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‘U’ sexual assault results Ex-SAM placed in national context COURTS
AAU data shows survivors of sexual assault unlikely to report crime By ALLANA AKHTAR Daily Staff Reporter
About 30 percent of undergraduate women at the University reported experiencing nonconsensual penetration or sexual touching by force or incapacitation during their time at the University, a new report released Monday found. Nationwide, the figure was 23.1 percent. Of University students who experienced nonconsensual penetration involving physical force, 76.8 percent of them did not
report the crime. These findings come from a set of data released by the Association of American Universities, which surveyed 28 top research universities, including the University. Of all students who said they did not report their experience of sexual misconduct, 37.4 percent said it was because they didn’t think anything would be done about it. Of all students surveyed, 40.2 percent indicated it was extremely or very likely that campus officials would conduct a fair investigation of a reported instance of sexual misconduct. Nationwide, 11.7 percent of surveyed college students experienced nonconsensual sexual contact as a result of force or incapacitation, according to the survey. The figure was 14.6 percent at the University. Nationally, 50 percent of
students who experienced sexual misconduct said they did not report the incident because they didn’t consider it serious enough. Of University students surveyed, 30.3 percent of undergraduate women at the University reported experiencing nonconsensual penetration or sexual touching by force or incapacitation during their time at the University. Nationwide, the figure was 23.1 percent. Holly Rider-Milkovich, director the University’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, said the survey data will help inform the University’s approach to sexual misconduct. “With regard to some areas of nonconsensual sexual behavior, our numbers are higher than the aggregate data, while in other areas we are consistent with it,” she said. “But in all cases, the
numbers are too high and we are committed to continuing to address the issue of sexual misconduct. The data from these surveys are critical to our work. The more we know about our community, the better we are able to tailor our programs to be most effective.” The AAU survey results come several months after the University released its own sexual assault report in June. The University’s data showed 22.5 percent of female students were sexually assaulted during their time at the school. The AAU survey did point to consistencies with the University’s own survey results — namely that most instances of sexual assault occurred after verbal pressure, under the influence of drugs or when too drunk to stop what was See SURVEY, Page 3
member to face fines, probation Alum sentenced on vandalism charge after ski trip By ALLANA AKHTAR and ISOBEL FUTTER Daily Staff Reporters
Matthew Vlasic, one of four former fraternity members charged in connec-
ACADEMICS
By GENEVIEVE HUMMER Daily Staff Reporter
Senate Assembly members voiced overwhelming support for a proposal floated last week to increase the number of classes scheduled on Fridays. The straw poll — which isn’t binding — was conducted at Monday’s meeting of the Senate Assembly. Classical Studies Prof. David Potter, chair of the body’s Student Relations Advisory Committee, said the committee has discussed the possibility of increasing the number of Friday morning classes in response to excessive alcohol consumption among students. “The number of lecture classes for first- and second-year classes that occur with a Friday section
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have declined significantly in the course of the last couple of years which has really led to a much more intensive culture of student drinking on what is now known as ‘thirsty Thursday,’ ” Potter said. The issue was first raised at a Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs meeting last week, and was brought to the full Senate Assembly on Monday. In an interview last week with The Michigan Daily, University Provost Martha Pollack said she supported the idea of having more classes on Fridays, and noted that schools and colleges are already encouraged to hold 15 percent of their classes on that day. Specifically, the committee suggested the central administration mandate 100and 200-level courses with 10 sections or more have a required lecture on Friday. Potter said while the decision to hold more Friday classes will not alleviate dangerous campus drinking entirely, it is a step in See ASSEMBLY, Page 3
See SENTENCE, Page 3
GOVERNMENT
Faculty discuss Friday classes, student data Senate Assembly straw poll shows support for more Friday lectures
tion with damages inflicted on a Northern Michigan ski resort, was sentenced Monday to two years of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine, according to Otsego County Prosecutor Michael Rola. Vlasic, former member of the University’s chapter
Rep. Irwin proposes bill to legalize marijuana
DELANEY RYAN/Daily
Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor recognized September as Recovery Month at the Ann Arbor City Council meeting Monday.
City Council allocates funds to maintain MCity facilities Members also consider zoning change, snow removal policy By LEA GIOTTO Daily Staff Reporter
With a unanimous vote, the Ann Arbor City Council approved a resolution to enter
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into an agreement with the University’s Board of Regents that requires the City to contribute to the maintenance of MCity — Ann Arbor’s automated vehicle testing facility that opened in July. This contract will make way for the appropriation of $79,252 in federal funds to Mcity. The city of Ann Arbor will contribute to the project by helping to sustain the test environment by maintaining
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existing equipment, providing network support and enhancing the facility as needed for additional research efforts. The resolution approves Ann Arbor’s participation in a cooperative agreement between the University’s Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and the Federal Highway Association, part of the goal of seeking “external partners to upgrade and leverage the test See COUNCIL, Page 3
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Wholesale excise tax on industry could generate millions in state revenue By SAMANTHA WINTNER Daily Staff Reporter
State Rep. Jeff Irwin (D–Ann Arbor) introduced legislation Thursday that aims to legalize and tax the private use of marijuana for Michiganders who are 21 and older. The Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Act — House Bill 4877 — would allow Michigan residents to grow a limited amount of marijuana plants in their own homes for their own consumption. Under the legislation, only licensed dispensaries would be able to sell marijuana to the public. Amounts of one ounce or less can be transferred between individuals if no payment is exchanged. In an interview, Irwin said See BILL, Page 2
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