McClain declares UHM 'rape-free zone'

The bluelight phones are one of UH Monoa's existing security measure. Photo by UH Journalism students

By Elysa Rosso and Marques Furumoto

University of Hawai’i at Manoa Acting President David McClain recently pledged to build a safe learning environment and to establish UHM as a “Rape-Free Zone.”

“This is a strong symbol of commitment for the university to make safety and security a priority of our administration and to raise the level of safety upon each of our attending campuses,” said McClain.

To put those words into effect, McClain has met regularly with university chancellors and concerned community members.

He also has devised steps to increase safety at UHM. His plan includes increasing the budget for security improvements.

“It is clear that security enhancements are essential for the safety and peace of mind of our students, faculty, staff and the community-at-large,” said McClain. “As part of this commitment, I have required that each of our campus chancellors commit a minimum of five percent of new funds available in the upcoming biennium to be utilized for security improvements.”
    
For the UHM campus, that five percent would mean a minimum of $991,900 over the next two fiscal years. According to McClain, the chancellors have allotted a budget closer to $2.1 million.
    
Because budgets will vary by campus, the focus of security improvement will also differ by location. “We’re really relying on each campus to focus on what their particular needs are,” said McClain.

Proposed changes for UHM include nighttime lighting enhancements, security cameras, magnetic card swipes and locks, improvements to landscaping and new uniforms for on-campus security personnel.
      
“Our security officers have new uniforms that better convey their status as law enforcers on our campus,” said UH Manoa Chancellor Denise Konan.
    
Currently, campus security only has the right to detain suspects. However, UHM is planning to introduce new legislation that would allow security to have arrest authority.
  
The UH system executive and managerial personnel were required to attend a sexual awareness program on Sept. 8. Nationally recognized speaker and trainer Jackson Katz was brought in by Girl Fest Hawaii, a local organization that strives to prevent violence against women through education and art.
    
The administration is also fighting sexual harassment by taking a stronger stance in controlling the amount of alcohol consumption on campus, particularly for the underage students living in dorms.
    
“We are seeing that alcohol is a safety issue for our students,” said Chancellor Konan.
    
One change is keeping the underage students separated from those who are over 21. The Noelani dorms, which are “alcohol-free,” have no students over the age of 21 living there.
    
“That’s a big step in maintaining an alcohol free presence at the dorms,” said Konan.
    
Dorm residents who violate the new alcohol policy will initially face a warning, but could ultimately be removed form the dorms.
    
Although Konan is determined to make UHM a healthier and safer campus, she is also concerned with maintaining a positive school spirit, especially among dorm residents.
    
“I’m quite interested in talking with dorm students about alternative kinds of activities,” Konan said. “It’s one thing to say that we’re taking a stronger stance on alcohol, but we also want to promote fun and to promote student life,” Konan added.
    
McClain is also relying heavily on the community to help build a safe environment for students.

“If anyone hears something going on nearby, we all need to take responsibility for each other’s safety,” said McClain. “We know that campus security is committed to doing a good job, but they can’t do it alone. They really need the support of the community.”

University officials are hopeful that there will be no repeat of incidents such as the kidnapping and rape of a Kapiolani Community College student last spring.

“What we’re hopeful of here is that by raising this issue more publicly, we’re going to have our entire community more actively involved in really taking care of each other,” said McClain.

“We’ve made some progress since the sexual assaults that occurred in or near the Manoa campus in late March that triggered this discussion of greater intensity,” McClain said. “This is an issue that will require continued attention as we move forward, and I can guarantee you that it is my administration’s intent to give it our continued attention and priority.”

For more information, see Girl Fest's www.rapefreezone.org.