Tomorrow, for the first time in 16 years, Penn State University and University of Pittsburgh’s football teams will play each other, reviving a storied inter-state rivalry.
Ahead of the much-anticipated game, Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher and Penn State President Eric Barron are joining Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to promote It’s On Us PA – a statewide campaign that invites everyone to play a role in ending sexual assault.
“When it comes to ending campus sexual assault, we are not Panthers or Nittany Lions – we are united as Pennsylvanians,” Governor Wolf said. “Pennsylvania is home to some of the best schools and athletic programs in the country, and sexual assault should not be part of any student’s experience. Ensuring our students’ safety and well-being is paramount not only to their success, but the success of Pennsylvania as a whole. I urge students and supporters of Penn State, Pitt and schools across the commonwealth to take the pledge and help Pennsylvania end sexual assault.”
Pennsylvanians can take the pledge to end sexual assault at governor.pa.gov/its-on-us/.
“Penn State supports the “It’s On Us” campaign and we truly believe that this requires the utmost serious attention and dedication of our entire University,” said Penn State President Barron. “We have a zero tolerance policy, and stand with our peers across Pennsylvania to lead the way in addressing sexual violence within the Commonwealth and in American higher education.”
“There is no place at the University of Pittsburgh for sexual assault, violence or harassment. We know that it’s on all of us, as administrators, students, fans, coaches, faculty, student-athletes, and as members of the Pitt community to take action to discourage and respond to misconduct.” Pitt Chancellor Gallagher said. “Pitt is proud to have participated in the ‘It’s On Us’ campaign since its inception, having gathered more than 5000 pledges from individuals committed to joining in this effort. We are working to eliminate sexual misconduct and we encourage all Pennsylvanians to join us.”
The specific goals of “It’s On Us PA” are to:
· Improve awareness, prevention, reporting, and response systems in schools, colleges and universities to better serve all students.
· Remove/reduce barriers that prevent survivors from reporting and/or accessing vital resources by creating a more consistent, empowering reporting process for student survivors of gender based violence.
· Demonstrate significant, proactive, and sustainable leadership to change campus culture by challenging Pennsylvania’s education leaders – including college and university presidents, superintendents – as well as students, teachers, faculty, staff, families, and communities to pledge to improve their institutions’ climate.