Welcome address to the national Training and Assistance Institute to Combat Violence against Women on Campuses
The University of Texas at Austin
March 20, 2002
On behalf of the entire University of Texas community, I welcome you all to our campus. It is our privilege to host these workshop sessions and to give our institution's utmost support to those of you who are engaged in the admirable work of eliminating violent crimes against women on this campus and campuses nationwide. This is a subject very important to me -- not only as a university president but as the father of a daughter who graduated from college only two years ago. I have a twofold interest in your success. First, as a parent who feels that a university experience must be as safe and nurturing as it is educational. And second, as the head of the largest university in the country, I have the responsibility for ensuring that our students enjoy university life in a secure, welcoming, tolerant environment. Nothing less will be acceptable to me, my colleagues, or to the institution that we represent.
It is crucial that every university in this country provide adequate information about campus safety and proper law enforcement protection to the young female students who attend our schools. But violence against women, whether on campus, in fraternity and sorority houses, or in the home, is not exclusively a "women's issue" to be discussed and challenged by women alone. It is very important that the young men on this campus, and men everywhere in our culture, become allies in the effort to eradicate violence, to support victims and the abused, and to collaborate in educating their peers, raising awareness, and addressing the problems that many women face. I would like to see every young man on the UT campus become a friend and partner of the initiatives advanced here today.
It's edifying to see so many students participating in these workshops. My congratulations to all the recipients of the Department of Justice grants. I wish you much success in your endeavors to reduce violent crimes against women on campuses. This conference is providing an excellent opportunity for you to come together and share ideas, discuss issues, and to hear from those who have firsthand experience. These steps are essential in order to effect change.
UT began implementing its Department of Justice grant exactly one year ago this month (March 2001), and I am proud of our leaders for their hard work. The University wishes to thank Jane Bost, the project director and proposal writer who brought the initiative to our campus; to thank Pam Cook, who coordinates the day-to-day implementation; to thank Christina LeCluyse, who runs the advocacy services with our departments, residence halls, and with the courts and local agencies; and to thank Cecilia Allen for her administrative support. This staff has reached out with important educational programs, provided counseling, collected data about incidents on our campus, and trained their peers. They have also worked with the UT campus police in offering self-defense classes and have increased the number of emergency call boxes on campus and the University apartments. Our entire community owes them our appreciation, and we thank them for their good work.
UT is an appropriate place to host these proceedings. Our involvement in counseling and protective services for women dates back to 1974, when the University and the city of Austin collaborated in founding the first rape crisis center in Texas and among the first in the country. Three years later the first center for battered women was created in Austin, also one of the first of its kind in the nation. In 1998 the two centers joined allegiance to become SafePlace, and I am proud to say that between 40 - 50% of the volunteer staff of SafePlace has been comprised of UT students. My wife, Mary Ann, serves on the board of SafePlace and is deeply supportive of the work that is being done there. SafePlace has played a key role in developing the current grant to address violence against women and serves as a primary community partner with the UT Voices Against Violence Project. I might also add that one of UT's graduates in Social Work, Ellen Fisher, created the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which is headquartered here in Austin and was recognized by President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore during their administration. Both Hillary Clinton and Secretary Dona Shalala visited the phone bank when they were in Austin. This University is proud of its many students and graduates who have dedicated their lives to making a better, safer, more fulfilling life for women who have been victimized by violence, intimidation, and fear.
Let me conclude by quoting from the great Barbara Jordan, who spent the last 17 years of her life teaching in the LBJ School across campus. Barbara Jordan gave keynote speeches at two Democratic National Conventions, the second time in New York City in 1992. In that speech she said, “The 20th century will not close without women’s presence being keenly felt.”
She was correct, as always. And I would add that the 21st century will not progress without women's leadership being keenly recognized and respected. The young women on our campuses today are the presidents and principals and CEOs of tomorrow. We are all here today to ensure that violence is eliminated from the vocabulary of their success -- and that every young woman in this nation embraces enlightenment instead of fear, and experiences the infinite possibilities of a future of their own choosing. This is the life I want for my daughter, and for every young woman in this great land.
Thank you again for coming. There is much to learn, and there are many voices to hear today.
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