October 21, 2024
Dear Members of the Yale Community,
Last April, we invited all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to participate in the 2024 Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Misconduct and Resource Awareness. Yale was one of ten institutions of higher education to offer the survey, which followed earlier iterations led by the Association of American Universities in 2015 and 2019. We have now received the 2024 survey results and have published this data on the Title IX website.
Side by side, the survey data from the past nine years indicates some progress. I am encouraged to see a decline in the overall estimated prevalence of sexual assault experienced by students, with a particular decrease among women students. There has also been a steady increase in students’ utilization of campus resources. Yet, the survey also revealed concerning trends in other areas, including increases in rates of intimate partner violence and stalking.
Even in areas of progress, the rate of sexual misconduct estimated by the survey and the profound harm caused to members of our community is troubling and unacceptable. Excellence in education, research, and practice and the thriving intellectual life of our campus community—all an integral part of Yale’s mission—depend on a culture of respect and inclusion, where everyone feels safe and supported. Sexual misconduct cannot and will not be tolerated in any form.
Our work in analyzing and responding to this survey data is just beginning—and we need your help. Data and statistics give us a sense of the issues, but conversations and engagement with the university community will allow us to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the campus climate and what students are experiencing, helping to inform our actions and the development of additional resources.
To this end, President McInnis and Vice President Goff-Crews have charged me with creating a working group of students, faculty, and staff to further examine the survey results and produce recommendations. The Title IX Office will also be meeting with deans from across the university to discuss school-specific results and local initiatives that can help drive change, and we will continue to partner with schools and units to offer trainings. As an additional measure, the Title IX Office will be available to provide briefings to departments and student organizations on the survey and our ongoing efforts to combat sexual misconduct.
As we take these next steps, I encourage you to reach out to TitleIX@yale.edu to request a briefing, to provide input on campus climate, and to share your ideas. I also wish to remind all members of the Yale community of the resources that are available to anyone who has been affected by sexual misconduct, including options for reporting, programs providing a range of support, and the SHARE Center.
I am grateful to every student who provided feedback through the survey, to all those who have offered their thoughts through other channels, and to everyone who shares in our commitment to eradicating sexual misconduct at Yale. Together, we will build a stronger campus community in which everyone feels safe, respected, and supported.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Conklin
Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging
University Title IX Coordinator