UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Penn State New Kensington released the results of a survey of students’ experiences with and attitudes about sexual misconduct today (April 13), including a finding that 3.1 percent of students reported being the victim of at least one instance or attempt of sexual assault. The results are part of a comprehensive University-wide survey conducted last fall.The Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey is part of a broad-based initiative by Penn State to significantly curtail sexual misconduct on all of its campuses, while at the same time expanding its efforts to ensure an effective response to any cases. The survey asked students about their experiences, as well as about their attitudes, and awareness of the resources available for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct.“The results of this survey are important in allowing us to understand the current climate and to continuing our battle against sexual misconduct. Ensuring the safety of all of our students across the Commonwealth is our priority,” said President Eric Barron. “We recognize that the needs of all campuses are not the same when it comes to addressing these unwanted behaviors. That is why this survey is such a crucial part of our ongoing efforts.  “I want to thank all of the students who took the time to complete the survey,” he said. “Your attention to this issue and your desire to stop sexual assault, harassment and violence on our campuses will help create a safer community. Sexual misconduct is a deeply troubling issue and this survey will play a vital role in evolving our policies and practices, as well as embedding our commitment to end sexual misconduct in everything we do.”  Implementing a campus climate survey was one of 18 recommendations made by the Task Force on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, which Barron appointed in 2014 to study the University’s resources for addressing sexual misconduct. The task force also was charged with making recommendations for areas to expand education on the issue and resources, and ways to reach out to students and the community. Many of those recommendations have already been enacted, including the creation of a University-wide Title IX office.At Penn State New Kensington, a census of 617 students received the survey, and the response rate was 26.1 percent. University-wide, a representative sample of 9,427 students completed the survey, including both undergraduates and graduate students. Completely anonymous, voluntary and completed electronically, the survey covered topics such as whether a student thinks the University would take a report of sexual misconduct seriously, whether the student is aware of resources available and whether they would walk a friend home who had had too much to drink.“I am proud of Penn State for being so proactive and open about this serious issue that is affecting college students across the country.  This survey is a huge step in helping us understand the climate on our own campus and across our University,” said Kevin Snider, chancellor of the New Kensington campus.  “We are pleased to see such high percentages of Penn State New Kensington students reporting a supportive and safe environment on campus and delighted that they have faith we will act when informed about an incidence of sexual misconduct. Yet, we also know that there is work ahead in developing programming, policies, and education if we are to become a campus completely free of this type of behavior. This survey will inform our activities and help us measure the impact of our efforts.” Summaries of the findings for each of the 23 Penn State campuses where students were surveyed, including Penn State New Kensington, can be found online at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/assessment/SMCS.At Penn State New Kensington, the survey also found:* 4.2 percent of women and 2.3 percent of men said they had been the victim of at least one instance of sexual assault or attempt;* Among students who said they had been a victim of sexual assault or attempt, 75 percent said they had used alcohol or drugs just prior to the incident; 62.5 percent said the perpetrator had used alcohol or drugs just prior to the incident;* 90.1 percent said the University would take a report of sexual misconduct seriously; * 82.6 percent said the University would handle the report fairly;* 17.8 percent said they “always” or “most of the time” walked a friend home who had too much to drink home from a party, bar or other social event if they had been a bystander in that situation.The survey itself was based on the Administration Researcher Campus Climate Collaborative (ARC3) survey, which was created based on suggestions from the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. Penn State’s survey was administered by the Office of Student Affairs Research and Assessment, which partnered with DatStat, a data research company the University has worked with on other survey projects.For more information about resources to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct at Penn State New Kensington, contact Wes Sheets, public safety manager, 724-334-6013 or wrs18@psu.eduThe Penn State survey confirmed an outside survey in January that ranked Penn State New Kensington as the sixth safest college campus in Pennsylvania in January. Niche, a company that surveys and reviews colleges nationwide, also ranked the campus 57th nationally.

The 2016 Safest College Campuses rankings were based on statistical data and student reviews of 1,713 public and private four-year colleges and universities. Using surveys and mandatory annual reports submitted by colleges, Niche compiled a list of seven factors that were used to determine the safest campuses. The factors included student surveys on safety, crime rates, local crime statistics, alcohol-related arrests and drug-related arrests. Also considered were freshmen retention rates and graduation rates.

For more information about the survey, see frequently asked questions.