Last Thursday, students and administrators gathered in the Admissions Presentation Room for a round table discussion on the University’s on-campus initiatives. During the event, the group discussed an upcoming sexual assault climate survey and stressed the need for administrative transparency and complainant anonymity when the University handles student complaints.

The event was held by the Student Union executive board and featured input from Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel, Vice President for Campus Operations Jim Gray, Sexual Assault Services and Prevention Specialist Sheila McMahon, Dean of Students Jamele Adams, Executive Director of Health and Wellness for the Psychological Counseling Center Michael LaFarr and Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes.

The group began by discussing the University’s current sexual assault policy, touching on the Faculty Report on Sexual Violence, which was recently made available to the public.

Flagel noted that the current process for a student who wishes to lodge a harassment or assault complaint and have it investigated is not “the most effective” it could be and noted that the slow timing of the process has been “challenging.”

McMahon discussed the sexual assault climate survey, which will collect data from students on experiences “in terms of victimization and how students feel about the general climate” in terms of sexual assault on campus. According to McMahon, the survey will be sent to the student body in late March.

“This is intended to be a tool so our community can really see what’s going on,” Flagel added. “The more students that participate, the more robust the outcome will be and the more we’ll be able to understand.”

Flagel also added that the survey could give administrators ideas for potential improvements around campus.“[T]he reality is that some of the best ideas we’ve had since I’ve been here have come from students,” he said. “I have not had great ideas; [the good ideas] come from you.”

The group also discussed the University’s current psychological counseling service.

“Students take on a lot of responsibility ... and sometimes … people take on things that are actually dangerous and scary. If someone has a friend who is suicidal or who displays self-harming behavior, this person is still expected to be a high-performing student and do all the things they need to do, but they’re exhausted from trying to support their friend,” McMahon said. “What I would love to see for this community is connecting students who need more support.”

Flagel also discussed how the University is attempting to improve the way it interacts with students so as to facilitate change and open discussion.“What I hear from our students—even the most frustrated ones—is an increasing confidence that there is a good will and intent to make things better,” he said.

Additionally, Flagel touched on the University’s initiative to improve understanding of foreign cultures and methods of interacting with students from different countries. He also discussed what he wishes to see in President Frederick Lawrence’s successor.

“Brandeis is a place where change is the norm,” he said. “What I hope we’ll see in this next presidency is a maintenance of that trajectory.”

The group also discussed upcoming renovations to Sherman Dining Hall and the bookstore, which will take place over the summer.

According to Gray, the University will be turning the Einstein Bros. Bagels in the Shapiro Campus Center into a full service café with a more expanded menu.

Gray also discussed the ongoing renovations to Usen Castle, which will be open for housing in the upcoming year, but which Gray says may not be open in subsequent years.

Gray mentioned the possibility of building two new classrooms in the Gerstenzang Science Library.