The program, Don’t Cancel Class, developed by the Department of Sexual Assault Services and Crime Victim Assistance (SAS/CVA), dispatches SAS/CVA staff to the classroom to act as “instructors for a day,” informing students about the issues associated with dating violence, domestic violence and abuse, sexual violence, and other types of interpersonal violence, such as stalking.
The SAS/CVA office can tailor their presentations to the particular classroom.
“We taught an ‘Abnormal Psychology’ class and focused our lesson on the offender. For ‘Women, Culture, and Society,’ we looked at the history of violence against women,” said Ruth Anne Koenick, director of SAS/CVA. “Our research and knowledge can be applied to almost any course.”
Such flexibility has helped make Don’t Cancel Class an instant success. Partly funded by a grant from Verizon Wireless for mass mailings, Koenick and her colleagues started promoting the program to faculty in April 2006, and by spring of this year, SAS/CVA had substituted in nearly 70 classes on the New Brunswick Campus. Students and faculty are giving the program rave reviews. Some faculty and staff have added the SAS/CVA session to their regular curriculum, and others plan to attend the program themselves.
“Don’t Cancel Class was well received in my class,” said Ivana Brown who teaches “Sociology of the Family.” “Many of my students asked me how they could participate and get involved with violence issues. I was surprised at how many of my students had been affected by domestic violence.”
Students also are talking about the program. Some have asked the SAS/CVA staff to speak at their group meetings. Koenick was even approached by a student at a clothing store, who thanked her for the presentation.
“It has taken on a life of its own,” Koenick said. “It’s become bigger than we ever could have imagined.”
For Koenick and the rest of the SAS/CVA staff, letting the Rutgers community know there are services available is the ultimate goal of Don’t Cancel Class. “We want a chance to connect with people who don’t always know that we’re here,” Koenick said. “If you ever need us, this is where you come for help.”
For more information, or to book Don’t Cancel Class for a course, contact Koenick at 732-932-1181 or visit the SAS/CVA website.