This is her full quote.
“The goal would be to end that, to never have another sexual assault. That’s probably not a realistic goal just given human nature …”
She is a good administrator (she has served at two of my alma maters - Purdue and Iowa). I don't think her quote reflects a tolerance policy. It does reflect that the things that are left to be done to reach zero sexual assaults would involve such a level of infringements on the rights of students that it would not be tolerated (and even then would not be possible). I take this issue pretty seriously since my daughter is going to Iowa State next year, and Iowa was her second choice college (had been her first choice up to last year). Since 25% of women have reported that they were victims of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, it shows that reaching such a level is impossible. The number of reports of sexual assault on campus (8 this year for Iowa) is also a reflection on how seriously the university takes the reporting requirement.
In a number of cases at Iowa the victim has refused to file a police report. This makes punishing the assailant difficult. All Iowa State students are required to take Title IX training (76 slides long) that discusses these issues. I suspect Iowa students take the same training. I have seen no evidence supporting any violations of the Clery Act. I asked about on campus safety when we visited and they mentioned the call boxes placed across the campus, the fact the buses are will call after hours, and that an escort service has been established.
The training discusses things like being sure to always have your drink secured, several different reporting mechanisms including through the Title IX coordinator and the Office of Civil Rights. It gives at least ten different resources for students to contact. It discusses resources if you feel you are being harassed or stalked. It discusses what is acceptable behavior (see below):
If I was told my job relied on having zero sexual assaults on campus, I would do the following:
1. Separate men's and women's dorms with no visitation allowed except in common rooms. Still not 100% since you can have same sex assaults.
2. No double rooms. All rooms single with a shower in a bathroom. No visitors allowed in rooms. All visits have to be in monitored common areas.
3. No alcohol allowed on campus. Honor code violation if alcohol consumed by students leading to expulsion. No exceptions. Same for other drugs.
4. Close the Greek system and varsity sports programs down. One Greek house that had an assault at Iowa was given the death penalty in the last year.
5. Increase the security on campus. A security guard or patrolling camera covering every sq. foot of space including common areas in dorms. Fence and gate the university. Do not allow students off campus unless escorted. Scan in bathrooms at all locations. No unescorted visitors.
6. Anyone with a criminal record involving harassment, assaults or greater not allowed to be a student or work at the university.
These are steps in addition to the ones the university is already taken. There would be no public support for such policies. I would not mind sending my daughter to such a university, but I am not sure I could afford it.
Consent as Defined in the Iowa State University Policy
Sexual intimacy requires that all participants consent to the activity. Consent between two or more people is defined as an affirmative agreement--through clear actions or words--to engage in sexual activity. The person giving the consent must act freely, voluntarily, and with an understanding of his or her actions when giving the consent. Lack of protest or resistance does not constitute consent, nor does silence mean consent has been given. Relying solely on non-verbal communication can lead to misunderstanding. Persons who want to engage in the sexual activity are responsible for obtaining consent--it should never be assumed. A prior relationship or prior sexual activity is not sufficient to demonstrate consent.
Consent must be present throughout the sexual activity--at any time, a participant can communicate that he or she no longer consents to continuing the activity. If there is confusion as to whether anyone has consented or continues to consent to sexual activity, it is essential that the participants stop the activity until the confusion can be clearly resolved.
In addition, under Iowa law the following people are unable to give consent:
Persons who are asleep or unconscious
Persons who are incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication (see "Resource Links" below for Iowa Code Section 709.1A, Incapacitation)
Persons who are unable to communicate consent due to a mental or physical condition
Generally, minors under the age of 16 (see "Resource Links" below for Iowa Code Section 709.4 regarding minors giving consent to sexual activity)
*Iowa State Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Assault, and Sexual Harassment Involving Students
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