Gender Relations Center

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First-Year Student

A primary focus of GRC programming is to educate first-year students about significant issues facing students at Notre Dame, specifically in the areas of relationships, sex, sexuality and rape and sexual assault.  These programs include College HAS Issues: Hookups, Alcohol and Sexual Assault;  SPAR: Students Preventing Acquaintance Rape; and Physical Education and Wellness Contemporary Topics classes on sexuality and rape and sexual assault.  The GRC also assists with the Core Council CommUnity program.

• College HAS Issues: Hookups, Alcohol and Sexual Assault

Part of the mandatory University Orientation for all first-year students, College HAS Issues: Hookups, Alcohol and Sexual Assault educates about high-risk behaviors, prevention strategies and resources for survivors of rape and sexual assault. A student panel addresses  the choices that college students make to challenge myths about college culture, to prevent rape and sexual assault on campus, and to promote safety for all members of the Notre Dame community.

• SPAR: Students Preventing Acquaintance Rape

Frank discussion about campus culture, consent, acquaintance rape and bystander intervention is the focus of this pilot program, which is a follow-up to College HAS Issues.   It is single sex by residence hall and is facilitated by FIRE Starter peer educators for first-year students in their halls.

• CommUnity

Visit the Core Council website for more information on this program which promotes awareness and understanding of homosexuality within the Notre Dame community and encourages students to create a welcoming environment on campus regardless of sexual orientation.  Presenters include student members of the Core Council, allies, residence hall staff and administrators from the University.  The GRC’s FIRE Starter peer educators help facilitate the small group discussions.  

• Physical Education and Wellness Contemporary Topics: On Relationships

The Physical Education and Wellness classes aid first-year students in transition from high school to university life, addressing the unique demands placed on the students, as well as different dimensions of wellness.  The GRC curriculum for Contemporary Topics, On Relationships: Sexuality and Rape and Sexual Assault, features two short films of Notre Dame students discussing sexuality and rape and sexual assault on campus.  First-year students will have a chance to process the material in small groups during two class periods.