Carleton University sent an email to all students asking for feedback on the first draft of the university’s sexual violence policy Oct. 6. The email leads to a page where students can say what they think about the policy. The deadline for students to give feedback on the policy is Oct. 28 and the second draft will be voted on by the university’s Board of Governors (BoG) on Dec. 1.
Asking all students for feedback is exactly what the university should be doing with a policy this important, but students’ comments need to be carefully considered and actually influence the next draft of the policy.
Moreover, with the deadline for student feedback being Oct. 28, it seems that the university is only giving itself one month to sift through the response given from the community. The university has also not been transparent with what exactly will be done with the feedback they will be receiving, as well as who will be looking through it.
While providing a unique opportunity for every single student on campus to give feedback, it is important for the university to expertly and carefully analyze the thoughts and concerns on this first draft of the policy. Additionally, they should not rush the process because community feedback is an important step in ensuring this policy is as reflective of the people it is meant to protect as possible.
Community feedback should be more than just a formality, but rather a defining step in the long and careful drafting of this policy.
