University re-evaluates size of SHARE, considers further cutbacks

Still reeling from administrative cutbacks two years ago, volunteers at the Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education, SHARE, are re-addressing the need for new staff and a larger role on campus.

Yet after intense lobbying by the group to bolster the program, the administration is considering even more cutbacks — threatening the program's only paid position.

SHARE — a University program that works to provide education on sexual violence — is staffed by one full-time director, who will be leaving next year. The job description for the replacement coordinator advertises a part-counselor, part-coordinator position in which "at least 50-percent duty time will be devoted to SHARE and outreach activities with the remaining duty time devoted to general clinical work."

SHARE peer educators have expressed concern that a "half-and-half" position will not focus enough on SHARE's current outreach level and might decrease available services.

"It's really important that students know their options," said Saloni Doshi '03, a SHARE peer educator. "Whoever is hired – it's essential that SHARE is their first priority."

According to Dean Janet Dickerson, Vice President for Student Life, the proposed cutbacks are the result of a recent administrative review that found that SHARE was not receiving the same number of cases as the rest of the counseling center. The review began amid budget concerns, but is part of a broader effort to improve student health services, said Dickerson.

"The administration believes that because of the relatively small case load SHARE has seen, the office should be reduced," said Brooke Friedman, '01, organizer of the past two Take Back the Night marches. "But as we saw at Take Back the Night, these small numbers do not reflect the prevalence of sexual violence in the lives of Princeton students."

In response to SHARE's imminent merge, Doshi explained, "The important thing is that SHARE doesn't get lost in the counseling center. This campus has a tendency to silence sexual harassment and assault as an issue, and a program like SHARE is necessary to raise awareness and to let students know what their options are."

However, the administration is not closed to suggestions. A number of e-mails and letters to Dickerson have made clear students' apprehensions at the proposed cutback.

In response, Dickerson has expressed concern over the issue of sexual violence.

"It is not my intention to immediately change things this summer. I see this as an experiment," Dickerson said. "If things don't seem like they will work, I will work to prepare an argument for the Priorities Committee and the Provost to make sure that we get the positions we need."

Besides providing education on issues of sexual harassment and sexual violence, the group also assists the University in drafting new policies and procedures about sexual harassment and assault.

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As part of its outreach program, SHARE trains peer educators to speak, consult and facilitate discussion at eating clubs, RA groups, sororities and other campus organizations. It also provides services for survivors of sexual harassment or sexual violence, including counseling, education and advising on legal and disciplinary options.

SHARE was created in 1987 by student request. It was endorsed by then-Provost Neil Rudenstine '56 after the first annual Take Back The Night March was harassed by men yelling obscenities and throwing beers at marchers.

In 1990, 29 students staged a 33-hour sit-in in President Shapiro's office, demanding additional staffing for SHARE after faculty a member charged with sexually harassing a male graduate student received only a one-year suspension.

By 1992, the SHARE office was staffed with a full-time director and administrative assistant, and an additional part-time counselor/outreach coordinator. Two years ago, the program was put under the umbrella of the general counseling center, and the staff was cut to one full-time position.