University Health Services moved a step closer yesterday to being able to examine students for evidence of sexual assault at a budget meeting discussing "high priority needs" for campus life.
In the 2004-2005 budget, Health Services will request money for the first time for nurses and equipment to conduct "rape kits" on campus, in which a sexually assaulted student is examined to collect evidence that can be used in court, University officials said.
"Health Services has identified many critical unmet needs," said Vice President for Campus Life Janet Dickerson, who met with Provost Amy Gutmann yesterday to discuss funding priorities. "This is the first time that a formal request for funding to pay for the sexual assault examination would be made as part of its [budget] request."
Women's groups and sexual health staff have pressured the University for several years to perform "rape kits" on campus because they believe the current situation — a required 40-minute car ride to a hospital in New Brunswick for students seeking an examination — has dissuaded students from having evidence collected. Only one has gone to New Brunswick in three years, they said.
University budget committees will meet next month to formalize requests and then submit a budget for President Tilghman's approval in January.
'Highest priority'
"Last year, a large fraction of the resources available to the [budget] committee were allocated to meet the highest priority needs in Health Services," Vice Provost Joanne Mitchell said.
In a 2001 survey, 0.6 percent of students reported being victims of sexual assault, but campus health officials believe the number is probably higher.
About 20 percent of college-age students nationwide report being victims of assault.
Dickerson declined to discuss the other priority budget requests.
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