APRIL 3, 2023 — Every April UTSA initiates a Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign featuring a wide variety of events. This year's theme is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity” and features opportunities for Roadrunners to learn more about UTSA's culture of responsibility, discover support services, and get involved on campus.
These programs aim to empower survivors, promote awareness and support of the survivor community and make the campus safer for everyone.
Share Your Support
The first Tuesday of every April is SAAM Day of Action, an opportunity to start the month with highly visible and coordinated actions. SAAM Day of Action is the perfect opportunity to plan an event, post SAAM-related social media content, or participate in the #30DaysofSAAM.
Take a few minutes to visit the PEACE Center at the Start by Believing table at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5 on the Student Union Rowdy Lawn to pledge that you will “Start by Believing” when a survivor of sexual violence discloses to you.
Roadrunners are also encouraged to stop by the PEACE Center’s RAINN Day display on Wednesday, April 12 on the Student Union Rowdy Lawn to decorate an umbrella panel with encouraging words for individuals affected by sexual violence.
Workshops and Special Events
April 4 and April 25, 5:50 to 7:40 p.m.
Campus Recreation, Blue Studio (RWC 2.210)
Engage with the UTSA Police Department as it teaches participants simple self-defense movements and safety tips to keep themselves safer while in the San Antonio Community.
Wednesday, April 5, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Student Union Retama Auditorium (SU 2.02.02)
Sex Talk 2.0 is a safe space for students to ask questions about sex, personal health, and well-being. This event features a panel of experts and a resource fair that follows with community and campus partners.
What Were You Wearing? Opening Reception
Friday, April 7, beginning at 2 p.m.
Student Union, Gallery 23
When sexual violence occurs, the first question many survivors are asked is, “What were you wearing?” This exhibit challenges the myth that sexual violence occurs because of the clothing someone wears. Take time to read the personal stories of individuals affected by sexual violence while the exhibition is on display from April 3 to April 27. For more information, contact the PEACE Center.
Behaviors and Boundaries Lunch and Learn
Monday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
H-E-B Student Union 2.214
The Peace Center and Wellbeing Services will host an informative and interactive Behaviors and Boundaries Lunch and Learn focused on behaviors that can lead to sexual violence, dating/domestic violence, and stalking and why it is necessary to have boundaries.
Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14, times vary
Campus Recreation, Rowdy Studio (RWC 2.234)
Take some time to connect with your mind and body by attending Restorative Yoga on at Campus Recreation. Restorative Yoga focuses on the individual’s own experiences, building a safe practice to work on health and wellness using the body’s beautiful capacity to heal from the inside out. No registration is required.
Friday, April 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ART 2.02.16
The UTSA Survivors Faculty & Staff Alliance will host a workshop for survivors and allies, led by staff and faculty members Madison Cowles Serna and Alán Serna. Brought to Light will encourage participants to create a cyanotype with provided materials to exercise their own empowerment or support of survivors. Participants will have the option to exhibit the finished works afterward on the third floor of the Art Building. Spots are limited, so registration is required.
Wednesday, April 19, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Student Union 2.01.20
Decorate jeans and denim with the Peace Center that will be displayed on April 26 for Denim Day. All jeans and decorating supplies will be provided.
Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training
Thursday, April 13, and Thursday, April 27, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Virtual Event
Green Dot is an anti-violence, bystander intervention program that engages witnesses to interrupt potentially high-risk situations to promote a culture of respect. At UTSA, Green Dot provides training to help students understand strategies and tools they can use to prevent power-based personal violence on campus. Contact the PEACE Center to reserve your spot.
Additional Resources
Advocacy Services in the PEACE Center:
The PEACE Center provides confidential advocacy services to all Roadrunners who have experienced issues related to sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence, stalking, or other sexual misconduct. PEACE Center Advocates provide consultations about reporting options and support to those navigating institutional and/or community processes. Advocates address survivors' physical, emotional, and academic needs to help them heal and prevent further violence.
How to Report and Find Support:
UTSA wants everyone to be aware of their options for reporting sexual violence and instances of misconduct. Survivors are encouraged to report and seek immediate support so that we can work together to keep the experience from impeding their goals.
As a campus community, UTSA has made significant progress in raising awareness, improving transparency, and implementing critical prevention and remediation measures against sexual violence and misconduct. The Roadrunner community is striving to be a national model for preventing sexual violence.
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The Secular Student Alliance is proud to present guest speaker Dave Troiano, Board Secretary for the Greater Houston Chapter Americans United for Separation of Church and State. This event will emphasize how reproductive health care is intertwined with separation of church and state.
Student Union, Willow (2.02.12)This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
