Blue Ribbon Task Force

SDSU President Adela de la Torre announced in January 2023 the formation of the Blue Ribbon Task Force. The task force group, forming in Spring 2023, is charged with assessing the problem of gender-based violence nationally within collegiate environments. Members are charged with identifying recommendations and other practices to support survivors at all levels, and to also recommend systems to address gender-based violence on college campuses. Members will include students, staff, faculty, administrators and community members. 

Purpose and Activities 

The group is charged with addressing the following:

• Reviewing current sexual harassment policies, procedures and training;
• Recommending strategies to improve the communication and transparency of these policies, procedures and training programs;
• Recommending opportunities to expand and improve the effectiveness of training and prevention efforts; and
• Considering how we can improve the way we care for our community members who are impacted by sexual harassment or gender-based violence. 

Who can serve as a volunteer member?

Desirable characteristics for members of the task force include the following:

• Understand the role of a trauma-informed practice in responding to specific needs of survivors and in supporting survivors. 
• Recognize that gender-based violence can impact anyone – of any gender, age, or position within an organization – while also attending to the unique conditions of members of our community who are LGBTQ and/or military-affiliated. 
• An understanding of power differentials, and recognition that gender-based violence and surrounding issues are structural, institutional, statewide, and national. 
• A commitment to identifying recommendations and solutions that seek to address gender-based violence, including prevention and bystander intervention/reporting. 

What are the responsibilities of members? 

Task force members are charged with: 

• Attending meetings and participating in discussions;
• Advising on data-gathering strategies, especially on campus;
• Helping to develop a database of best practices for preventing and addressing campus-based GBV;
• Reviewing current sexual-harassment and assault policies, procedures and training;
• Recommending strategies to improve the communication and transparency of these policies, procedures and training programs;
• Recommending opportunities to expand and improve the effectiveness of training and prevention efforts; and
• Considering how we can improve the way we care for our community members who are impacted by sexual harassment or gender-based violence.

Members will be required to attend in-person meetings (dates to be confirmed) in Spring 2023, an in-person meeting at the start of Fall 2023, and monthly meetings (both virtual and in-person) to be held throughout the 2023-24 academic year. 

What is the term of service for members?

Contingent upon a member's student status or faculty appointment, the term expectation will span 18 months to 2 years.

Task Force Members

Monica J. Casper, Ph.D. 
Chair of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Gender-Based Violence 
Special Assistant to the President on Gender-Based Violence

Task force members will be nominated and selected before Summer 2023. 

University Resources

If you or someone you know is in danger or needs immediate help, call 911.

If you are not in immediate danger but still need support, San Diego State University is here to help you. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence or stalking, you can connect with support and guidance, to include confidential support.