Nova Southeastern University is committed to ensuring that we provide a safe campus environment for all of our students to be able to learn, free from discrimination. In addition to information provided in new student orientation, NSU provides primary prevention education in the form of an interactive online training course Voices for Change. This training covers the campus sexual misconduct policy, definitions of violations and related sex crimes, NSU’s policies and procedures after an incident occurs, and information on bystander intervention and risk reduction.
All new students, faculty, and staff to complete this training within their first 30 days on campus.
Below are some common questions we anticipate you might have as you engage with the online training. Should you find that your concerns aren't addressed by this list, please feel free to email titleIX@nova.edu with your question.
To promote an environment of safety, civility, and respect, it is critical that all members of the university community are appropriately educated about behaviors which might implicate the university’s sexual misconduct policy; strategies for preventing sexual violence; and how to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct which impacts members of the NSU community. NSU intends to produce graduates across a multitude of professional disciplines who are keenly suited to address inappropriate behaviors and language which perpetuate sex discrimination and sexual violence. Ultimately, you should take this training because it will make you a more competent professional in any complex and diverse work environment and a thoroughly informed member of the NSU community.
Newly enrolled NSU students will receive an email from Laura Bennett (TitleIX@nova.edu) with a link allowing them to can access the training as a course. If you have difficulty accessing the course or don’t receive the email TitleIX@nova.edu .
The online training is estimated to take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. This estimated time frame presumes that the coursework is the user’s singular focus and does not account for the myriad of distractions that many of us face on a daily basis. The training will pause if you try to multitask while completing it, which will extend the time it takes for you to complete it. For some users, the training may take longer to complete than estimated.
Please be advised, you do not need to complete it all at one time. Your progress is saved after each section. It is recommended that you return to the training via the emailed link, as opposed to relying on your browser history.
Yes. The training saves your progress after each section so you can take breaks and pick up where you left off. You do not need to complete the training in one sitting.
When you have finished the course, you will receive a certificate of completion via email. If your academic program requires you to take the course you can forward this certificate directly to them.
Yes. The online training addresses the university’s sexual misconduct policy; strategies for preventing sexual violence; and how to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct which impacts members of the NSU community. The content – like the university sexual misconduct policy – is applicable to all NSU campuses, programs, and educational platforms, regardless of geographic location, so all NSU students should participate in the training.
Yes. As a student employee, you are uniquely positioned to influence campus climate and culture related to issues implicating the university’s sexual misconduct policy. You also bear a responsibility of reporting to the Title IX Coordinator any conduct or behaviors which may amount to a violation of the university sexual misconduct policy. This training will provide you with a strong foundational understanding of the concerning behaviors which warrant reporting, resources and support services made available to those persons impacted by sexual misconduct, and strategies for effective bystander intervention. Your supervisor may also require that you complete additional training specific to your employment.
If you cannot find the invitation email in your inbox, please check your Junk and Archived folders. If you did not receive the email or cannot locate the course, please contact titleIX@nova.edu from your NSU email account.
This training is distinct from any in-person sexual harassment or sexual violence prevention training you may have attended at NSU. In-person trainings are available to address unique needs, as a follow up to this training or to engage in a more in-depth discussion on a particular topic, and can be catered to your student group or organization. Contact titleIX@nova.edu if you would like to schedule one of these for your organization.
This training is mandatory for all students – independent of their employment status with the university. There are substantive differences between the content presented in this training and the employee training. Specifically, the employee training focused a great deal on your responsibilities as a university employee. This training, while acknowledging responsibilities possessed by all students, focuses on the rights that you maintain as an enrolled student within our community.
Ultimately, we want you to complete this training as it will be a benefit to your experience as a student and will support the university’s aim to meet and exceed federal compliance mandates related to student education.
NSU certainly appreciates the concern about a new training obligation at the start of a new semester. Nevertheless, it is imperative that every member of the university community receive education to support the prevention of sexual misconduct. Fortunately, the training will not take very much of your time (no more than 30-45 min) and it needn’t be completed all in one sitting. We believe the information is important for all new members of our NSU community, so we hope that you will complete it within your first 30 days as a student.
Again, NSU can appreciate the stressors associated with a rigorous course load. As you progress in your chosen discipline, though, it is expected that you will come to find value in having encountered this training content early on. Other universities and workplaces have similar training requirements.
The training is designed for a broad audience and individuals with experience working with victims/survivors of sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence were involved in designing it. It can be completed in a private setting or with a family member or supportive person nearby. The information is important for you to have, so if you find yourself having an adverse reaction due to a recent incident or other reason, you can contact NSU's Title IX Coordinator directly and she will work with you to find a way for you to receive the information in a non-triggering manner.