Central Student Government announced Tuesday afternoon a new pilot policy requiring Bystander Intervention and Community Engagement training workshops for student organization leaders on campus seeking more than $1,000.
“Central Student Government is deeply committed to changing the culture around sexual misconduct and alcohol and other drug misuse on campus,” the email release said. “This is why we want to empower Michigan students to receive Bystander Intervention training around these important and challenging issues.”
The policy — set to begin in the winter semester — will be funded by CSG’s Student Organization Funding Commission, which allocates $400,000 a year to distribute to student organizations on campus. The release said at least two leaders of the organizations applying for that amount must attend the workshop in order to have the opportunity to access the funds.
The Bystander Intervention training will instruct students on how to identify examples of harmful behavior and learn how to navigate high-risk circumstances, such as alcohol- and drug-related incidents. CSG’s release said it hopes trained students will pass on their knowledge to others in and out of their student organizations. The workshops will be conducted by Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center volunteers.
This new policy aligns with the goals of student government to aid peer organizations on campus. This year, CSG President David Schafer, LSA senior, also mandated an executive order to create the Wolverine Consulting Group — a commission that would provide funding, leadership and organization advice for student organizations on campus.
The commission is separate from SOFC. Public Policy junior Vineet Chandra, co-chair of the Wolverine Consulting Group, wrote in an earlier email to the Daily that they are currently working with the Michigan Refugee Assistance Program and Electric Motorcycle Racing.
“In both of these (student organizations), we felt like we could have a real impact in supporting the work that they are doing,” Chandra wrote. “We’re a new initiative from CSG this year, so certainly their willingness to work with us played a factor as well.”
Correction: Language added to clarify that student leaders are eligable for the fund if they follow the policy, not guaranteed.