Merced students weigh in on new off-campus sexual assault law

Students at Merced College mostly supported a new law signed Tuesday allowing California community colleges to suspend or expel students for off-campus sexual assaults.

SB 186 by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, extends the disciplinary powers of community colleges to apply to sexual assaults even if the offense is not related to college activity or attendance.

Vince Gallagher, police chief at Merced College, said he is glad Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill because it will help improve campus safety.

“Our goal is to protect students and foster a safe learning environment,” Gallagher said. “We don’t want to have to wait for something to happen here (on campus).”

“It’s a preventive measure,” he continued. “This is a case where we can strategize to be proactive rather than reactive.”

Merced College student Jailene Alcaraz, 18, said she already feels safe on campus, but knowing that people who committed a sexual assault will be removed from school strengthens her sense of comfort.

“I think it’s a good idea ... that way they don’t harm someone (on) campus,” she said.

If it happens off campus, what stops a perpetrator from hurting someone on campus, she asked. “They’re going to do it again. It’s probable.”

The University of California and California State University systems already allow disciplining students for off-campus sexual assaults.

“I have heard from community college leaders that this is a tool they feel they need to keep their students and communities safe,” Jackson said in a news release on Tuesday. “This is particularly important in a place such as Isla Vista, in my district, where we have UC students and community colleges students living next to each other, but being held to different standards.”

A similar connection can be made in Merced, as UC Merced and Merced College students often live in the same neighborhoods.

“This will level the playing field for all students, regardless of where they are enrolled, send a clear message about sexual assault and help ensure that victims feel safe enough to stay in school,” Jackson said.

The Legislature passed the measure unanimously and is considering several other bills that would increase the consequences for sexual assault.

Yet not all Merced College students agreed with the new law. Angela Bradshaw, 22, said if the assault happens off campus, she doesn’t see why the school has to become involved.

“It’s one thing if it happened in school or if the students (perpetrator and victim) go to the same school,” Bradshaw said. “But if it takes place off campus, that’s different.”

“They are probably already dealing with law enforcement,” she added. “I don’t think it should be the school’s responsibility.”

The law defines sexual assault as intentional touching of another person’s intimate parts without consent, as well as coercing or forcing sexual contact.

It also describes sexual exploitation as prostituting another person as well as recording, photographing and distributing naked and sexual images without a person’s consent.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Merced students weigh in on new off-campus sexual assault law."