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SARV Prevention

Sexual Assault & Relationship Violence Prevention Program Logo

Required for all First-year and Transfer Undergraduate Students at MSU

MSU is committed to the prevention of gender-based violence, requiring all undergraduate students to participate in annual training. The SARV Prevention program sets the foundation for all undergraduate prevention trainings and is required for all students in their first year at MSU, including transfer students.

SARV is a two-hour, in-person workshop that is facilitated by undergraduate Peer Educators. It is offered in locations across campus on various days and times each week during the fall and early spring semesters to allow students to select a time and place that best fits their busy schedules. Additionally, a variety of specialized workshops with varying focuses are offered.

What you'll learn: How the MSU RVSM policy defines sexual assault and relationship violence and protects Spartans. How to recognize and identify red flags of unhealthy or abusive behaviors. Ways to actively prevent gender-based violence on campus and in everyday life. How to intervene and begin changing the culture to help create a violence-free campus. How to support people who have been harmed. Where and how to access campus and community resources and supportive services
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Each student who is enrolled receives an assignment letter with instructions on how to enroll in the course through MSU’s training site. Students enrolling in SARV only need to select and attend one of the multiple course offerings.

Reminder! Students are ONLY required to take ONE of the available SARV Prevention workshop types. Workshop details below.

Workshop Information

All workshops are available to any students. There are no requirements to be admitted into a specialized workshop vs. an all-audience workshop and students may choose what best fits.

SARV for All Audiences focuses on establishing definitions of sexual assault and relationship violence at MSU, providing information on resources and support, and empowering students to share in the responsibility for prevention and become active in their daily lives by providing applicable strategies for intervention.

LBGTQIA2S+ SARV was specifically written as an option for LBGTQIA2S+ students on campus. It covers all of the content provided in SARV for All Audiences but with an added focus on LBGTQIA2S+ audiences.

International SARV provides an option for international students who are new to the United States. It covers SARV for All Audiences content, but with an added focus on international students. Additionally, a handout is available to any students who would like to utilize one to follow along with the presentation.

Sensory-Friendly SARV was developed and written as an option for students with varying sensory needs and considerations. SARV for All Audiences content is covered, but with presentation approach and physical space options focused on providing a sensory-friendly workshop. Additionally, a handout is available to any students who would like to utilize one to follow along with the presentation.

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How To Get Involved

While we do offer multiple SARV courses, first-year and transfer students are required to enroll in and complete only ONE of the offered workshops.

Our workshops are created with a trauma-informed lens and were created with input from survivors of sexual and relationship violence. We work to create a space that is as safe as possible, and invite individuals attending the workshops to step out and/or leave at any time as needed.

Regardless of these efforts, your well-being is our top priority, and we recognize that this training contains sensitive material that may be overwhelming or cause intense emotional response for some individuals. Students may request course alternatives by contacting the Prevention, Outreach and Education Department at empower@msu.edu.

If you need accommodations to attend your workshop, please email empower@msu.edu as soon as possible before your workshop date. Please contact our staff at least 14 days prior to your workshop to allow time to implement your request.

Information about a variety of topics including logging in, enrolling and verifying attendance as well as real-time updates can be found at: https://michiganstate.sharepoint.com/sites/AbilityTrainingSystemHelpFAQ/SitePages/Scheduled-Workshops-for-SARV,-Bystander,-and-Health-Care.aspx

You can register again for another workshop by following the instructions in your email to cancel your registration and select a new workshop date and time. Email empower@msu.edu with any additional questions.

Follow the instructions in your email to register again. If workshops have concluded for the fall semester, you must register for a workshop in the spring semester. Email empower@msu.edu with any additional questions.

All first-year transfer and freshmen students are automatically assigned to the course and will receive notifications about the SARV Prevention Workshop. You will continue to receive these notifications until after you have attended a workshop and your attendance has been recorded. At times, this can take a few days to reflect in the system. If you believe there is an error and your attendance was not captured, please reach out to us at empower@msu.edu.

This workshop is required for all first-year and transfer students, but if you feel that you have exceptional circumstances, please contact our department at empower@msu.edu.

If the university cancels classes due to weather, workshops will also be canceled. However, you will still need to attend a workshop. You can follow the instructions in your registration email to sign up for a new date/time.

While we greatly value the education and experience students have had with gender-based violence prevention, this workshop will give all MSU students a consistent knowledge base about sexual assault and relationship violence dynamics unique to the college experience, resources of where to get help at MSU, and skills to safely intervene.

Prevention, Outreach and Education (POE) hires new peer educators every spring semester to begin work for the following fall semester. Check this website for an online application during the spring.

Please contact our department at empower@msu.edu.

Resources for Undergraduate Students

Check out our resource guide for students.