Back
to top

Office of the Secretary of Higher Education

Campus Sexual Assault Commission

The New Jersey State Plan for Higher Education: "Where Opportunity Meets Innovation: A Student-Centered Vision for New Jersey Higher Education" includes the vision that every New Jersey student should feel safe and supported in their learning environment. In order to achieve that vision, New Jersey institutions of higher education must work to ensure that their students are not only safe from physical harm but that they are also included and welcomed on campus.

To further New Jersey's commitment to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for all students, the State established the Campus Sexual Assault Commission (CSAC), P.L. 2020 c.104, to:

  • Implement the recommendations from the State Plan for Higher Education working groups pursuant to Executive Order No. 61 (Murphy, 2019) and the Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault established pursuant to P.L. 2015, c.165;
  • Study and evaluate emerging issues concerning campus sexual assault;
  • Monitor institutions' progress and offer technical assistance toward administering campus climate surveys; and
  • Develop an action plan in response to campus climate survey findings.

Recording of the Kickoff Technical Assistance Webinar hosted on May 6, 2022

Recording of the Technical Assistance Webinar on Instrument Selection and Implementation hosted on August 8, 2022

List of Current Campus Sexual Assault Members
  • CHAIR: Dr. Ashante S. Connor, Director of Equity and Title IX, Montclair State University
  • Donna Chiera, President, American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ)
  • Marina Ford, Administrative Aide, NYU Stern School of Business
  • Kat McGee, Director of Title IX, ADA, and Compliance Training, Ramapo College
  • Dr. Sarah McMahon, Associate Professor, Rutgers University and Director, Center on Violence Against Women and Children
  • Dr. Frank Merckx, Vice President of Campus Life and Student Affairs, Drew University
  • Alexandra Fountaine, New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault
  • Dr. A. Tamika Quick, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Kean University
  • Dr. Sheetal Ranjan, Board Member, Bergen County Community College; Professor, Montclair State University

Last Updated: Tuesday, 03/28/23