KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Michigan First Lady Sue Snyder says Western Michigan University can be one of the pioneers in the state when it comes to improving protections against the sexual assault of women on college campuses.
WMU was one of 23 colleges in the state to be given a chunk of $500,000 for what the state calls first-in-the-country education and prevention programs, and the school says some of the instruction will be targeted at men.
Snyder said not much is done to educate males about scenarios at parties and bars, for example, and she says that must change.
“What about these guys that are standing there and they say, ‘Hey, look at Tom, or whatever. What’s he doing with that girl?’ Step in and say, ‘Tom, I think you’ve had enough to drink, and let’s leave this girl alone,’” Snyder told WKZO-AM’s Kalamazoo’s Morning News on Monday.
The rest of Western’s $25,000 will be put toward dual-gender culture change, student involvement and bystander intervention programs.
Snyder spoke in front of a crowd at Sangren Hall about the issue and the school’s grant Monday night.
– Anthony Pollreisz
