The epidemic of sexual assault on college campuses has reached a tipping point and students across the country are asking their schools to do more to prevent rape, support survivors, and punish rapists. Here at Central Michigan University, we’re calling on administrators to make our campus safer by changing the minimum punishment for rape from suspension to expulsion.

Under the current statutes, the minimum punishment for rape is suspension with the opportunity to return to campus. No survivor should have to see their attacker in the halls. No student should have to go to class wondering if they might be the next victim of an admitted rapist.

It takes tremendous courage for a survivor to come forward and report their assault. Many fear social rejection, shaming, and retaliation from their attacker. Knowing that, if found responsible, their rapist will be barred from returning to campus will go a long way in making it safer for survivors of rape to come forward, seek justice, and begin the healing process.

The leadership of CMU has a responsibility to protect survivors, not rapists. Please join us in making our campus safer by signing our petition asking the administration to make expulsion the mandatory minimum punishment for sexual assault.