As a survivor of sexual violence, my family and I wanted me to be on a college campus that makes safety, prevention, and well-being the top priority. One thing that naturally drew me to Chapman University is C.A.R.E.S., a campus organization dedicated to “Creating a Rape-free Environment for Students.”  During my transfer orientation, the mandatory Healthy Panther Initiative (HPI) ran by C.A.R.E.S. proved me right in my decision to select Chapman over prestigious admission offers. It was the first program that made me believe, “Yes. I am safe here.” It told all of us that we mattered enough to be given the tools and resources to identify the many potential physical, mental and social consequences that can occur as a result of drug and alcohol abuse; how to prevent sexual assault; where to go if we ever experience violence; awareness of STD/STIs; practicing safe sex; and the dangers of alcohol poisoning and other related high-risk behaviors.

So imagine my severe discomfort when I learned some disturbing news: incoming students at Chapman University will no longer have access to the in-person module of HPI. This interactive program designed to prevent sexual violence and alcohol poisoning will no longer be an option for first-year and transfer undergraduate students. As a returning student and member of the OC community, I am deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of my peers without this program.

Healthy Panther provides crucial, timely education about consent, sexual assault prevention, and alcohol awareness. The nature of it being mandatory and in-person is what made it truly effective. It fostered a sense of community. It created a sense of belonging. And it excelled at empowering students to make informed decisions, recognize dangerous situations, and provide support. We were required to participate in this program at a time in our lives when we needed it most: newly navigating the world as adults without our strongest protectors, our parents, to guide us. By eliminating the program in this form, Chapman University is taking a significant step backwards in its commitment to student safety and well-being.

WHY IT MATTERS

According to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), 13% of all students at a college campus experience rape or sexual assault, yet 4 out of 5 students do not report the sexual violence they experienced. This means these numbers are likely significantly higher. Furthermore, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that approximately 1,519 college students die each year from alcohol-related injuries, including but not limited to motor-vehicle crashes. A majority of sexual assaults in college also involve alcohol or other substances.

Students who have attended Healthy Panther in person frequently report being deeply engaged with the material. They say the in-person structure of the program made them internalize valuable information and they felt more equipped to protect themselves and others. Now, students are allowed to press play on a few “mandatory” videos during their own time, which are then promptly ignored by switching screens, using phones, or muting the videos and walking away. This completely nullifies the effectiveness of Healthy Panther. Several students anonymously reported, "We can just mute it and come back to the site later without watching it" and "it doesn't force you to pay attention or acknowledge these important matters. It doesn't help us." 

THE RED ZONE – MORE THAN 50% OF ALL SEXUAL ABUSE ON CAMPUS HAPPENS DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Dismantling the Healthy Panther Initiative beginning Fall 2026 is particularly alarming, considering that more than 50% of all sexual abuse on campus takes place during the Red Zone. The Red Zone is the time between move-in day, orientation, and Thanksgiving every year. New incoming students are especially susceptible targets for their older peers and are more likely to engage in partying, drinking, or experimenting with other substances for the first time. They are more receptive to peer pressure and coercion, and more likely to experience intoxication to the point of incapacitation, which some might use to take advantage of them. 

Most universities across the country do not adequately address sexual violence on their campuses nor do they provide extensive consent education to help combat this. Because of this, it’s deeply saddening to see Chapman University move in the direction of becoming less equipped to prevent its students from such harm. Amongst our current climate, this is a huge slap in the face to survivors and advocates across campus.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Chapman University claims to pride itself in fostering a safe and inclusive campus. Unfortunately, I no longer feel that safety is the priority. These changes will result in more harm and portrays Chapman as a space that doesn’t take violence and harm reduction seriously. In accordance with their proclaimed values, I urge Healthy Panther to be restored to its former role immediately.

We, the student body, alumni, faculty, and Panther families, call on the administration of Chapman University to restore the original Healthy Panther program for the beginning of Spring 2027 and beyond. We want incoming students to be empowered and the administration to honor their commitments.

Please join me in urging Chapman University to do the right thing. Sign this petition to bring back the Healthy Panther Initiative to ensure the safety and well-being of every student at Chapman University!