Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has been awarded a $30,000 grant from Governor Tom Wolf and the PA Department of Education, to support our efforts to create programs that prevent and address sexual violence on campus. Governor Wolf’s office announced late Tuesday (March 13) that Cheyney was among the 39 universities across the state selected to receive the funding through the “It’s On Us PA” grant.

The Governor’s “It’s On US PA” statewide campaign aims to bring together college and University  administrators, faculty, staff, students, families and community members to “reframe the conversation around sexual violence and pledge to be part of the solution.”

“This grant will enable us to launch the ‘We C.U.’ (Cheyney University) social norms campaign. This campaign is designed to not only elevate awareness of the resources available on campus, but to also educate the entire Cheyney student population on understanding consent, healthy relationships and negative behaviors,” shared Robin Coward Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, EEO and Title IX. “This in turn will help promote a culture where students feel empowered to report and make safer and healthier decisions.” Coward and Thom Nixon, Director of Residence Life and Housing at Cheyney, will partner to serve as the grant leaders for the University.

The “It’s On US PA” statewide campaign was launched by Governor Wolf in 2016, following the national “It’s On Us” movement spearheaded by former President Barak Obama. In 2017 the Wolf Administration awarded nearly a million dollars in It’s On US PA grants to 36 Pennsylvania postsecondary universities.