NEWBURGH – Mount Saint Mary College hosted a number of April events to help students make healthy, proactive choices and to reinforce the campus’s commitment against violence.
Mount students participated in several events throughout April as part of national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. For example, students attended a panel discussion examining the individual and cultural impacts of sexual assault. The panel, moderated by Ashley Retta, Project Coordinator for the Office of Violence Prevention at the college, featured Kristen Lippolis of the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, Erik Eltz of the City of Newburgh Police Department, Meghan Mausteller of Safe Homes of Orange County, and Fr. Gregoire Fluet, chaplain and director of the Mount’s Campus Ministry.
Later in the month, students were invited to join the Clothesline Project by writing messages of support on t-shirts for those who have experienced sexual violence. The shirts were displayed in the college’s main academic hall the week of April 22.
Also in April, the college honored those who have been impacted by violence with a “Take Back the Night” march and candlelight vigil and a “Take Back the Day” 5K color run.