By Prince Omoruyi
The Office of Campus Compliance and Civility hosted a kickoff event to officially launch the McNeese chapter of It’s On Us, a national program focused on preventing sexual violence and promoting healthy relationships on college campuses.
It’s On Us began in 2014 as a national awareness campaign launched by the Obama-Biden administration. Today, it is a nonprofit initiative focused on encouraging students to support one another, report concerns, and create safer campus environments through peer education.
Oghenekarho Amurun, a senior accounting major and president of the McNeese chapter, said Wednesday’s event was designed to encourage a safe environment for the participants to learn about very serious issues.
“The main goal was to create an environment where everyone feels safe and comfortable participating in conversations about sexual violence without insecurity or awkwardness,” Amurun said.
The event was structured around five color-themed tables. At the blue table, students were given personal alarms, whistles and safety keychains that can help draw attention in emergencies. They were also introduced to safety apps designed to provide additional support when students are walking alone on campus.
The yellow table featured an “Encouragement Wall” where students wrote motivational messages on sticky notes. Affirmations such as “You belong here” and boundary reminders like “No is a complete sentence” were added to a large poster that continued to grow throughout the event.
At the red table, students participated in a “My Support Tree” activity where they identified three things that make them feel safe: a trusted person, a safe place on campus, and an activity that helps them feel comfortable or grounded.
The green table focused on discussions about managing boundaries in relationships, and the purple table utilized “Let’s Get Real” conversation cards to prompt peer-to-peer dialogue about wellness and leadership.
A few community organizations tabled at the event, including LAFSA, Oasis: A Safe Haven, and the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living.
Youngblood said the overall mission of the chapter is empowerment.
“You have a voice. You matter,” she said. “We want to provide a platform for students to be heard, feel safe, and have a holistic career while working on your degree.”
Students interested in joining the organization can contact the Office of Campus Compliance and Civility at the Burton Business Center, Room 407, or call 337-475-5428.
