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Jewett Will Ask Council For New Date Rape Policy

Revised Definition: Intercourse Against Victim's Will

Dean of the College L. Fred Jewett '57 said yesterday that he will ask the Faculty Council to approve a revised date rape policy that defines rape as sexual intercourse against the will of the victim.

"The big issues have been ironed out in principle," Jewett said. "We will check it with the University legal counsel and then bring it before the Faculty Council."

The new policy is largely the result of collaboration between former Assistant Dean for Co-Education Janet A. Viggiani of the Date Rape Task Force and former Chair of the Undergraduate Council Malcolm A. Heinicke '93.

Language Re-Phrased

While the new proposal leans toward the council definition of rape as "expressed unwillingness," the language has been re-phrased to define rape as "any act of sexual intercourse which occurs against the will of the victim," Heinicke said.

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The new definition specifies that the will of the victim may be expressed "physically or verbally."

The definition also closely resembles Massachusetts state law, which defines rape as sexual intercourse with a person "who is compelled to submit by force and against his will."

The policy is not yet on the agenda for a Faculty Council meeting, according to John B. Fox Jr. '59, secretary to the Faculty Council. But Jewett said the proposal should be presented in March or April.

Heinicke said Viggiani and he, corresponding by fax, reached a common definition over winter break.

Viggiani was a chief architect of the Task Force definition--rejected by the Ad Board in November--which defined date rape as "sexual intercourse that occurs without the expressed consent of the person."

Heinicke, who sponsored the original council resolution on date rape last spring, yesterday called the revised proposal a victory for the council.

"It wasn't a victory in that we defeated people," he said. "It was a victory in that the U.C. and I, to a smaller degree, have contributed something worthwhile to college policy."

Viggiani termed the policy a "compromise" and said the language of the policy "takes a little bit from everyone."

"I'm very comfortable with it," she said. "The thing that has always been most important to me has been to raise awareness."

"The policy follows the language in the law, but then we go on to define other points that the law doesn't particularly address," she said.

Viggiani said the policy considers issues that are relevant to a college community, including incidents that involve drugs and alcohol.

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