Kristina Houck

Farewell Party For Kristina Houck, August 31

August 28, 2015

All faculty and staff are invited to a farewell open house hosted by the Garaventa Center (Franz 330) to bid a fond farewell to Kristina Houck on Monday, August 31, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Kristina has served the campus deftly and wholeheartedly for the past 12 years, first as a member of the residence life staff in Shipstad and in recent years as the Health Center’s wellness education and prevention coordinator. At last year’s staff Christmas luncheon, she and Martin Monto received the President’s Award from University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., in recognition of their leadership in establishing the Green Dot violence prevention program on campus. Snacks and libations will be served; please stop in and say goodbye as Kristina takes on new professional challenges.

For more information contact the Garaventa Center at 7702 or garaventa@up.edu.

New Title IX Coordinator

June 30, 2014

Effective July 1, Bryn Sopko, director of human resources, will become the University’s Title IX Coordinator. Bryn will replace Elayne Shapiro, who has filled the role since July 2011. As a reminder, all inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations may be referred to the University’s Title IX coordinator, deputy Title IX coordinator, or to the assistant secretary for civil rights of the Department of Education. The University’s Title IX coordinator and deputy Title IX coordinator are:

Bryn M. Sopko Title IX Coordinator, Director of Human Resources 501 Waldschmidt Hall, MSC 168 (503) 943-8987 or sopko@up.edu
Kristina S. Houck Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Training and Education Kenna Hall 027, MSC 147 (503) 943-8125 or houckk@up.edu

For more information contact Danielle Hermanny, general counsel and executive assistant to the president, at 7401 or hermanny@up.edu.

SAFE Advocates Needed

September 13, 2013

The health center is seeking faculty and staff who are interested in becoming SAFE (Stop Assault For Everyone) Advocates, according to Kristina Houck, health center. SAFE Advocates are committed, caring faculty and staff members trained to support students who are impacted by interpersonal violence, including stalking, dating violence, sexual assault, and rape. Advocates serve as important resources to students by participating in an on-call rotation as well as being listed on the SAFE Advocate website, allowing students to contact them directly.

Joining the advocate network requires full-time employment by the University of Portland, attendance at a one-time three hour training session, excellent listening skills, and a willingness to be available to students. A training session is scheduled for Thursday, September 26, from 1 to 4 p.m., in the career services conference room in Orrico Hall. If you are interested in becoming a SAFE Advocate or would like more information, please contact Houck at 8125 or houckk@up.edu.

Green Dots Prevent Violence

August 26, 2013

The University’s violence prevention strategy, Green Dot, reminds all of us that we have the power to prevent violence through taking action and intervening in situations that have the potential to cause harm, according to Kristina Houck, health center. During last week’s Orientation, incoming freshmen were invited to join in defining violence prevention as a community responsibility, ensuring that fewer people are affected by violence at UP.

The Green Dot Team thanks all faculty, staff and administrators who have joined us in conveying to the entire community that we are all committed to doing our part to prevent violence. If you haven’t yet, please consider displaying a poster in your office, including a statement of support in your e-mail signature line, adding a message about preventing violence to your syllabus or student worker materials, or simply adding a green dot to PowerPoint slides used in presentations.

To assist you in demonstrating your commitment to preventing violence, the team has created a Green Dot media kit with suggestions and materials for your use. It is available for download at www.up.edu/greendot on the ‘What Can I Do?’ page alongside the faculty and staff tool kit. If you need of a poster for your office, please e-mail Houck at houckk@up.edu.

Title IX Changes, Information

August 26, 2013

Kristina Houck has been appointed as Title IX deputy director for training and education, according to Title IX coordinator Elayne Shapiro, communication studies. She also serves as wellness education and prevention program coordinator for the University.

Please note that the Early Alert form, available on both the Early Alert and Title IX page, now requests a brief summary, as well as source of the information (i.e. victim, witness, 3rd party or anonymous). Mandated reporting requires a completed report even if the information is second-hand. This is a modification to information that personnel may have received last year through Title IX training. From this point forward, please be sure to complete a report to Title IX for any incident of sexual harassment, stalking, dating violence, sexual assault, or sexual discrimination you are made aware of; whether it be a report from a victim, a witness, a third party, or something of which you are personally aware.

Please note that Title IX can provide accommodations for victims, including a change in class schedule, alternative housing options, counseling, and assisting the victim in feeling safe and able to fully participate in campus activities.

For more information contact Shapiro at 7349 or shapiro@up.edu.