Some graduating UCLA students are planning to show support for survivors of sexual assault at Friday’s commencement ceremonies by wearing red tape on their graduation caps.
The tape is meant to symbolize bureaucratic restrictions and formal rules that hinder efforts for social change and action. The 7000 in Solidarity campaign against sexual assault at UCLA organized the event for students to show solidarity with Columbia University graduates who also put on a No Red Tape campaign at their recent commencement ceremonies.
“UCLA has made a lot of improvements in regards to addressing sexual assault issues, but (the students) need to go above and beyond that,” said Savannah Badalich, a campaign manager of 7000 in Solidarity and the Undergraduate Students Association Council Students Wellness Commissioner. “I want people to be aware of the fact that despite graduation being a very exciting day, survivors are also graduating and some haven’t found justice.”
Badalich said she hopes that the red tape will make some graduating students who are survivors of sexual assault feel more comfortable at the event.
Campaign organizers will be distributing tape in front of Pauley Pavilion before each commencement ceremony on Friday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m.
In April, nearly two dozen students at Columbia and Barnard College filed federal complaints for alleged violations of Title IX, Title II and the Clery Act.
Chrissy Keenan, a second-year human biology and society student and a campaign manager of 7000 in Solidarity, said she thinks the red tape campaign is an easy way for graduating Bruins to say to the university that students are not going to stop caring and they will always support their fellow students even after they graduate.
Compiled by Samantha Tomilowitz, Bruin senior staff.