ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Universities across the U.S. - including the University of New Mexico - are back in session. That means it's the start of what's known as the "Red Zone," a six-to-nine week time period when students are most at risk for sexual assault.

UNM has launched its Reclaim the Red campaign to take a stand against sexual misconduct, just one year after the U.S. Department of Justice found the school negligent in handling reports of campus sexual assaults.

Gracie Scheiderman, president of the group leading Reclaim the Red, says the campaign has two goals.

"It means that we're taking back that time during those first few months so that students don't have to be afraid for their safety, and so that we can reduce the number of sexual assaults happening on college campuses," she explains.

Last year, the Justice Department blasted UNM officials for failing to deal with reported cases of sexual harassment and assault. The university has since created a presidential task force to study the issue, and implemented other policies and procedures to reform its handling of new cases.

Studies have shown that more than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occur between late August and early November, and women are most likely to be victimized early in their college tenure.

Scheiderman says the Reclaim the Red campaign encourages UNM students to take a stand when they see anything that appears to be sexual misconduct.

"By making sure that students are aware of their surroundings, or that there is that lack of consent - being able to stand up for yourself, being able to stand up for your friends and being able to intervene whenever you see anything that needs that intervention," she says.

The University of New Mexico is not unique in its struggles with sexual assaults. In early 2016, federal investigations were underway at more than 150 colleges and universities.

Following the Justice Department's findings, UNM also implemented a mandatory online training course to educate its 27,000 students to recognize and prevent sexual misconduct.


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In recognition of Banned Book Week, the "Banned Books Tour" bookmobile will be in the Keystone State today. Pennsylvania ranks third among states with the most banned books, according to PEN America.

Nina Esposito-Visgitis, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers president, are excited that the bookmobile will be visiting the Helen S. Faison Arts Academy, a K-5th school in Homewood.

"Best thing of all is, we're going to be giving out over 1,000 free books to the students there. And it was so cute," she said. "The principal wanted us to get there early so the kids could come and shop for the book they really want. "

Esposito-Visgitis added in Pennsylvania, the impact of banning books cannot be ignored, as it stifles teaching, hinders students' intellectual growth and obstructs the path to understanding the world in its entirety.

Esposito-Visgitis emphasized the tour will feature thought-provoking discussions, author talks and readings from banned books. She said her organization's interest in the bookmobile stems from the city of Pittsburgh's acceptance of writers exiled from their own countries.

"We are an international hub for City of Asylum," she continued. "The City of Asylum, I've been to the bookstore. They have homes. It is an international hub for exiled authors, artists, musicians to live here. "

Esposito-Visgitis said the City of Asylum helps the artists continue their creative work and rebuild their lives. The New Republic "Banned Book Tour" is on the road until October 28th and will also stop in New York, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Several hundred high school and college students are gathering online for the first annual Student Leadership Summit this weekend, hosted by the nonprofit Children Now. It starts Friday night and features a full schedule of presentations and discussions on Saturday.

Ted Lempert, president of Children Now, explained the importance of engaging young people.

"Students are not just tomorrow's leaders, they're today's leaders," Lempert contended. "We need to hear their voice, especially on issues of gun violence, mental health, the school-to-prison pipeline, education equity, and climate justice. And so this summit will help support our student leaders in playing an even greater role in pushing for needed change."

The event is open to students ages 13 to 22, as well as adults who are interested in elevating youth voices. Multiple student groups are leading the event, including GENup, Our Turn, Ed100, The Institute for Youth in Policy, the California Association of Student Councils, Black Students United of California, It's Her Right, and California Forward.

You do not have to be a part of those groups to attend; sign up at ChildrenNow.org.

Lempert noted the event is an evolution of Ed100's Academy for Student Leaders, which was held over the last several years.

"Student leaders will not only be able to connect more with each other but also get information and hear from speakers to help them in their advocacy going forward," Lempert pointed out.

Students will learn about the policymaking process and make connections with other student leaders, mentors, and policymakers. California is home to more than 573,000 high school students and more than 2.5 million college students.

Nearly 100 school board elections are coming up in Minnesota this fall, with some gaining attention because of the candidates who are running. There's concern the push around the United States to infuse school boards with "culture war" issues is becoming a factor regionally.

On Thursday, labor and advocacy groups gathered to speak out about certain board races, mainly in the Twin Cities suburbs, and how some candidates have controversial platforms, such as limiting curriculum about race.

Denise Specht, president of the teacher's union Education Minnesota, said the movement isn't just being observed in states such as Florida. She said book-ban attempts are popping up here, as well.

"In the Bloomington public schools, there are more than 50 challenges to 30 titles in the school libraries already this year," she said. "Most of them are books with LGBTQ+ characters, which fits the national trend."

A school board candidate in Roseville faces scrutiny for writing a book that denies the Holocaust ever happened. The candidate, Vaughn Klingenberg, did not respond to a request for comment. Parent groups that support candidates with divisive views argue that students are being overly exposed to issues such as gender identity and diversity, and that the focus should be on achievement.

Beth Gendler, executive director of Jewish Community Action, pushed back against state-level affiliations such as the Minnesota Parents Alliance, that say voters need to tune out the concerns being raised.

"We are portrayed as threats to society by merely existing, or daring to ask that our stories be included when students are taught about history," she said. "We are not 'noise;' we are not a distraction."

Unlike conservative led-states, Minnesota's Democratic majorities make it unlikely that restrictions on curriculum or gender accommodations will be adopted in the near future. But the coalition calling attention to these candidates has said if elected, it could push to limit local enforcement of anti-bullying laws.


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