Jane Kopas Women's Center

 Promoting Awareness of the College Transition (PACT) Program

The PACT program was developed to assist students at The University of Scranton with the transition between high school and college. We recognize this transition can be both exhilarating and overwhelming as students begin to experience life in a new environment.  In this environment first year students will enjoy newfound freedom and responsibility. The PACT program seeks to increase awareness of some critical issues that may assist students in productively navigating their first semester at The University of Scranton. 

Click here for the 2022 PACT brochure and get the resources and information you need!

Interested in being a PACT Presenter?

Help us facilitate safe, happy, and healthy relationships by becoming a PACT presenter. You can help us make Scranton an even safer place for everyone! You can develop leadership and presentation skills through peer led conversations about healthy relationships.

If you are accepted as a presenter, the P.A.C.T. training is mandatory as it will prepare you to educate new students within the first four weeks of the 2022-2023 academic year.

Training tentatively will be held:

  • Friday, September 9th from 6pm to 9pm (New Presenters)
  • Saturday, September 10th from 9am to 4pm (New Presenters)
  • Sunday, September 11th from 1pm to 5pm (New and Returning Presenters)

The application can be found at https://forms.office.com/r/Yzw4TbBrKF

About the PACT Program

PACT is a peer to peer program that was developed to facilitate an educational conversation between incoming new students, upper class students, and graduate students. Typically, teams of 2-3 students visit the first-year residence halls beginning in September, and also hold sessions in the DeNaples Center for transfer and commuting students. This year, all new students will be invited to attend sessions in a centralized location, regardless of their residential or commuter status.  The conversations facilitated by the teams include the topics of healthy relationships, communication, consent, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, reporting options, and resources.   This program has existed at The University of Scranton since the 2006-2007 academic year. It has received positive feedback from students some of whom have later volunteered to become members of the facilitation teams.

The Pennsylvania Legislature passed a law in March of 2011 that requires colleges and universities to present programs that address these issues with students. The University is proud to have been participating in these prevention education programs long before this requirement.  The University places a strong emphasis on community and it is hoped that by participating in the conversations facilitated in PACT, students will learn information that promotes a safer and healthy community for all.

The PACT program is sponsored by the Division of Student Life and the Counselor Training Center.  If you would like additional information about this program, you can contact the JKWC at 570-941-6194.

Student Learning Outcomes
First-year students who participate in Promoting Awareness of the College Transition (PACT) will understand:
–The importance of meaningful communication in relationships including the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
–The necessity and legality of agreement and consent in addition to definitions of sexual assault and misconduct.

 

Does it work?

The PACT program has been successful and received positive feedback from new students. In the 2021-2022 academic year, more than 91% of students who attended PACT agree or strongly agree they better understand what is meant by "consent," the expectations of them as they relate to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct, and are aware of resources on and off campus as a result of the program. In addition, more than 92% of students agree or strongly agree they thought the PACT program was informational and useful. 

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