Title IX Reporting​

What is SAPHIRE?
Ringling College’s Sexual Assault Prevention & Healthy Intimate Relationship Education (SAPHIRE) program is based on a wellness prevention model of sexual assault and other gender based violence/discrimination. 

SAPHIRE helps to educate the Ringling College of Art and Design campus community about resources for students who have been victims/survivors of sexual assault or other gender based discrimination, for bystanders and secondary survivors, and for any student or staff member who wants to learn more about how to develop healthy intimate relationships. The program helps to:

We are here to help
Whether you experienced a trauma in childhood, while in college, know someone who has been victimized, have experienced any gender based discrimination, or are having difficulty in your relationships, we are here to collaboratively support you through your recovery. It is incredibly common to experience self-blame, guilt, anxiety, depression, and feel isolated during and following these difficult experiences. We want you to know you are not alone in whatever way you are struggling. The Peterson Counseling Center is a confidential resource that is here to support you and can also be helpful in discussing your options. Talking with a counselor is not the same as filing an incident report with any other staff member and there will be no follow up investigation. You can view more information on our website or call us at 941-893-2855 to setup an appointment. For more information on filing a Title IX incident report please contact Student Life or the College’s Title IX Coordinator. 

Annual Programming and Events

SAPHIRE sponsors several campus events each year and programs throughout the year to provide education and to spread awareness. 

• August: Title IX Student Awareness Training during Orientation and online materials 
• September 21st: RAINN Day- Stand Up Against Rape, Abuse and Incest during a program designed for RCAD students to come together and support RAINN awareness. We will provide information; and together as a community each year develop an art project that is displayed on campus.
• October 10th: Coming Out Day-Join us as we show RCAD pride in Scott Plaza in support of National Coming Out Day and the LGBTQIA community!!
• November 5: Be Informed Series: A lunch time meeting to learn about the nature and impact of sexual assault, prevention tools, and ways for victims and survivors to cope and recover. Most importantly, this is an opportunity to discuss ways we can work together to create a campus environment which fosters prevention and awareness of Sexual Assault and Violence.
• January 29th: Be Informed Series: Surviving Trauma: Resilience and Recovery. Join us in the Selby Lecture Hall 11:30am-12:30pm for a brown bag lunch time meeting to learn about and discuss factors that foster and improve resilience, ways to cope and recover following a traumatic event, and how to help a friend or loved one .
• February 9th: Movie Night. Join us in the Student Smart Room from 6:30-8:00pm. We will be watching the Documentary Killing Us Softly 4; a powerful film which takes a critical look at modern American advertising and its relationship to sexism, eating disorders, gender violence, and contemporary politics. We invite you to screen the film and then join us for a group discussion afterward.
• April 1: Missing Your Mate: In a long distance relationship? Come join us at 7:00 pm in the Student Smart Room for a program specifically designed for students who are in long distance relationships. We will have stations set up so you can put together a care package of fun goodies to send to the one you love! This also will be a great opportunity to share your struggles and success stories, and to learn some tips for managing a healthy long distance relationship!
• April***: Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) 2015 Schedule of Events:
  • April 13-17th: The Clothesline Project
  • April 17th: Lunch of Silence 11:30-12:30 in the Student Smart Room. Join us for a silent lunch to support those in the LGBTQIA community who have been victim to discrimination or harassment due to their sexual orientation and/ or gender identity.  Lunch will be provided and eaten in silence. Posters will be available for everyone to write a message about why they are participating in this event. We will also have a discussion following the event to process reactions. 
  • Tuesdays in April: (April,7th, 14th, 21st ,28th): Teal Tuesdays: Wear the color teal every Tuesday in April to show your support and promote awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 
  • April 22nd : Be Informed Series: Lunch and Learn: Sexual Assault Prevention on our Campus. Join Counselors and other Wellness Staff for Lunch in Hammond Commons for a discussion of Sexual Assault on our Campus and Future Directions of Prevention and Awareness.
  • April 29th: Denim Day. We invite all Students, Faculty, and Staff to wear denim on this day in protest against the misconceptions that surround Sexual Assault.
    
    

Stay alert for sexual assault prevention materials distributed as part of our Healthy Tea and Snacks program throughout the year, posters across campus, and stop by the health center anytime to pickup more information or ask questions. For any questions or more information on our events please contact Nancy Zlatkin: nzlatkin@ringling.edu or Melanie Stawkey: mstawkey@ringling.edu

On-Campus Medical Services
Ringling College, in partnership with Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH), provides basic medical services to students in our on-campus Student Health Center. Services are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm during the academic year. No appointment is necessary, but students must bring their Ringling College ID and insurance card to each visit. Our medical services staff are equipped to diagnose and treat most common illnesses and conditions, including but not limited to:

• Colds and Flu
• Minor Skin Lacerations and Burns
• Skin Rashes
• Urinary Problems
• Gynecological Problems, Routine Gynecological Exam and Pap Smear
• On-site Laboratory Testing Including Urine Dip, Rapid Strep, Pregnancy and STI Testing
• Emergency Contraception
• Physicals
  
  

Medical Services at the Student Health Center:
2712 Bradenton Road, Sarasota, FL 34234
941-309-4000
medical@ringling.edu

After-Hours Medical Services
Ringling Students may also visit any of the off-campus Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care locations (smhurgentcare.com) to meet with a physician free of charge. All off-campus SMH Urgent Care Centers are open 7 days a week from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm. You must show your Ringling ID and insurance card upon arrival. Additional services provided may incur a cost which you can discuss with your provider before proceeding.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital Emergency Room
In an emergency, always call 911
1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34239 (entrance off Waldemere St.)
For non-emergency information, call 941-917-8555

Peterson Counseling Center
The Peterson Counseling Center (PCC) provides free, confidential services for Ringling students and is available Monday- Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Services include short-term individual therapy, group therapy, workshops, support groups, psychiatry services, same-day and urgent mental health services.  Staff can also provide information regarding off-campus referrals. Services may be offered in-person or via telehealth. In addition to therapy services, PCC also engages with the school community through outreach and programming on various topics.

The Peterson Counseling Center serves as a confidential resource for students. PCC staff are not considered mandated reporters under Title IX.

Peterson Counseling Center at the Student Health Center:
2712 Bradenton Road, Sarasota, FL 34234
941-893-2855
counseling@ringling.edu

After-Hours Services
For after-hours mental health emergencies, students should call Ringling College Public Safety at 941-359-7500, call 911 or visit a local emergency room.

Off-Campus Resources
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC)
24-Hour Crisis Line, call or text 941-365-1976
2139 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34237
https://www.sparcc.net/

Sarasota County Victim’s Assistance Unit
941-861-4942
www.sarasotasheriff.org
victimassistance@scgov.net

National Sexual Assault Hotline: Confidential 24/7 Support
800-656-HOPE (4673)
Chat online at online.rainn.org
www.rainn.org

Love is Respect
1.866.331.9474
Text LOVEIS to 22522
https://www.loveisrespect.org/

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Victim Assistance Unit
www.SarasotaSheriff.org 
victimassistance@scgov.net 
(941)-861-4942

Tammy Walsh, Ed.D., Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, is Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Dr. Walsh or other staff in student life are the primary contact for students: twalsh@ringling.edu

Christine DeGeorge, Vice President of Human and Organizational Development, serves as Title IX Coordinator and primary contact for faculty/staff concerns: ccarnegi@ringling.edu 

For more information please also visit the college’s main website and review the student handbook.