The Title IX Office is promoting Healthy Relationships Month, with displays and awareness events occurring throughout February.
Each year, student organizations and University departments are encouraged to create Healthy Relationship banners, which can be viewed at the Student Recreation Center. Designed with painted messages of respect, consent and boundaries, these banners represent the acknowledgement of and commitment to qualities that should be present in every relationship.
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee created a new banner for this year.
“There are so many glamorized relationships portrayed in the media that can be misleading,” said Olivia Gang, SAAC vice president and women’s cross country student-athlete. “We wanted our banner to focus on the foundations of what actually makes a healthy relationship.”
College is an important time for learning to recognize behaviors that characterize both healthy and unhealthy relationships. Although the focus is often on intimate partnerships, relationships with family, friends and colleagues also should be considered. The key to nurturing healthy relationships across the spectrum of human connections is for each person to come to any given relationship with a strong sense of self-worth, the willingness to advocate for themselves and with the expectation that they deserve to be treated well.
Michelle McDevitt, director of Title IX and Compliance & Title IX coordinator, talked about Healthy Relationship month, saying, “Respect and communication are strong qualities for a healthy relationship, whether your relationship is romantic, familial, friendly or professional.”
Another way the Title IX Office is raising awareness about healthy relationships is with the upcoming Green Flag Campaign. In a relationship, a “green flag” is a desirable characteristic, whereas a “red flag” is concerning and should be avoided. To support this campaign, students were invited to visit the Title IX Office’s Consent for Kisses table on Valentine’s Day in Thompson Student Union, where they learned about consent, received chocolate kisses and had the chance to reflect on qualities they value in a relationship by writing them on green yard flags.
Throughout March, these flags will be featured on Centennial Mall, displaying words or phrases the campus community has identified as characterizing a healthy relationship.
More information, resources and giveaways can be found all semester at the Title IX Office’s weekly tabling events, occurring on Main Campus in Thompson Student Union and Health Science Campus outside of the Bistro.
The Title IX Office also is tabling throughout the month of February at the Student Recreation Center.
“Recreational Services recognizes Healthy Relationships Month as an opportunity to promote connection, respect and well-being within our community,” said Tony North, director of Recreational Services. “By fostering positive interactions through our programs and spaces, we support the development of strong, healthy relationships that enhance overall well-being and quality of life.”
Stop by any Title IX program to ask questions, learn about sexual misconduct prevention education, and engage in conversation about healthy relationships.
“As Rockets we have the power to make our community and relationships strong,” McDevitt said.
The campus community also may attend Rocket Upstanders programming to engage in a craft while discussing prevention and healthy relationship topics. To learn more about all Title IX programming, visit Title IX Office’s Invonet page.
The University of Toledo Title IX Office is available for anyone in need of resources or help with healthy relationships, domestic and dating violence, and sexual harassment. The University of Toledo Title IX Office ensures compliance with federal law, and may investigate reports of sexual misconduct, implements supportive measures when necessary and works to remedy the effects of sexual misconduct.
For more information on educational programming, resources, or how to report an incident, stop by the Title IX Office in Synder Memorial Room 1120, call 419.530.4191 or visit the UToledo Title IX website.
