Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon will visit two California universities this week as part of a nationwide university tour by Obama Administration officials to raise awareness of campus sexual assault. Lhamon will discuss the work of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to address and prevent sexual assault on college and university campuses.
On Wednesday, April 30, Lhamon will visit the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she will meet with students and campus administrators. The meetings are closed to the press. There will be a 15-minute media availability afterwards (from 12-12:15 p.m.)
On Thursday, May 1, she will visit California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Cal Poly Pomona will host "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes," an event that will raise awareness about sexual assault and highlight men's roles in preventing sexual violence. During the event, male students wearing high heels will march in unison to University Plaza, while female students, faculty, staff and university leaders will show their support. In the plaza, Lhamon and university leaders will speak about sexual violence prevention. The event is one of many hosted by the campus' Violence Prevention and Women's Resource Center for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Lhamon leads the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, whose mission is to ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence throughout America through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.