Soon, both new and returning students will arrive on campus with goals and aspirations for themselves, as well as expectations of their peers, staff and the university itself. The start of the academic year is a crucial time for establishing social norms and forging friendships.
On 5 August, UiA launched a ‘Red Flag’ campaign, which is a pilot project that is anchored in the Learning Environment Committee and the Equality and Inclusion Committee.
The aim of this campaign is to prevent sexual harassment among students.
The campaign is a student-led initiative and is the result of close collaboration with STA, SiA and Nok.Agder. It is being coordinated by the Centre for Gender and Equality at UiA.
Semester start is an important time
“We are proud to present a campaign that focuses on accountability and raising awareness rather than focusing on the vulnerable,” says Ida Kjølsø, project manager for the campaign and adviser at UiA's Centre for Gender and Equality.
The campaign includes physical and digital posters in both Norwegian and English, as well as buttons, social media content, an interactive stand, and opinion pieces.
What is a ‘red flag’?
The term is commonly used among young people and refers to people, attitudes or actions that one should avoid or distance themselves from. Terms associated with red flags include words like ‘discomfort’, ‘inappropriate’ and ‘immoral’.
Conversely, a ‘green flag’ denotes people, attitudes or actions that one seeks out or wishes to be around, associated with qualities such as ‘kind’, ‘respectful’, ‘helpful’ and ‘empathetic’.
By launching the campaign at the start of the academic year, UiA wants to encourage respectful behaviour and foster a safe and inclusive campus culture from the outset.
“As an educational institution with thousands of young people, it is crucial for us to address this issue. Launching the campaign during the start of the academic year gives us a perfect chance to ingrain UiA's values and attitudes among both new and returning students,” says Hilde Inntjore, vice-rector for education and head of UiA's Learning Environment Committee.
Support the campaign
You can pick up your own campaign button at the stand in Vrimlehallen in Kristiansand and in Gada in Grimstad.
“Wearing a button is a great way to support the campaign and get people talking, whether you're at UiA or Arendalsuka,” says Kjølsø.