Students Raise Concern Over Returning Everfi Policy

By Natalie Tulloch and Brandon Cruz

Low completion rates for Everfi courses have prompted Purchase to reinstate registration holds for students who have not completed the courses.

The Vector Solutions logo. (Photo via Vector Solutions website)

On Oct. 23, an email was sent to students with outstanding courses that haven’t been completed, signed by Melissa Glazer, assistant dean of student affairs. The email stated, “As we approach mid-term, this is a friendly reminder that you have outstanding courses to complete. Please be aware that failure to complete your courses may result in your inability to register for classes in the future.”

Madeline Sharkey, a senior communications major, was surprised when she read the email. “I feel blindsided,” she said. “I’m very stressed out. I’m trying to get my classes sorted out because this is my last semester coming up.”

The Vector and Everfi courses, which cover topics like sexual assault prevention and fire safety, are required for all students. With low completion rates, the administration has opted to enforce registration holds, impacting students’ ability to enroll in classes for the upcoming semester.

According to Glazer, the registration holds were reintroduced after a hiatus made during the COVID pandemic to encourage students to complete the Everfi courses. “We stepped away from the practice of placing holds during COVID when many students were off campus," Glazer said. "However, due to the low completion rates of Vector/EverFi courses, we are hoping to see an increase in completion rates in order to avoid the need for holds."

For the past six years, Purchase has partnered with Vector Solutions/Everfi to provide training aimed at creating “a safe and healthy environment for all community members.” The mandatory training courses cover topics such as alcohol and cannabis use, as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), with time requirements ranging from 22 to 70 minutes.

Madison Tuminaro, a senior media studies and anthropology major, views the Everfi courses as a burden for students focused on their coursework. “To hold someone from registering for classes because of it I think is a little bit unnecessary," Tuminaro said. "I mean, we have people who aren't even doing their coursework because they don't have time."

Thomas Casey, a sophomore graphic design major, shared some of the same sentiments as Tuminaro.

“It’s kind of overwhelming to do [Everfi] on top of schoolwork and trying to find a job,” he said. “I don’t think it’s really appropriate to threaten to kick me out of school if I don’t do these courses.”

Glazer emphasized the importance of the Everfi courses in informing students about safety protocols and available resources. “It is important that our students are educated both about how to report an incident so that we can investigate and respond, and what resources and support are available to them and how to access them,” she said.

Some students find value in the Everfi courses despite finding them time-consuming. Cecelia Cullen, a sophomore political science and journalism major who serves as a teaching assistant for the rape aggression defense (RAD) women’s self-defense class, believes that the training covers essential topics that many students overlook but should be educated on.

“Whether it's about drugs, alcohol, or sexual assault, these are things that can affect anyone, and it's good to be prepared, not just for yourself but to help others if needed,” Cullen said. "While I don't think it should be mandatory to register for classes, I do think these are important topics everyone should know.”