Ga. university board backs plan to prevent sexual violence

ATLANTA (AP) Georgia's state university system plans to set specific training requirements for students and staff and create new positions in hopes of preventing sexual violence at its 30 schools.

Members of the Board of Regents on Tuesday backed recommendations made by a committee that studied the issue since September.

The group's recommendations include purchasing an online training program that every school's students will use annually and hiring a coordinator to ensure that campuses follow federal and state laws.

System Chancellor Hank Huckaby asked the panel of administrators, staff and students to review the system's practices for responding to sexual violence and harassment, general law enforcement and reporting of on-campus crime.

Huckaby says the effort to set consistent policies for every campus is unprecedented, highlighting the issue's importance.