Jayhawks Give a Flock Trains over 4,000 Students in Bystander Intervention

Students, faculty, and staff facilitated sessions for over 4,000 new first-year students this Jayhawks Give a Flock.

Since 2018, new, first-year undergraduate freshman have participated in Jayhawks Give a Flock, informally “Flock”, KU’s bystander intervention program. With the help of staff and faculty volunteers, the Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center (SAPEC) organized multiple days of two-hour long sessions for students to practice intervening when a peer needs support. 

“I’m deeply invested in the way that SAPEC has changed bystander intervention to make it something that’s uniquely KU and prevents harm,” shared Jenny McKee, assistant director of the Health Education Resource Office and a volunteer Flock facilitator. “It gets me really excited.” 

In addition to staff and faculty volunteers, students are invited to facilitate conversations between their peers as well. Student Flock facilitators shared their experiences as both former attendees and present facilitators. 

“I attended my first Jayhawks Give a Flock three years ago as a student entering my freshman year and immediately became a fan of the program,” shared Kennedy Farrier, a senior political science and history major from De Soto, Kan. “As a student who was new to KU, I really appreciated the fact that Flock placed such emphasis on preparing our larger community of Jayhawks to create a safe and supportive environment for students of all backgrounds.” 

“My choice to volunteer for Jayhawks Give a Flock stemmed from my own positive experience and my background in health programming,” shared Brooklyn Smith, a senior and community health major from Tampa, Kan., who volunteered as a student Flock facilitator. “I wanted to ensure that future Jayhawks felt that same positivity surrounding such a complex and challenging topic.” 

Student facilitators also recognized how Flock helped build connections between themselves and the incoming students.  

“One thing that surprised me was how much a simple conversation or helping someone can make a difference,” shared Mahith Samarathunga, a senior majoring in human biology and global and international studies from Sri Lanka. “It showed me that students can really benefit from having someone there to support them.” 

“Later that evening at UnionFest, some of the students that attended Flock came up to me to say thank you or just 'hi' and that they recognized me,” shared Makenzie Morgan, a junior from Liberty, Mo.  

This feedback from student facilitators is a testament to the multi-year impact of Jayhawks Give a Flock. 

"This was our second year with student facilitators. Having students come on and pair with a professional facilitator has been an incredible addition to the program," shared Jaclyn Carpenter, program coordinator for SAPEC. "The participation of student facilitators, as well as facilitators from 24 different units on the Lawrence campus, shows that this program is valuable to the community we're all committed to supporting." 

Thank you to the SAPEC staff, 127 facilitators, 70 volunteers, and 4,463 student participants who made Flock possible once again this fall semester.