LANSING — The state of Michigan recently established new legislation which mandates public universities to require in-person sexual assault prevention training for all new students by August 31.

For its part, colleges and universities have increased their sexual assault prevention and education programs as the national conversation about sexual assault on campuses has intensified.

Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1921 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal funding. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex includes sexual harassment, rape and sexual assault. A college or university that receives federal funding may be held legally responsible if and when it knows about and/or ignores sexual harassment or assault on campus.

Some of the colleges that have taken the protocol into action are Grand Rapids Community College, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, including the Dearborn and Flint campuses, and Western Michigan University.

According to reports submitted by the Michigan Daily News in June, U of M has been nationally recognized for sexual assault and alcohol prevention efforts. The university was awarded two Prevention Excellence Awards by the Campus Prevention Network, a program that supports large college campuses across the U.S. in their efforts to address health and safety challenges.