Facing growing criticism from students, Kansas University Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little on Thursday announced efforts that she said were aimed at preventing and responding to sexual assaults.

“Our university has a responsibility to create an environment where every member of our community feels safe,” Gray-Little said in an email to students, faculty and staff. “And as chancellor, that responsibility is ultimately mine.”

Gray-Little directed Provost Jeffrey Vitter to ensure that the mandatory sexual assault training required of all students, faculty and staff has sanctions for noncompletion at least as severe as those in place for compulsory alcohol training. Currently, students who fail to complete a quiz at the end of the alcohol training cannot enroll in classes.

Gray-Little also announced the formation of a task force to review current policies, practices and sanctions on sexual assault, and make recommended changes. The task force, composed of students, faculty and staff, will be co-chaired by Angela Murphy, a graduate student in the English department, and Alesha Doan, chairwoman of the Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and associate professor of political science.

Murphy said Gray-Little’s decision to make the sexual assault training mandatory was extremely important. “It had been mandatory in name but not practice. That is not effective,” Murphy said.

Murphy said Gray-Little’s announcement was a strong “first step.” Murphy added, “I’m dedicated to making sure the students’ voice is heard and we do what we need to do as an institution.”

Gray-Little also invited students, faculty and staff to join her in a discussion next week during Sexual Assault Awareness Week.

“I look forward to us all working together as we make sure that KU is a safe place for every member of our community. A single instance of sexual assault is one too many,” she said.

Katherine Gwynn, president of Students United for Reproductive and Gender Equity, said she was glad Gray-Little indicated she was open to changes in policies, but that a lot of work remained.

“I don’t feel like we are done having this conversation at all,” Gwynn said. “Students need to be involved every step of the way.”

Acting Student Body President Emma Halling said she was pleased by Gray-Little’s response.

“She has been listening to students and what they are interested in,” Halling said. “I think this email says a lot, especially when contrasted from what we were hearing from the university a week ago.”

The firestorm over sexual violence on campus erupted last week when some students expressed outrage after reports that in 2013 KU declined to order community service for a student who was accused by a another student of raping her. KU has declined to comment on the case, citing confidentiality required by federal law. More women came forward with personal stories, saying that KU didn’t take sexual violence seriously.

KU also is among 76 schools being investigated nationwide by the federal government for their handling of sexual assault cases.

A group of students formed earlier this week to demand changes in the way KU investigated allegations of rape and posted a video that said the campus was unsafe and warned potential students to stay away. A public forum on Tuesday drew nearly 300 people at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, located just off campus, where speakers denounced KU’s efforts to rein in sexual violence.