In 1996, UND students didn’t have A.I., they didn’t learn virtually, and they definitely didn’t have Starbucks in the Union.
But just like today, they came together every year for Take Back the Night (TBTN).
This year marks the 30th in a row that UND has hosted the community’s annual rally against violence. It’s part of honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month, all while empowering safety, healing, education and prevention on campus.
This year’s program, organized by CVIC at UND, will feature a variety of speakers who will share their stories and how you can be a part of change at UND and in Grand Forks.
Take Back the Night will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 in the Memorial Union Room 214 C/D. The event will coincide with the annual Clothesline Project, a community tribute to survivors.
The event is free and open to the greater Grand Forks community.
“Take Back the Night is such a powerful tradition, not just at UND, but at colleges around the country,” said Vice President of Prevention, Education and Violence Intervention Kari Kerr. “Our rallies at UND are definitely steeped in tradition, and it’s one we are so glad is being carried on by today’s students and faculty.”
Kerr said TBTN events also give CVIC a chance to reach the greater campus with education and resources that can help keep them safe.
“College students face an increased risk of victimization, especially within the first few months of school, so it’s our way to make sure students know where to go for help if they need it,” Kerr said.
Take Back the Night—Back in the Day
Kerr, who celebrated 30 years at CVIC this year, has attended almost every TBTN rally on campus. In that time, she’s seen how the event has evolved from a gritty, grassroots rally to a more organized and intentional experience.
“I remember in the nineties, we had open mics where survivors would talk for as long as they wanted. People on the floor often shared hugs and lots of tears,” Kerr said. “While it was powerful, we’ve realized at CVIC that the emotional connection wasn’t going to be enough. There needed to be an educational component that could help drive prevention.”
As the vice president of Education and Prevention at CVIC, Kerr spearheads the agency’s efforts to enable trauma-informed education and professional training in schools, businesses and civic-minded programs.
Through the decades, both UND and CVIC have been intentional about partnering up in this way. Kerr said CVIC at UND brings critical support services to campus while providing continuing education to students, faculty and staff on topics related to violence and abuse.
UND Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Art Malloy agrees. A dedicated advocate to ending violence, Malloy serves on the executive board of directors of CVIC and is quick to emphasize how much safer students feel with CVIC in close proximity.
“Not only that, but there is no doubt that our faculty benefits from the educational sessions advocates put on about violence prevention on campus,” Malloy said. “And there is no doubt that everybody loves the fact that they have somewhere to go if there are questions about interpersonal safety, whether in the dorms or just walking down the quad.”
While TBTN rallies might not have that nineties “grit” to them anymore, they have something more important: impact.
“Now, we’re not just sitting on the floor and crying together; we’re talking about healing, educating, and preventing,” Kerr added. “That’s a much more impactful conversation.”
Kerr admits that she sometimes misses the good old days when nobody thought twice about burning real candles in paper bags and marching down University in the dark.
“I’m not sure what we were thinking from a safety perspective, but it’s a fun memory and truly shows just how far we’ve come,” she said.
Take Back the Night Event Schedule
7 p.m. Welcome and words from Cassie Gerhardt, UND Senior Associate Vice President of Student Affairs
7:15 p.m. Coiya Tompkins Inman, CVIC President and CEO
7:30 p.m. Panel discussion:
- Tyler Burmeister – Assistant Athletics Director of Student Athlete Health Development
- Meg Livers – Health Promotion Specialist for Wellness and Health Promotion at UND
- Emma Besch – It’s On Us at UND President
7:45 p.m. Victoria Hamilton, 2026 Dru Sjodin Memorial Scholarship Recipient and the 2026 UND Changemaker Award announcement
8 p.m. Walk
To learn more about the history of Take Back the Night, visit their website at takebackthenight.org.
Written by Lonna Whiting