Colleges and universities across the country have been scrambling to address issues of sexual misconduct and rape culture on campus, but a recent shift in stance by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers may be influential in furthering the battle against these rampant problems.

Traditionally, the admissions association has recommended keeping track of student disciplinary records but not mandating the information be put on transcripts. However, the organization has changed its stance on putting serious misconduct on transcripts from “not recommended” to “optional.” This is significant because it indicates a needed revision to the attitude surrounding rape culture on college campuses.

As of now, there are only two states that require specific, serious incidents of misconduct such as sexual assault be put on transcripts. Iowa isn’t one of them, and that should change. According to surveys carried out by the admissions association, the majority of respondent colleges do not put minor infractions on college transcripts, but the real problem is that “85 percent said they do not include a student’s ‘ineligibility to re-enroll due to major disciplinary violations.’ ”

While students should not be punished forever for genuine mistakes made during college, severe misconduct especially sexual assault should be put on college transcripts.

We’ve all received the emails reporting incidences of sexual misconduct on campus, and it is impossible to say it is a nonissue. Institutions of higher learning must work to implement both pre-emptive and rectifying measures when discussing ways to address sexual misconduct. While the act can never be undone, policy can be put in place to mitigate the possibility of serial incidents. In addition to offering services that prevent the instance from taking place in the first place and those that help victims cope with the aftermath, institutions of higher learning must also put in place measures that prevent culprits from repeating their actions. Placing information about sexual misconduct on student transcripts is one of way of helping to do this.

Rape culture on college campuses is a difficult issue to solve, but ensuring that perpetrators are not able to get off scot-free by transferring schools is a step in the right direction. A large component that perpetuates college rape culture is the notion that perpetrators are never really held accountable for their actions, and there is evidence that supports this as fewer than one-third of students deemed responsible for sexual assault are expelled, according to a data review by the Huffington Post.

The line is thin when trying to determine just what type of infractions should follow students for the rest of their lives, but sexual assault sure seems like a good place to draw it. The responsibility of institutions of higher learning extends past what is taught in the classrooms. While education is the foundation these institutions are built upon, they serve a dual purpose of preparing students for a adult lives in society. In the real world, actions have consequences, and decisions follow you.

Colleges and universities, the University of Iowa included, should follow the example of New York and Virginia in making sure students are held responsible for their transgressions.