Sexual Misconduct Support and

Response Update Faculty Meeting

March 7, 2011

1. Overview of changes to student complaint process

2. Fall Term Report1. Happenings fall term2. Community concerns

overview3. Title IX (gender equity, sexual

harassment/assault) related to reporting obligations

4. Questions

Summary of Review and Changes to the Student Complaint Process

Sexual Misconduct Complaint Process Review (2009-10)

– Faculty members were Bill North and Angela Curran– Looked at other schools (COFHE, regional, ACM)– Talked with constituents • DOS staff, staff/faculty participants in the process, consultant,

SMRB members, student participants, wellness center staff, adjudicators, etc.

– Town Hall Meetings with students, faculty and staff: evening (175) and brown bag (25)

– Update and Recommendations were given to College Council in March and May

Summary of Review and Changes to the Student Complaint Process

• College Council approved the recommendations of the review team (in May) and asked that student life staff, along with the college consultant on sexual misconduct prepare for changes and implementation to be put in place for fall 2010.

• Educational Associate was hired to assist staff in the preparation and implementation of changes for fall 2010 (temporary position).

Summary of Review and Changes to the Student Complaint Process

• Changes for fall term included a more clearly defined process, more transparency, more support, and more proactive education.– New website, one booklet and poster campaign– Re-alignment of and the creation of new responsibilities

for staff before, throughout and after the complaint process (complaint coordinator, advisers, CBSM)

– Community Concern Form…to report concerning behaviors in an effort to address things before more students/staff/faculty are affected

– Coordinated and collaborative training and education

A Productive Fall Term(see the Fall Term Report online)

• New process and support was put into place• Approximately 45 hours of trainings to various

groups on campus• Collaborative educational programming aimed at

preventing sexual violence and fostering healthy relationships

• NEW…Sexual Misconduct Committee (SMC)– SHARE was merged with a CEDI taskforce –

• There were 26 Community Concern Forms submitted by faculty, staff and students

Community Concern Forms (fall only)• 22 forms were regarding incidents that were

sexual in nature (assault, touching, streaking, public nudity, sexually explicit language/print, stalking).

• There were 16 incidents identified in the 26 submissions, meaning 10 reports were repeats of another incident/ behavior of concern, but observed or learned of by more than one individual.

• 11 of the 16 incidents involved alcohol.

Community Concern Forms• One community concern form from fall resulted in

a formal sexual misconduct complaint process and CBSM hearing during winter term.

• Follow-up… – All who submitted a form was contacted.– An Associate Dean of Students contacted the

individual who submitted a form where the concerning behavior was that of a student.

– The College Consultant contacted the individual who submitted a form where the concerning behavior was that of a faculty/staff.

Title IX Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (gender inequity, sexual harassment

and sexual assault) by any educational program or activity that receives federal funds.

• The law is enforced by the U.S. Office of Civil Rights (OCR).

• Failure to take appropriate action to address issues of gender-inequity, sexual harassment and/or sexual assault puts the College at risk for violating Title IX.

• Obligation under Title IX requires that the College official who knows of an incident and is someone with "sufficient authority to address the problem“ must address/report.

• Proactive/Preventative measures: Emphasis placed on training, identifying and communicating to the community an internal centralized repository of complaints, and insuring prompt action to address complaints.

Any Questions?