Upload
amber-officer-narvasa
View
4
Download
1
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
ProposedChangestoColumbiasGenderBasedMisconductPolicyNoRedTape
1. Change the definition of consent to adopt a more comprehensive and practical
standard, and incorporate additional scenarios and examples of sexual violence in order to reflect the full range of experiences that fall into the category of sexual violence.
2. Reorganize the policy, placing definitions first, with the definition of consent first in that category. Follow the definitions section with policy and scenarios. This will help establish a common vocabulary and set of behavioral expectations before outlining the possible consequences of violating those expectations. Under Resources,incorporatetheadditionalresourceswevelisted.
3. Practicemeaningfultransparencyandaccountability.4. Ensure adequate training of officers under the Office of GenderBased Misconduct
to improve student experiences with reporting and reflect the seriousness of sexual anddomesticviolenceonthiscampus.
5. Give students involved in adjudication processes adequate information and decisionmaking power regarding the investigative report, personnel involved in theircase,andlegal/emotionalsupportoptions.
6. Allow additional allegations against the same respondent (including past and concurrentlyopenallegations)asevidenceduringauniversityhearing.
7. Create a formal accommodations and support system for complainants through case management, and implement effective nocontact directives which require perpetratorsofviolencetoleavecampusspacesoreventsifthesurvivorispresent.
8. Treat cases of sexual and domestic violence with appropriately severe sanctions, including expulsion when called for by the complainant, and educational measures for all students found responsible. If respondents found responsible return to campus, they must be prohibited from holding positions of power, including but not limited to resident advisors, teaching assistants, and orientation leaders, and case management.
______________________________________________________________________
2
1. Changethedefinitionofconsentprovidedonpage20oftheOfficeofGenderBased
Misconductspolicytoadopttheonewehaveprovided,andincorporateadditionalscenariosandexamplesofsexualviolenceinordertoreflectthefullrangeofexperiencesthatfallintothecategoryofsexualviolence.1.1. Defineconsentas:Affirmative,conscious,enthusiastic,continuous,revocable,sober,
freelygivenandvoluntaryagreementtoengageinsexualactivity.1.1.1. Itistheresponsibilityofeachpersoninvolvedinsexualactivitytoensurethat
theyhavetheaffirmativeconsentoftheother(s)toengageinsaidsexualactivity.1.1.2. Lackofprotestorresistancedoesnotmeanconsent.Silencedoesnotmean
consent.1.1.3. Consentmustbeongoingthroughoutasexualactivityandcanberevokedatany
time.1.1.4. Consenttooneformofsexualactivitydoesnotimplyconsenttootherformsof
sexualactivity.1.1.5. Theexistenceofadatingrelationshiporpriorsexualhistorybetweenthepersons
involvedshouldneverbeanassumedindicatorofconsent.1.1.6. Consentcannotbeprocuredbytheuseofcoercion,manipulation,physicalforce,
compulsion,threats,orintimidatingbehavior.1.1.7. Consenttoengageinsexualactivitywithonepersondoesnotimplyconsentto
engageinsexualactivitywithanother.1.1.8. Someoneintoxicatedbydrugsoralcohol,unconscious,disabled,orotherwise
madehelplessandthereforeincapableofunderstandingthefact,nature,orextentofthesexualactivitycannotconsent.Concerninginvolvementofdrugsoralcohol:
1.1.8.1. Theuseofalcoholordrugsdoesnotjustifyorexcusebehaviorthatconstitutesgenderbasedmisconduct.
1.1.8.2. Theuseofalcoholorotherdrugsnevermakessomeoneatfaultforexperiencinggenderbasedmisconduct.Thoughalcoholconsumptionandsexualassaultoftenoccurtogether,alcoholisnotthecauseofsexualassault.Alcoholisusedasatoolofcoercionandcamouflagetoperpetuatesexualassault.
1.2. ThecurrentdefinitionofGenderBasedHarassmentstatesthatharassmentisunacceptablewhenitunreasonablyinterfereswithsomeoneslife.Anyharassmentthatinterfereswithsomeonesphysical,mental,oremotionalwellbeingisunreasonable.Thepolicysdefinitionmustberevisedtoreflectthis.
1.3. Addadditionalscenarios,including:1.3.1. Oneexplicitlyqueerscenario.
3
1.3.2. OneinvolvingDomesticorDatingViolenceand/orsexualcoercioninthecontextofanintimaterelationship.
1.3.3. Oneshowingabreachofaffirmativeconsent,demonstratingthatsilencedoesnotmeanyes.
1.4. Includestalkingasanexampleofsexualharassment.2. Reorganizethepolicy,placingdefinitionsfirst,withthedefinitionofconsentfirstinthat
category.Followthedefinitionssectionwithpolicyandscenarios.Thiswillhelpestablishacommonvocabularyandsetofbehavioralexpectationsbeforeoutliningthepossibleconsequencesofviolatingthoseexpectations.UnderResources,incorporatetheadditionalresourceswevelisted.2.1. ExplicitlystatetheresourcesavailableatSt.Lukes,includingtrainedadvocates,rape
kits,STItestingandemergencycontraception,andsupportgroups.2.2. Includethebusinesshoursofeachonandoffcampusresource.2.3. UnderResourcesforStudentsandandintheConfidentialityProtectionsand
ReportingObligationschart,clarifytheconfidentialityclause.Makeclearthatasurvivorandtheirsupporterscanseeksupportfromfriends,family,andothersurvivors(includingothercurrentstudents)duringthecourseoftheadjudicationprocesswithoutfearofdiscipline.Thisisimportanttoclarify,becauseinthepast,studentshavebeenrestrictedfromdiscussingtheirexperienceswithanyothercurrentstudentsduringthedisciplinaryproceedings.Somehaveevenbeenformallysanctionedfordoingso.
3. Practicemeaningfultransparencyandaccountability.
3.1. Providethestudentbodywithtimelywarningsregardingreportedactsofoncampussexualviolence.Studentshavearighttoknowwhensuchincidentstakeplace,asrespondentsposeanongoingthreattothecommunitywhiletheyremainoncampusduringtheiradjudicationandbeyond.Givenratesofserialperpetrationandviolencebetweenacquaintancesandintimatepartners,theadministrationandcomplainantsawarenessoftheincidentandtheperpetratorsidentityinnowayensuresthesafetyofstudents.ThesealertsaremandatedbytheJeanneCleryAct,whichstatesthatuniversitiesshallmaketimelyreportstothecampuscommunityoncrimesconsideredtobeathreattootherstudentsandemployeessuchreportsshallbeprovidedtostudentsandemployeesinamannerthatistimelyandthatwillaidinthepreventionofsimilaroccurrences(20U.S.C.1092(f)(3))Thealertsarealreadysentoutforreportedoffcampusassaults,butnotoncampuscases.Theyshouldnotcontainidentifyinginformationregardingthecomplainant.
3.2. InstituteamandatoryandcomprehensivereviewoftheGenderBasedMisconductPolicyeverytwoyearswhichdirectlysolicitsandintegratestheconcernsofstudentsandsurvivorsoncampus.
3.3. Createanonlineevaluationformforeverystudentwhomakesaformalreport.EverycomplainantandrespondentinagenderbasedmisconductcasemustfillthisformoutaftertheircasewiththeOfficeofGenderBasedMisconductiscompleted,andtheresultsoftheevaluationmustbesenttoPACSA(notjustaselectgroupofadministrators.
4
3.4. Upholdstudentsrighttofullyprotectedfinancialaidpackagesandfullreimbursementforanylosttuitionshouldtheyneedtowithdrawortakeatemporaryleaveofabsencebecauseoftheirexperiencesofsexualordomesticviolence,asmandatedbyfederalguidance.
3.5. TheOGBMmustmakethefollowinginformationaccessibletorespondentsandcomplainants:
3.5.1. Thenamesandtraining/qualificationsofallinvestigators,hearingpanelists,casemanagers,sanctioningandappealsofficers,volunteerattorneys,andanyotherpersonsofinfluencewithintheircasecase.StudentsareentitledtoknowhoweachofthesepeoplehasbeentrainedbytheOfficeofGenderBasedMisconduct.Currently,studentshavenoideawhoisinvolvedintheircasesandmanyhavehaddisturbinginteractionswithinvestigators,hearingpanelists,sanctioningandappealsofficers,andotherUniversityrepresentativesthatrevealanunacceptablelackoftrainingandsensitivity.
3.5.2. Namesofwitnessesinthecase.Studentsmustreceiveawrittenexplanationfrominvestigatorsiftheyareunableorunwillingtocontactcertainwitnessesbeforethehearing.
3.5.3. Theinvestigatorsassessmentsofcredibilityforeachpartyinacase.Giventhehighlysubjectivenatureoftheinvestigatorsevaluationofcredibility,andtheinfluenceithasoverthepanelsultimatedecision,studentsshouldhavearighttomorethanoneinvestigatorcontributingtotheirevaluationofcredibilityandtherighttochallengethatevaluation.
3.5.4. Resolutionwithin60daysoftheprocess.Strictparametersdictatingthelegitimacyofdelaysmustbecreatedinordertoprotectthisright.TheOfficeofGenderbasedMisconductmustestablishsomemechanismbywhichstudentscanreportandchallengeviolationsofthisright.Manysurvivorshavewatchedtheircasesstretchonformonthswithnoresolutiondespitethepolicysgoalof60dayhearings,andthishasaddedhoursofadditionalanxietyandtraumaforstudentsnavigatingtheprocess.Forexample,onesurvivorwasforcedtoremaininNYCoverthesummerinsteadofreturninghomebecausehercasestretchedonfor5months.
4. EnsureadequatetrainingofofficersundertheOfficeofGenderBasedMisconductto
ensureeffectiveness,sensitivity,andreflecttheseriousnessofsexualanddomesticviolenceonthiscampus.4.1. Removedeansfromdecisionmakingrolesassanctioningandappealsofficers.
4.1.1. Deanshavenoexpertiseindynamicsofsexualordatingviolencepreventionorresponse,andarecompletelyunqualifiedtomakedecisionsaboutsanctioningandappealsinthesecases.Ittakesyearsofprofessionalizedtrainingnot2hourstounderstandthecomplexitiesofgenderbasedviolenceanditsimpacts.Furthermore,theircompetingresponsibilitiesforfundraising,alumnirelations,studentactivities,andthepublicimageoftheschoolcreateaconflictofinterestthatthemostwellintentionedadministratorwouldstrugglewith.Bothvictims
5
andaccusedstudentsdeservetohavedecisionsofthisseriousnessmadecompetentandimpartialindividuals.
4.1.2. Deanshavedemonstratedthestructuralimpossibilityofthecurrentsystembyregularlyhandingdown1and2semestersuspensionsforstudentsfoundresponsibleforrape,despitetheirrepeatedpromisestorespondwithappropriategravity.Thisisnotaboutanegativejudgmentofthedeanscharacterbutabouttheirstructuralinabilitytobeunbiasedandtheirlackofexpertiseintheareaofrespondingtoandpreventingsexualviolence.
5. Givestudentsinvolvedinadjudicationprocessesadequateinformationanddecisionmaking
powerregardingtheentireprocessincludingtheinvestigativereport,personnelinvolvedintheircase,andlegal/emotionalsupport.5.1. TheOfficeofGenderBasedMisconducthastheobligationtoensurethatall
complainantsandrespondentsrightsaremadeclearinwritingfromthebeginningoftheprocessandupheldthroughout.Theserightsincludetherightto:
5.1.1. Beinformedastowhospecificallymayreviewtheirreport/statementsineachstepoftheadjudicationprocessasperthepolicy.
5.1.2. Haveaclearprocedurethroughwhichtheycanmakechangestotheinvestigativereport,andwhichdetailswhetherchangeswillbemadetothecontentofthereportoraddedontotheendasanaddendum.
5.1.3. Providequestionsforwitnessestobeaskedduringthehearing.5.1.4. Refrainfrommakingselfincriminatingstatementsinaccordancewiththeir5th
Amendmentrights.5.1.5. Whenastudentisfoundresponsible,thesurvivorshouldbegiventhe
opportunitytomakeanimpactstatementduringthepointoftheadjudicationprocesswhenthedecisionmakerisdeliberatingonappropriatesanctions,toexplainwhatsanctionstheyfeelwouldbestensuretheirmentalwellbeingandpreventcontinuedharassment,violence,ortrauma.
5.1.6. ReviewtheirinvestigativereportoutsidetheOfficeofGenderBasedMisconducttoensuretheyhavesufficienttimetopreparetheirstatementswithlegalcounselasappropriate.Currently,complainantsandrespondentsareonlysometimesprovidedwithacopyoftheinvestigativereportbutothertimesareonlyallowedtoreviewitinsidetheoffice.Usingtheuniversityslettersendingprocessviaunisignin,forthedurationofthecase,wouldbeanaptwaytoaccomplishthis.
5.1.7. Bringanattorneyorlegaladvisorinadditiontoapersonalsupportpersonduringthehearingprocess.Survivorshaveexpressedfrustrationthattheyhavetochoosebetweenprofessionallegalsupportandemotionalsupport.
5.2. Restorativeand/ortransformativejusticeprocessesshouldbemadeavailablewhenbothpartiesconsenttoparticipate.
5.2.1. Columbiamustpartnerwithanorganizationspecializinginrestorativeand/ortransformativejusticedevelopthisoption,andshouldincludeathoroughdescriptionoftheavailablerestorativeand/ortransformativejusticeprocessesin
6
thepolicyandtheexplanationofrightsdistributedatthebeginningoftheprocess.
5.3. Studentswhoobstructjusticethroughouttheinvestigationand/oradjudicationprocessesmustfacepunitivetreatment.Complainantsandrespondentsshouldbeprovidedwithanoptiontofileacomplaintofobstructionofjusticeiftheyfeeltheotherpartyintheircasehasengagedinsuchbehavior,andthisshouldbeconsideredinthehearing,sanctioning,andappealsdecisions.Forexample,asurvivorshouldhavebeenabletoreportheraccusedrapistwhoattemptedtobribeamutualfriendtoactasafavorablewitness.
5.3.1. Obstructionofjusticeincludes(butisnotlimitedto)themanipulationanddestructionofevidenceaswellastheintentionaldelayingofproceduresthroughouttheadjudicationprocess,and,obviously,falsifyingdetailsintestimony.
5.4. Inappealsproceedings:5.4.1.1. TheUniversityshouldnotrequirecomplainantsandrespondentsto
reappearbeforethehearingpanelortheinvestigativeofficersduringtheappealsprocess.However,complainantsandrespondentsshouldhavearighttoreappearbeforethehearingpanelortheinvestigativeofficersiftheysochoose.Thiswillhelpensurethatbothsidesofanycaseareaccuratelyandequitablyportrayedinanyappealsproceedings.
5.4.1.2. IftheAppealsOfficerdecidestoconveneanewhearingpanelfortheappeal,ratherthanreconveningtheoriginalpanel,theymustprovideanexplanationinwritingforwhythisdecisionswasmade.Eitherpartyshouldhavetherighttochallengethisdecisioniftheyfeelitwasmadeunfairly.
5.4.1.3. Deansshouldnotbegivenjurisdictionovertheappealsprocess.Giventhatanappealisthefinalandmostseriouschallengeastudentcanmakeinthisprocess,thepersontaskedwithdeterminingthevalidityoftheseappealsshouldbeexceptionallywellqualified,clearlyimpartial,andhaverealprofessionalexpertiseingenderbasedmisconductissues.Forexample,DeanValentinitaughtChemistrybeforemovinguptheColumbiahierarchythroughvariousadministrativeroles.Thisdoesnotqualifyhimtobethefinalarbiterinseriouscasesofgenderbasedviolence.Deanslacktheprofessionalexpertisetoholdarolethatgivesthemtheauthoritytounilaterallydecidethesecases.Further,theircompetingresponsibilitiesasDeansmaymaycomplicatetheirabilitytoserveasimpartialdecisionmakersinthisrole.Inatleast5casesinthelastyear,survivorshavefeltthatDeansmadeunfair,biased,oruninformeddecisionsintheappealprocessthatnegativelyaffectedtheoutcomeoftheircaseandcausedthemextremedistress.
6. Allowallallegationsagainstthesamerespondent(includingpastandconcurrentlyopen
allegations)asevidenceduringauniversityhearing.
7
6.1. Allformalreportsofviolenceorgenderbasedmisconductmadeagainstagivenrespondent,andallwitnesstestimonyregardingtherespondentengaginginviolenceorgenderbasedmisconductthathasnotresultedinaformalreport,shouldbeconsideredinthehearing,sanctioning,andappealsprocesses.Suchinformationiscrucialevidencetoindicateapotentialpatternofbehavior.Itisstandardprocedureinthecriminaljusticesystemtoallowopenpolicereportstobeconsidered,regardlessofwhetherthereporthasresultedinaconviction.TheUniversityhasallowedserialperpetratorstoremainoncampusbyrefusingtoconsidercasesopenconcurrentlyagainstthesamerespondent.
6.1.1. Thismustapplytoanyconcurrentcasesagainstthesamerespondent,andincludeevidenceofarespondentshistoryofviolentactsbeyondgenderbasedmisconductincluding,butnotlimitedto,criminalanduniversitydisciplinaryrecords.
6.1.2. Thishasbeenamajorissueforsurvivorswhoattempttoreportserialperpetratorsespeciallygiventhetypicallengthoftheseinvestigationsandcases,itsimperativethatopencasescanbeconsideredconcurrentlyinordertoidentifyserialperpetratorsandtreatrepeatoffenderswithappropriateseverity.
7. Createaformalaccommodationsandsupportsystemforcomplainantsthroughcase
management.7.1. TheUniversitymuststipulateinnocontactdirectivesthatifthecomplainantand
respondentobserveeachotherinapublicplace,itistheresponsibilityoftherespondenttoleavetheareaimmediatelyandwithoutengagingwiththecomplainant.ThisshouldapplytoallpublicspacesandanyeventssponsoredbytheUniversityoranyUniversityprograms,offices,departments,teams,orrecognizedstudentgroups.
7.2. TheOGBMmustimplementaformalaccommodationsrequestsystemthroughwhichsurvivorsareabletorequestinterimmeasuresandaccommodations.Currently,survivorscanrequestthesemeasuresfromtheircasesmanagersbutthesecanberejectedorignoredwithnoformalexplanation.Survivorsareentitledtothesemeasuresbylawyetmanysurvivorshavehadtheserequestsdeniedwithoutexplanation.Forexample,onesurvivorwasnotpermittedtowithdrawfromaclassthoughtheysufferedseverepanicattacksbecauseoftheirPTSDandwerenotabletoparticipatefully.Anothersurvivorrequestedthatherabuserbeblockedfromaccessingherdorm,butwastoldtheOGBMwouldnotrestricthisaccessbecauseheshouldbeabletoseehisfriends.
7.2.1. ManystudentsurvivorsdonotwanttobeginthetraumaticprocessoffilingaformalcomplaintwiththeUniversity,butmaystillneedhousingandacademicaccommodations.TheUniversitymustclearlyandexplicitlycreateaprocessforrequestingaccommodationswithoutautomaticallystartingaformaladjudicationprocess.
7.2.2. Thisformalrequestssystemmustexplicitlyofferandprovidetheabilitytorequestposthearingaccommodations(suchasacademicorhousingchanges)eveniftherespondentisnotfoundresponsible.
7.2.3. Itmustincludeaspecifictimeframewithinwhicheachrequestmustbeassessedandrespondedto.
8
7.2.4. Itmustrequireawrittenexplanationregardingtheapprovalordenialofanyrequest.
7.3. TheUniversitymustestablishawaytoseriouslyenforceaccessrestrictions,asthecurrentprocedureisineffectiveandleavesstudentsunsafe.Asthecurrentpolicyallows,arespondentorperpetratormayhavetheirswipeaccesstoabuildingrevokedhowever,anotherpersoncanstillsignthatpersonintotheverylocationfromwhichthatpersonisprohibitedfromentering.ItisimperativethattheOGBMcollaboratewithHousingandPublicSafetytocreateaviableprotocolinresidencehallsthatmoreeffectivelypreventstheserestrictionsfrombeingbroken.Becauseourcurrentsigninsystemfailstopreventthis,survivorshavetoliveinconstantanxietythatthepersonwhoassaulted,abused,orstalkedthemmightentertheirbuildingatanytime,whichisunsafeandunacceptable.
7.3.1. Inadditiontoswipeaccessbeingrevoked,thesystemshouldpreventrespondents/perpetratorsfromgettingsignedinbyotherstudents.Violationsofthisshouldbetreatedwithseriousdisciplinaryactionforboththestudentwhoviolatestheorder,andanyotherstudentwhoaidsthestudentingainingaccesstoaprohibitedbuilding.
7.4. TheOGBMshouldcreateaprotocolforasituationinwhicharespondentandcomplainantwanttotakethesameclass,whethertherespondentisfoundresponsibleornot.Thisshouldbeimplementedproactivelyratherthanwaitingforsurvivorstoattendclassandrealizetheyarebothenrolled,andshouldcontinueuntilthecomplainantgraduates.
7.4.1. AsperguidelinesfromtheDepartmentofEducationonTitleIXimplementation,theburdenofanyaccommodationsorinterimmeasuresshouldnotfallonthesurvivororcomplainant(i.e.ifthetwopartiesshareaclass,therespondentshouldberemovedfromtheclassratherthanthesurvivor).
7.5. AsperguidelinesfromtheDepartmentofEducationonTitleIXimplementation,anycostsincurredbythecomplainantinsecuringaccommodationsmustbecoveredbytheUniversity,andthisshouldbeguaranteedinthepolicy.Forexample,ifastudentsurvivorcannotremainintheirdormforsafetyreasons,theschoolmusteitherprovidesuitablehousingoncampusforfree,includingcoveringanyadditionalcostsifastudentismovedintoamoreexpensivedorm,orcovertheexpensesrelatedtorentingahotelroom.AstudentwhoneedssupplementaltutoringbecausetheirPTSDpreventedthemfromfocusinginclassshouldbeprovidedtutoringatnocost.Astudentshouldnotbechargedforhavingexperiencedgenderbasedviolence.
7.6. ComplainantsandRespondentsmustbenotifiedinadvanceiftheOfficeofGenderBasedMisconductiscontactingacademic,athletic,andextracurriculardepartmentstoshareinformationregardingtheircase.
8. Treatcasesofsexualanddomesticviolencewithappropriatelyseveresanctions,including
expulsionwhencalledforbythecomplainant,educationalmeasures,andcasemanagementifrespondentsfoundresponsiblereturntocampus.8.1. Ifastudentisfoundresponsibleforcommittinggenderbasedviolenceandsanctioned
withsuspension,theminimumdurationforsuspensionshouldbetheremainderofthe
9
timethatthesurvivorwillbeastudentatthecollege.Thiswillensurethatsurvivorsareabletopursuetheireducationwithouthavingtoliveinconstantfearofseeingtheirrapistorabuser.AdditionalrequirementstosuspensionsmustincludemeaningfuleducationalprogrammingandmandatoryfollowupwithCaseManagersuponthesuspendedstudentsreturntocampus.
8.1.1. Ifstudentsfoundresponsibleofgenderbasedmisconductareallowedbackoncampustheymustbeprohibitedfromleadershiproleswheretheywouldhavepoweroverotherstudents,including,butlimitedto,residentadvisors,teachingassistantsandorientationleaders.Thereiscurrentlynopolicyprohibitingthisandthatisunacceptable.Currently,theUniversityallowsthosefoundresponsibleofGenderBasedMisconducttoholdleadershippositionsoncampusasResidentAdvisors,TeachingAssistants,andOrientationLeaders.Thisisunacceptable.Allowingpeoplefoundresponsibleofgenderbasedmisconducttosupervisethephysical,emotional,andacademicwellbeingofstudentsjeopardizesstudentsafety.Thisisespeciallyrelevantinthecaseoffirstyears,whoarethemostvulnerabletosexualviolenceandwholookuptoRAsandTAsforguidance.Thisisasimplematterofstudentsafety,asthepositionsofRAandTAputperpetratorsinapositionwheretheyholdpowerandinfluenceoveryoungerandmorevulnerablestudentsandcaneasilyabusethistrust.GiventhatRAs,TAs,andorientationleaderstendtohavethemostoneononecontactwithfirstyears,whoarealreadystatisticallythemostvulnerabletosexualassaultoncampus,itisunsafeforpeoplefoundresponsibleofGenderBasedMisconducttoholdthesepositions.
8.2. Ifastudentisfoundresponsibleforcommittingsexualassault,theavailablesanctionsshallbeeitherexpulsionorimmediatesuspension.
8.3. Priortoimposinganysanction,aSanctioningOfficerwillconsultwiththeGenderBasedMisconductOfficeaboutsanctionsimposedinsimilarcases.(OGBMPolicy,16)
8.3.1. GiventheegregiouslyinappropriateandweaknatureofprevioussanctionsimposedbytheUniversity,theUniversityshouldnotimposesanctionsbasedontheprecedentestablishedbysimilarcases.Onesemestersuspensionsarenotanappropriatelyseveresanctionforsexualassaultordatingviolence.Instead,sanctionsshouldreflectanapproachwhichacknowledgesthegravesignificanceofsuchviolence.Initsresponsetoperpetrators,theUniversityshouldrecognizethatmeasuressuchascomprehensivereeducationand/orexpulsionarenecessarytopreventperpetratorsfromposingcontinuedthreatstothecampuscommunityandsocietyatlarge.
8.4. TheUniversitywillrequireanystudentdeterminedtoberesponsibleforaviolationofthePolicytoreceiveappropriateeducationand/ortrainingrelatedtothegenderbasedmisconductviolationatissue.(OGBMPolicy,17)
8.4.1. Allperpetratorsshouldreceiveathorough,meaningful,andevidencebasededucationsurroundingtheperpetrationofgenderbasedmisconducttohelppreventfutureviolence.However,thecurrenteducationalrequirementsare
10
inadequateinaddressingtheseverityofgenderbasedmisconduct.Currently,Columbiaassignsreflectiveessaysasapunishmentforsexualassaultinsomecases.Essaysarenotameaningfulmethodofeducationinthiscontext.Appropriateeducationalprogramsmustbecomprehensive,administeredbytrainedprofessionalswithexperienceinsexualviolenceprevention,andinformedbyavailableresearchonbestpracticesforpreventionprogramming.
8.4.1.1. Generalinformationregardingthecontentandstructureofthesereeducationoptionsshouldbeclearlyexplainedandpubliclyavailable.
8.4.1.2. Theadministratorsordepartmentsresponsibleforoverseeingtheeducationandtrainingcomponentofsanctioningshouldbeidentifiedinthepolicy.
8.4.1.3. TheUniversitymustreviseitsinterpretationoftheresponsibleemployeeclauseofTitleIX,andceaserequiringprofessorsandRAstobemandatoryreportersofsexualanddomesticviolence.Bycurrentlyembracingamaximalinterpretationofthisclause,theuniversityfurtheralienatessurvivorsbydeprivingthemofsupportfromtheirpeersandtrustedadultsintheirlives.Additionally,ifstudentsneedtorequestaccommodationsfromprofessorsbecausetheyareexperiencingtrauma,theyshouldbeabletodosowithouthavingtheirexperiencesreportedtoOGBM.
8.5. Communityserviceisnotasufficientsanctionforperpetratorsofsexualviolence,thoughitcanbeanappropriateandhelpfulcomponentofsanctionswhencombinedwithmorerigorousrequirements.
8.6. Publishalistofsanctioningofficersandappealsofficersandthetrainingtheyhavereceived.
8.7. Toensuretransparentandlegitimatesanctioningprocesses,theOfficemustincludeinitsannualpublicationanaggregate,anonymizedreportofthesanctionsimposedonstudentsfoundresponsibleforcommittinggenderbasedviolenceoncampus.Thisshouldincludeallthecaseswhichwereconcludedinthegivenacademicyear(notsimplyallthecaseswhichwerereportedinthatyear).ThisapproachisalreadyfollowedbypeerinstitutionslikeYaleandtheUniversityofConnecticut.
8.8. Therespondentsconductduringthedisciplinaryprocess.(OGBMPolicy,7)8.8.1. Otherthanattemptsmadebytherespondenttoobstructjustice,conductofthe
respondentduringthedisciplinaryprocessshouldnotinfluencesanctioning.Astudentcanbewellmanneredduringaninvestigationprocessandstillhavecommittedanactofseriousviolence.