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1 Proposed Changes to Columbia’s GenderBased Misconduct Policy No Red Tape 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,” incorporate the additional resources we’ve listed. 3. Practice meaningful transparency and accountability. 4. Ensure adequate training of officers under the Office of GenderBased Misconduct to improve student experiences with reporting and reflect the seriousness of sexual and domestic violence on this campus. 5. Give students involved in adjudication processes adequate information and decisionmaking power regarding the investigative report, personnel involved in their case, and legal/emotional support options. 6. Allow additional allegations against the same respondent (including past and concurrently open allegations) as evidence during a university hearing. 7. Create a formal accommodations and support system for complainants through case management, and implement effective nocontact directives which require perpetrators of violence to leave campus spaces or events if the survivor is present. 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. ______________________________________________________________________

No Red Tape Policy Proposals

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    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.

    ______________________________________________________________________

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    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.

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    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.

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    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

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    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

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    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.

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    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.

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    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

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    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

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    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.