I am currently the coordinator of Student Leadership and Activities at Blinn. I have been trained on Title XI through my institution. I am also a mandatory reporter for Blinn College. These civil rights are vital to protecting at-risk populations. This topic needs to be analyzed to aid future professionals in the field protect themselves and their students.

 

Mr. Pinkerton described how cases that deal with Title XI have been increasing in number over recent years in higher education (C. Pinkerton, Personal Communication, March 10, 2022). In Texas, if an educator fails to report a case, they may receive repercussions in the form of a misdemeanor. Addressing harassment and assaults is imperative to creating a safe place for students, faculty, and staff. Title XI ensures that these allegations get investigated and holds people accountable to the best of the school’s ability (C. Pinkerton, Personal Communication, March 10, 2022).

 

Best Practices:

1.)   Discussion with faculty and staff about how to respond to situations where disclosure happens. Some may not be fully prepared for this instance, but they need to have a discussion about appropriate behavior and how to conduct themselves.

2.)    Creating a system for individuals to report inappropriate behavior. This will aid in giving survivors a voice and a location for records to be kept.

3.)   Creating workshops and information for students on campus about sexual violence and other topics under Title XI. Students will begin to understand what is considered a violation and know the warning signs. 

 

Many cases are being held against institutions with individuals claiming they were treated unfairly within their hearing. This issue has been raised multiple times in the past ten years and continues to this day. Individuals have stated they are denied due process. They discuss the discrimination based upon their sex since many of these cases are accusing men of the allegation. 

Website Link:
https://rellis.tamus.edu/academicalliance/campus-life/student-organizations/

 

Website:

 

Citations

Dunlap, J. (2020, January 9). Raising the stakes on Title IX Compliance. NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.naspa.org/blog/raising-the-stakes-on-title-ix-compliance 

 
Website:
https://www.chronicle.com/article/i-want-to-believe-at-byu-opponents-of-rules-on-same-sex-couples-welcome-federal-action

Citations

Mangan, K. (2022, February 11). Cal State’s Chancellor Said His Hands Were Tied. Title IX Experts Say He Could Have Done More. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.chronicle.com/article/cal-states-chancellor-said-his-hands-were-tied-title-ix-experts-say-he-could-have-done-more

 

Website:

https://www.highereddive.com/news/aau-takes-aim-at-pass-the-harasser-with-new-principles-on-sexual-miscondu/608949/

 

Citations

Bauer-Wolf, J. (2021, October 26). AAU takes aim at 'pass the harasser' with new principles on sexual misconduct. Higher Ed Dive. Retrieved March 10, 2022, from https://www.highereddive.com/news/aau-takes-aim-at-pass-the-harasser-with-new-principles-on-sexual-miscondu/608949/

 

·      Provides equal protection rights to individuals and will not be based upon gender, race, economic status, political view, etc.

·      The right to due process and citizenship in the United States. 

·      This amendment opened an avenue for Title IX to become a reality. It allowed many foundational concepts to become guaranteed to every person.

 

Website:

 

Citations

U.S. Const. amend. XIV

 

·      An individual makes an offense when they are required to report, and they have failed to do so.

·      With the intention to harm create a false report.

·      An offense will be a Class B misdemeanor unless it was intended to be concealed and then that is a Class A misdemeanor.

·      A post-secondary educational institution will terminate the employee if it falls in line with their disciplinary procedure.

·      This is important to understand as higher education staff and faculty to ensure we are reporting when necessary

 

Website:

 

Citations

Tex. Educ. Code § 51.255

 

·      Mr. Jackson believed he was fired for complaining about the denied equal treatment of his women’s basketball team.

·      He claimed his rights were violated due to retaliation from bringing up a sex discrimination issue. 

·      In a 5-4 decision, the court decided he could continue with his lawsuit due to the retaliation was an intentional violation of Title IX.

·      This allowed individuals to protect themselves from discrimination under Title IX.

 

Website:

 

Citations

Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Education, 544 U.S. 167 (2005) https://www.oyez.org/cases/2004/02-1672

 

·      A recipient with knowledge about an assault must respond promptly to the issue and respond without being purposefully indifferent. 

·      A recipient must treat the complainant and respondent equitably and provide supportive measures.

·      They must follow a grievance process that is outlined in 34 C.F.R. § 106.45 before issuing a sanction if any.

·      Title IX Coordinator must reach out to the complainant promptly and discuss supportive measures with and without filing a report. 

 

Website:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-I/part-106?toc=1

 

Citations

 

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, 34 C.F.R. § 106.44 (2022) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-I/part-106/subpart-D

 

Website:

 

Citations

 

Website:

 

Citations

 

·      A yearly survey to the students, faculty, and staff to understand the campus climate. This will allow us to understand what they need more information on and understand the campus as a whole.

·      A yearly workshop for faculty and staff to participate in to enhance education in specific areas of Title IX such as gender discrimination, assault, etc. 

·      At least one counselor trained in assault-based trauma to aid students who may need those specific services. Not every counselor is specialized in assaults and having one on staff may help survivors greatly.

·      Develop a grievances page with an anonymous option for Title IX related issues. Many students want to report an incident without feeling judged; this opens the avenue to have more knowledge on what is happening on campus. 

·      Consistently ensure policies are up to date with federal, state, and local laws. 

·      Notify students, faculty, and staff when an event occurs to keep them informed on the situation. Transparency is key.

·      Create and implement a chain of command to ensure the complaint is following the correct process. 

·      Inform faculty and staff, mandatory reporters in Texas, whom they reach out to, and the protocol for that.