From an email received this afternoon. See the previous post on this blog:
To the Campus Community:
This is a very difficult message for us to write. Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced significant changes to Title IX regulations that govern how sexual assault and harassment accusations are handled on college campuses. Our hope is that these or any other changes do not discourage survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment from reporting these serious incidents or cause them to relive those traumas. We want to assure you that despite these changes, our university continues to stand by our commitment to combat sexual violence, harassment and all other forms of prohibited conduct on our campus.
In an already unsettling time, we know that these changes in federal regulation might lead to greater concerns and heightened anxiety. However, please be assured that they will not curtail UCLA’s efforts to support and maintain a community where everyone can work, live and learn in an environment free of all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual violence and harassment. UCLA remains dedicated to ensuring that our policies and procedures protect the rights and welfare of all parties involved in Title IX processes.
Confidential support services are available to anyone affected by sexual harassment or sexual violence. Students can find more information at the Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) and Student Legal Services websites. Faculty and staff can access counseling support at this page. Information on making a report is also available at the Title IX office website.
We are Bruins — always guided by our shared values and commitment to mutual respect, equity, diversity and inclusion. We will ensure that this campus continues to live up to those values.
Sincerely,
Gene D. Block
Chancellor
Jerry Kang
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
====
Comment: If the UCLA goal is not to discourage people from filing Title IX complaints, it seems odd to start the message with a note of dread (first sentence) rather than an assurance that complaints will be handled fairly (last two sentences). This email seems inadvertently designed to do what its authors don't want to have happen.
====
Update: The response of UC President Napolitano is at:
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-undeterred-despite-harmful-federal-sexual-harassment-rules-0. She expresses opposition to the new regs. But apart from the element of having a final outside neutral decision maker, it is not clear that the new regs change much in the current procedures at UC. And, as noted in the prior post on this blog, having an outside neutral is standard practice in union grievance procedures such as those long used at UC.
====
Comment: If the UCLA goal is not to discourage people from filing Title IX complaints, it seems odd to start the message with a note of dread (first sentence) rather than an assurance that complaints will be handled fairly (last two sentences). This email seems inadvertently designed to do what its authors don't want to have happen.
====
Update: The response of UC President Napolitano is at:
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-undeterred-despite-harmful-federal-sexual-harassment-rules-0. She expresses opposition to the new regs. But apart from the element of having a final outside neutral decision maker, it is not clear that the new regs change much in the current procedures at UC. And, as noted in the prior post on this blog, having an outside neutral is standard practice in union grievance procedures such as those long used at UC.
No comments:
Post a Comment