UC s New Title IX Coordinator to Focus on Listening, Engagement with Campus Community

The recent release of a

White House report

and the White House’s

"It's On Us"

campaign, both designed to help protect students from sexual assault, has raised attention to crimes of sexual violence and their consequences to a new level of national prominence.

The University of Cincinnati, along with colleges and universities across the country, is working to find better ways of addressing sexual assaults on campus, such as an emphasis on education and prevention in the form of advocacy, training and resources. These include staff members with a background in prevention and response when it comes to Title IX issues.

• See UC’s Title IX website.

• Follow the #UCItsOnUs campaign on Twitter, and read more about the campaign.
  

• Follow the campaign on Facebook.
  

For instance, a new Title IX coordinator, Jyl Shaffer, has joined the university and will work to assist in fielding reports and complaints by members of the campus community, creating training programs, running prevention efforts and more.

UC and the wider community have a range of

resources

to address issues of sexual assault and sexual misconduct on campus. These include education and prevention programs, resources providing support to students in the wake of an incident and investigative bodies. Shaffer will work both to coordinate efforts across campus and to oversee and track the university's investigations of incidents alleged to violate UC’s

policies

related to sexual harassment and sexual offenses.

According to Shaffer, “For me, the role is an opportunity to think beyond Title IX as just impacting women in athletics. It’s about educating our community about why Title IX is important, such that a generation from now, sexual harassment in the workplace or other settings won’t be a problem we face. Sexual assaults and misconduct in education settings won’t be an issue we need to address any longer.”

Shaffer has worked in community and educational settings for more than 10 years, gaining experience in crisis counseling; advocacy; in investigations related to campus conduct, sexual misconduct and Title IX; providing diversity, child-abuse and victim response training to law enforcement personnel; and the creation and implementation of campus-wide training programs and educational materials. She comes to UC from the University of Houston where she served as the primary Title IX case investigator, which encompassed sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking cases.

She states that the best part of her role has been making a difference in students’ lives: “Part of the work means being a resource to people at a pivotal moment in their lives, and that allows me to have a positive impact. It’s great to get letters from students and other members of a community where they tell me that they decided to stay and succeed in a place because of work by me and other dedicated students, faculty and staff.”

While part of Shaffer’s responsibility is to investigate or oversee prompt and equitable investigations of sexual harassment and sexual assault complaints that involve students and to ensure the overall compliance of the university with Title IX, her role as an investigator is neutral. That often entails listening to those involved, allowing them to provide relevant information, and helping them be informed throughout the process. Another part of the role involves outreach, education and communication.

Shaffer said, “I really want students to be engaged with the issues around Title IX. As such, I wanted to hear when students are happy with our policies, procedures, outreach and training and when they’re not happy. After all, Title IX is for them.”

• Students can contact Shaffer via phone at 513-556-3349 or via email at jyl.shaffer@uc.edu

Title IX at UC

This focus on education and prevention is key in combating sexual harassment, misconduct and assault. Education efforts already underway include

• Student efforts related to Title IX, such as a Consent Cultural Campaign carried out by students affiliated with DAAPCares, RECLAIM Peer Advocates and Student Government. See Student Body President Christina Beer’s article on the Consent Culture Campaign at UC. To get involved, call 513-556-4401.

• More than 5,000 incoming first-year, transfer and international students took online training that highlighted the role alcohol often plays in terms of sexual misconduct. That training also focused on accountability and consequences, laws and policies governing sexual assault. That online training will be required of all UC students next year.

• UC student leaders have pledged to bring the White House "It's On Us" campaign to campus. Working with students, the Office of the Provost is sponsoring the  #UCItsOnUs campaign, which will include videos, banners, flyers, social media mentions and more.

• The UC Women’s Center, Office of the Provost, Fellows of the Graduate School and others are sponsoring a campus visit and address by Lynn Rosenthal, White House advisor on the topic of violence against women. She will speak at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 21, in the Great Hall, Tangeman University Center. The event is free and open to the public.

The resources include UC’s Title IX website as well as  

• UC's RECLAIM Peer Advocates deliver support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, providing advocacy, awareness and education around these issues. For services contact the Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate at 513-556-4328.

• UC’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS) serves as a 24/7 resource to students in crisis due to sexual harassment, misconduct or assault. Reach CAPS 24/7 by calling 513-556-0648. Two new counselors are being added who will provide general services to students but will specifically serve as a 24/7 resource to students in crisis due to sexual harassment, misconduct or assault.

• UC Police have a dedicated victim support team available to assist sexual assault survivors. UCPD can be reached at 513-556-1111.

• In addition to a new Title IX coordinator, other recent additions to UC’s campus community also bring Title IX experience that enhances the expertise already available from Erin Ascher, chief human resources officer, and Karla Gacasan, senior labor relations specialist. New members of UC’s community with Title IX experience incude Denine Rocco, dean of students; Trent Pinto, director of residence life and education; and incoming chief of UC police and director of public safety Jason Goodrich.
  

• By next summer, UC will have plans in place for campus climate surveys, bystander training as well as training for faculty and staff.