UC Welcomes New Title IX Program Coordinator

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.

For instance, a new Title IX program coordinator, Remy Barnett, recently joined the university and will work to provide educational programming, prevention efforts, help students find the resources they need and provide case management in partnership with UC’s Title IX Coordinator

Jyl Shaffer

.

According to Barnett, “One of the best strengths I bring to this role is that I remember what it’s like to be a student, to be out on your own with difficulties and struggles, to be away from family and friends while you’re working to succeed academically and to grow as a person.”

Barnett, from St. Joseph, Mo., pursued her undergraduate degree 1,500 miles away, at Reed College in Portland, Ore., where she then worked as a Health and Wellness Program Assistant.

During her undergraduate career, Barnett transitioned genders, something that allows her to identify more fully the experiences of UC’s own LGBTQ community but also with the wide range of transitions that all students go through in college.

She explained, “Title IX is about equity and applies to all students of any gender, including male and female, cisgender and transgender, and we want to build community at UC with all our students, to prevent and respond to harassment, assault or intimate-partner violence  

Barnett adds, “If there’s one thing I would want students to know about me, it’s that in my role, I’m invested in them and their well being and support.”

FIND OUT MORE ON TITLE IX at UC

Ongoing Title IX education efforts at UC:

• UC and Army ROTC Battalion sign sexual assault prevention charter.
  

•  An ongoing climate assessment survey.

• Feb. 9-13 Healthy Relationships Week.

• The #UCItsOnUs campaign with speakers on Nov. 21, Jan. 29 and March 3.

• Student efforts related to Title IX, such as a Consent Culture Campaign carried out by students affiliated with DAAPCares, RECLAIM Peer Advocates and Student Government. See former 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 assault. 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.

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

• 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 – Anusha Zechella and Abby Lewis – have joined UC’s staff in order to serve, among other students, those who are survivors of sexual assaul

• UC Public Safety has a Special Investigations Unit which includes an Inspector with special training in sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking as well as a soon to be hired Coordinator of Victim Services. UCPD can be reached at 513-556-1111.

• 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.

• 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. New members of UC’s community with Title IX experience include Denine Rocco, Dean of Students; and Chief of UC Police and Director of Public Safety Jason Goodrich.