The St. Olaf Title IX Working Group held its first meeting on April 21. I was inspired by each member’s compassion, expertise, and commitment. We had a productive discussion that generated many ideas and formalized our group’s charge and initiatives.

Three main themes emerged from our meeting:

We are investing considerable resources to ensure a successful outcome.

• The group approved the retention of two prominent, nationally recognized Title IX attorneys from Philadelphia-based Pepper Hamilton LLP to provide a comprehensive review of St. Olaf’s policies, protocols and practices; make recommendations; and otherwise assist the Working Group. Gina Maisto Smith and Leslie M. Gomez have worked with numerous colleges and universities around the country, including University of Virginia, Baylor University, the University of Colorado system, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Amherst College, and Grinnell College. They helped guide the University of Virginia’s review of their Title IX policies in response to the rape allegations that surfaced in a controversial Rolling Stone Magazine.
• Working Group members will receive training in four areas of sexual assault, including legal requirements, obligations after receiving a report, information on the complaint process, and trauma-informed training.

We are listening.

• The Working Group wants to hear the experiences of students who have been through the Title IX process. We want to know what worked, what didn’t work, and ideas about how St. Olaf can do better for everyone.
• A faculty and staff listening session is planned for April 28 at 11:30 a.m.
• A student forum is planned for May 4 at 7 p.m.
• We have also invited other students who have participated in St. Olaf’s Title IX process to share their experiences and ideas with us.
• We are dedicating the Working Group’s meeting on May 5 to listening to students who have been through the Title IX process.

In addition, the Working Group will invite representatives from the following groups to share their perspectives during the listening phase of the process:

• SARN and Hope House
• It’s On Us
• Olaf’s Title IX team
• Dean of Students office
• College pastors
• Boe House
• Northfield Police Department
• Center for Multicultural and International Engagement

The Working Group encourages anyone who has an idea or concern to please submit their ideas online. Working Group members will read every response and have timely access to every idea and concern. For privacy reasons, the Working Group will not know the identity of anyone who submits a concern or idea.

St. Olaf is truly open to policy change and the Working Group has a plan in place to ensure changes are implemented before the start of the next school year.

• The Working Group has scheduled weekly meetings through the end of May, will hold two full-day working sessions in June and July, and will meet as needed in between. In addition, the group will hold supplemental meetings to hear and learn from students, experts and others.
• Our charge is ambitious and the work will be intense, but the group is ready to meet the challenge.

The Working Group is committed to transparency and will continue to provide updates throughout the process on this site. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Submitted by Tim Maudlin ’73, chair