The past week has been a period of intense study and listening for the Working Group. We are energized by what we have learned and eager to continue this important dialogue.

Over the last seven days, Working Group members have:

Undergone intensive training on Title IX and St. Olaf’s policies, including training modules in four areas of sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence:

• Overview of legal requirements
• Trauma-informed training including the neurobiology of sexual assault trauma
• Obligations after an institution receives a report sexual violence
• Requirements for a prompt, fair and impartial complaint process
• Discussed Title IX best practices and the college’s policies with the national Title IX experts we retained last week
• Met with the Northfield Police Chief to discuss how the college and police department interact in sexual misconduct incidents

Attended three related on-campus events:

• Faculty and staff listening session conducted by SARN, the Wellness Center, and the Title IX team
• Beyond the IX panel conducted by It’s On Us (Two members of the Working Group participated on the panel)
• Sexual Assault Survivor Panel conducted by SARN

We recognize that there are opportunities for improvement in the current policy.

Yesterday we had an opportunity to talk with both prominent national Title IX experts as well as our own Title IX team. After 3.5 hours of intense and wide-ranging conversation in Buntrock, it has become clear to us that there are certain elements of the current system that work well, but there are also opportunities for improvement.

While we are studying Title IX best practices, we recognize that these are only best practices if they work within the context of the St. Olaf community. We envision a policy that balances our legal obligations, the psychological dynamics of interpersonal violence, and St. Olaf’s culture and values.

Last night was just the start of the conversation. Gina Maisto Smith and Leslie M. Gomez, our outside consultants, will visit campus for two days in late May to conduct a deep-dive and individual interviews with the full Title IX team and others on campus. Their vast expertise working with numerous colleges across the country will inform our recommendations.

We are eager to hear from you.

The Working Group outlined our plans to gather additional information to inform our recommendations. There continue to be a number of opportunities for your feedback.

• Student forum: Wednesday, May 4, from 7-9 p.m. at the Lion’s Pause
  On Wednesday, May 4, the Working Group is hosting an open student forum in the Lion’s Pause to welcome discussion with all students. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to provide feedback, there will be two one-hour sessions from 7-8 p.m. and from 8-9 p.m. SARN advocates will be available to provide support to participants as needed. The forum will be led by Emma Lind ’17 and Kaelie Lund ’16, the two student representatives on the Working Group. Several Working Group members will also participate in the forum.

• Upcoming Working Group meetings
  We are devoting our next three Working Group meetings to hearing from students who have experienced St. Olaf’s Title IX process, student support resources, and on- and off-campus victim advocate organizations. Invitations to students and organizations will be issued in the coming days.

• Online input
  We invite you to continue to share your perspectives with us on this Working Group site. We value your input and are in the process of reviewing all of the submissions.

We recognize that our work is incredibly important, and we are approaching our work with a sense of integrity and a deep commitment to the St. Olaf community.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Submitted by Tim Maudlin ’73
Chair of Title IX Working Group