{"id":584,"date":"2016-07-13T16:31:39","date_gmt":"2016-07-13T21:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/title-ix\/?page_id=584"},"modified":"2016-07-14T13:39:50","modified_gmt":"2016-07-14T18:39:50","slug":"release-of-the-title-ix-working-group-report","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/title-ix\/release-of-the-title-ix-working-group-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Release of the Title IX Working Group Report"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"an<\/a>
Select the image above to download a PDF of the Title IX Working Group Executive Summary.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n

Over the past three months, so many of you shared thoughtful ideas and concerns and\u00a0provided encouragement and prayers as our Working Group embarked on an important study of St.\u00a0Olaf\u2019s Title IX policy.<\/p>\n

While we heard differing perspectives on how to better accomplish several matters, in my opinion the\u00a0St. Olaf community shares a common overarching goal: the safety of the college\u2019s current and\u00a0prospective students.<\/p>\n

In early April, President David Anderson asked if I would lead a Working Group to conduct a\u00a0comprehensive review of St. Olaf\u2019s Title IX policy, practices, support resources, and related matters. As a\u00a0condition of accepting this position, I required that the Working Group be completely independent and\u00a0have the authority to retain independent advisors. President Anderson agreed and framed our charge to\u00a0be thorough, comprehensive, and actionable.<\/p>\n

The 10 members of the Working Group brought differing backgrounds and perspectives and had varying\u00a0degrees of experience with Title IX and sexual assault. That said, we all share the St. Olaf community\u2019s\u00a0strong common desire to ensure St. Olaf is a safe and supportive place for current and future students.<\/p>\n

\"an<\/a>
Select the image above to download a PDF of the Title IX Working Group Report to the Community.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Intense and emotional process<\/h4>\n

The process was intense and, at times, emotional. Although our charge did not include the review of\u00a0individual case files, we heard from so many courageous students who shared their painful experiences.\u00a0We also heard from members of St. Olaf\u2019s Title IX Team, all of whom were candid, helpful, and open to\u00a0change. We received training. We attended student and faculty forums. We read every comment and\u00a0suggestion that was submitted online. Everyone helped us see St. Olaf\u2019s culture through varied lenses\u00a0and experiences.<\/p>\n

We have been greatly assisted by two of the nation\u2019s foremost experts on Title IX: Gina Maisto Smith\u00a0and Leslie M. Gomez from Pepper Hamilton. Ms. Smith and Ms. Gomez have helped colleges across the\u00a0country confront the issue of sexual assault and institutions\u2019 responses to it. Their knowledge is fresh\u00a0and relevant. Their encouragement and insight were invaluable to the Working Group and others with\u00a0whom they engaged throughout the process.<\/p>\n

I have the utmost respect and extend my deepest appreciation for their passion and tireless work with\u00a0St. Olaf and other higher education institutions throughout our nation to prevent sexual assault and\u00a0ensure that students who experience sexual assault are supported.<\/p>\n

I am also grateful to President Anderson for providing the Working Group with this opportunity to\u00a0confront a very difficult issue in an open, transparent and inclusive way. President Anderson respected\u00a0the independence of the Working Group. He honored the integrity of our process and our timeline,\u00a0despite pressure from the community for immediate answers. He frequently and consistently affirmed\u00a0his confidence in the Working Group and his intent to faithfully consider our recommendations and\u00a0implement appropriate changes for the 2016\u201317 academic year.<\/p>\n

I am humbled by and grateful for the dedication and wisdom of the Working Group members who gave\u00a0so generously of their time and attention.<\/p>\n

The Working Group Report to the Community (download PDFs of the Executive Summary<\/a> and Final Report<\/a>) documents what we heard from the St. Olaf community,\u00a0our deliberations, and our recommendations. The report is the result of the courage and commitment of\u00a0the St. Olaf community \u2014\u00a0including college leadership \u2014 to continually evaluate how to more effectively\u00a0confront the difficult and complex issue of sexual assault.<\/p>\n

Diverse beliefs and ideas<\/h4>\n

St. Olaf is a community of diverse beliefs and ideas, and we have heard many and varied perspectives\u00a0through this process. We expect that there may be many responses to the Working Group\u2019s\u00a0deliberations and recommendations. Some may feel that we have gone too far; some, not far enough. In\u00a0reality, there are many \u201cright\u201d ways to respond. Our goal was to find the right way for St. Olaf to\u00a0respond. We also recognize that the college\u2019s work in this area should never be complete \u2014\u00a0that we\u00a0should continue to assess, challenge, and improve as a college, a community, and a culture.<\/p>\n

I pray that proactively implementing the Working Group recommendations will enhance prevention and\u00a0bring more care and compassion when incidents happen.<\/p>\n

I am hopeful that the Working Group process has been \u2014 and that the implementation of the\u00a0recommendations will continue to be \u2014 a path toward healing for many individuals and the entire St. Olaf\u00a0community.<\/p>\n

Together I know we will create a more receptive culture where Oles are encouraged to talk about these\u00a0issues before and when they happen. And I know that we can have a process that is representative of\u00a0the care and compassion that is so bountiful in the St. Olaf community.<\/p>\n

Tim Maudlin \u201873<\/strong>
\nChair, Title IX Working Group<\/strong>
\nMember of the St. Olaf Board of Regents<\/strong><\/p>\n

Submit\u00a0your comments by July 25<\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n


\nSee all previous Title IX Working Group updates<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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