I. Call to order
Ruth Jones called to order the meeting of the Campus Committee on Sexual Responsibility & Misconduct (CCSRM) at 11 a.m. on April 16, 2015 in Hameetman 225.
II. Members Attending
The following persons were present:
Richard Mora, Sara Semal, Eileen Spain, Ruth Jones, Jordan Brown, Movindri Reddy, Karla Aguilar, Brian Erickson, Veronika Barsegyan.
III. Title IX Office update
The need for additional meetings to finish the review of the policies and procedures as soon as possible (and before the fall semester) was raised. These additional meeting times will be presented to the committee during the meeting next week.
IV. Interim Measures/Remedies Provisions presented by Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Chemistry Professor Eileen Spain
A. Eileen Spain explained an overview of the academic interim measures/remedies provisions that she drafted. The purpose of the provisions is to be able to more effectively and quickly respond to students needs in regard to interim measures. Every case that comes through the Title IX Office is different, and both complainants and respondents have varying needs.
B. One key recommendation is to have the letters of flexibility be more tailored and specific to each individual student. These letters would also include an FAQ document, which will be provided to each faculty member that receives a letter of flexibility from the Dean of Students Office. Some FAQ’s will include: Should I reach out to the student? Recommended timeline for extensions to provide to students? All options they can offer to their students (e.g. resources for getting additional academic help – Writing Center, how to take notes, time management, comprehension skills, tutoring, Disability Services, etc.)? What to do if taking an "Incomplete" may be more appropriate? Who to consult with for more information about the request (Dean of Students Office or the Faculty Chair; someone on the faculty side to collaborate with as well on providing unique accommodations)? What are the parameters to which they can alter a student’s academic assignments?
It was also suggested that this FAQ document include information regarding what a faculty member should and should not do when they receive an academic flexibility letter (e.g. don’t ask for details on what’s happened; don’t make assumptions about what’s happened; decision on academic interim measures must be made regardless of how a student has been performing in the course, etc.). Emmons may be able to provide additional training on how to speak with students who are experiencing a difficult time (i.e. avoiding statements that could add additional stress/burden on a student such as "Are you sure you want to withdraw from this course? It could really set you back…" etc.)
C. Incompletes: A committee member suggested the creation of an "Incomplete Agreement" that lists terms of the incomplete and identifies a timeline of appropriate check-in times with the student (currently, students have 1 year to complete their assignments for an "Incomplete", so potential check-in times could be every few months), to help track their progress and provide them with additional assistance if necessary.
D. Withdrawals: Students are currently able to withdraw from a course until the end of the semester. Withdrawals become tricky when relating to financial aid (based on part-time or full-time status of student). While "W’s" in the past used to be seen more as punitive, students who have "W’s" listed on their transcript can explain in a manner of their choice why they withdrew from a course (in the case they were interested in continuing their education after their obtaining their undergraduate degree).
E. Although students can receive interim measures when it comes to their academics, it was brought to the attention of the committee from one of the members that students who have an on-campus job may also need interim measures to assist them in their student employment/additional roles they have on campus.