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View Bill 11-12-43

Senate Bill 11-12-43

Bill ID: 11-12-43
Name: Review of the University of Maryland Policies and Procedures on Sexual Harassment
Proposed: 05/03/2012
Sponsor: President Loh & Senate Executive Committee (SEC)
Proposal: A Sexual Harassment Task Force was created jointly by the President and the Senate to review and examine the University's Sexual Harassment Policies & Procedures. It has been requested that the task force determine whether and how the policies & procedures could be improved to comport with prevailing best practices. The goals of this review are fairness, clarity, and consistency.
Active?No
Policy: http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/vi120a.html

Status

Status: Completed
Completed On: 10/18/2013

History

Approval(s):
Presidential Approval: 10/18/2013
Related Files:

Reviewed By: Senate
Received: 10/03/2013
Decision Date: 10/10/2013
Decision Due By: 10/10/2013
Decision: The Senate voted in favor of the amended report.
Actions: The Senate amended the report to include the following edited recommendation:

A face-to-face training pilot (VIP: Violence Intervention and Prevention) for incoming undergraduate students was developed during the summer of 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester, under the direction of SARPP/CARE, working in close coordination with the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Provost. This pilot training will take place during the Fall 2013 semester. An evaluation of the training's impact will be conducted. As part of the interim recommendations that were submitted in June 2013, the SHTF recommended that the Interim Title IX Coordinator work with SARPP/CARE to facilitate the training pilot, communicate with relevant campus units and programs, and assess the pilot. If the Title IX Coordinator and SARPP/CARE determine that the face-to-face training pilot made a positive impact, a program must be implemented requiring students to attend a face-to-face program after completing the online training. Students must complete the face-to-face training by the end of their second semester at the University. (page 14)
Next Step: Presidential Approval
Related Files:

Reviewed By: Senate Executive Committee (SEC)
Received: 09/18/2013
Decision Date: 09/25/2013
Decision: To place the Sexual Harassment Task Force's report on the Senate meeting agenda for October 10, 2013.
Actions: The SEC reviewed the Sexual Harassment Task Force's report at its meeting on September 25, 2013 and voted in favor of adding it to the agenda of the October 10, 2013 Senate meeting.
Next Step: Senate Review
Related Files:

Reviewed By: Joint President/Senate Sexual Harassment Policies & Procedures Task Force
Received: 04/22/2013
Decision Date: 08/07/2013
Decision Due By: 10/11/2013
Decision: To forward its final report and recommendations to the SEC for Senate consideration.
Actions: 5/2/2013: The Chair of the Task Force gave a special order presentation at the Senate meeting titled, "Feedback on the Task Force's Charge." A feedback mechanism for anonymous comments and input was created and made available via the Senate website for one month. The Task Force welcomed feedback from the community from 5/2/2013 - 6/2/2013.

The Task Force continued its work during the summer of 2013. During the summer 2013, the Task Force issued interim recommendations to President Loh and the SEC. The Task Force recommended that the University take several immediate interim steps to effect key improvements to its Title IX program compliance before the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year. The President approved the interim recommendations on July 16, 2013. The three areas of interim recommendation included: (1) identifying an Interim Title IX Coordinator to immediately revise and enhance communications regarding sexual misconduct prior to the start of the Fall semester and to help facilitate the training pilot for incoming freshmen, (2) initiating a formal search for a new full-time, dedicated Title IX Coordinator and Title IX Investigator, and (3) directing the University Legal Office to initiate a review and re-write of the campus policies on sexual misconduct.

The SHTF approved its final recommendations on August 7, 2013.
Next Step: SEC / President Review

Reviewed By: Senate Executive Committee (SEC)
Received: 04/12/2013
Decision Date: 04/19/2013
Decision: To grant the extension. The Task Force's new deadline is October 11, 2013.
Next Step: Joint President/Senate Sexual Harassment Policies & Procedures Task Force Review
Related Files:

Reviewed By: Joint President/Senate Sexual Harassment Policies & Procedures Task Force
Received: 06/05/2012
Decision: To submit an extension request to the Senate Executive Committee (SEC).
Actions: 6/12/2012: The Task Force was charged with reviewing the University of Maryland Policy and Procedures on Sexual Harassment (VI-1.20(A)) and determining whether and how they could be improved to comport with prevailing best practices.

Fall 2012 Semester: The Task Force met on a number of occasions to discuss its charge, conduct research of similar policies at peer institutions, and consult with representatives of the Office of Diversity Education and Compliance, the President's Legal Office, and the Office of Student Conduct on the current procedures for handling cases of sexual harassment. The Task Force also reviewed the the consistency and understanding by the campus community of the University's sexual harassment and sexual assault policies and procedures. The Task Force also reviewed and assessed the efficacy, frequency, and scope of existing sexual harassment training programs. The Task Force decided to engage nationally recognized outside consultants to assist in the review, as well. The Task Force hoped to receive the consultant's report during the Spring Semester, so the original deadline was delayed.

Spring 2013 Semester: The Task Force met with the consultants and coordinated numerous interviews and meetings between the consultants and key campus constituents throughout the review process. The Task Force continued to work on potential recommendations for enhanced communication strategies and training programs. The Task Force also worked to assess whether existing definitions, policies, and procedures comport with current legal requirements.

4/12/2013: The Task Force submitted an official extension request to the Senate Executive Committee (SEC).
Next Step: Senate Executive Committee (SEC) Review
Related Files:

Reviewed By: Senate Executive Committee (SEC)
Received: 05/03/2012
Decision Due By: 05/10/2012
Decision: To create a Joint Task Force. President Loh and the Senate Executive Committee (SEC) request that this Task Force review the University of Maryland Policy and Procedures on Sexual Harassment (VI-1.20(A)) and determine whether and how they could be improved to comport with prevailing best practices.
Next Step: Joint President/Senate Sexual Harassment Policies & Procedures Task Force Review