September 9, 2021; 2:30 p.m.
Title IX Progress
LSU Community,
A lot of progress is being made in the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX as we are implementing recommendations made by Husch Blackwell and carrying forward our own Title IX action plan. We have two overarching goals for our work: support and prevention. We have been focused on resources, protocol, and communication in order to begin to restore campus trust in our ability to support survivors. Now that the campus is open again, we are turning to education and coalition building as means to prevent all forms of sexual misconduct and discrimination and to ensure an environment where all members of the LSU community feel safe and respected. While we still have more work to do and will always continue to refine our processes based on best practices, we would like to share the latest updates with you.
Operations
Our office moved from the University Administration Building to 118 Himes Hall and many new hires have been made. Those include Title IX Coordinator Josh Jones, Case Manager Asha Murphy, Investigators Arlette Henderson and Lydia Adeosun, and Assistant to the Vice President Kelly Eaglin. In addition, Lighthouse Program Director Susan Bareis now has a joint appointment with the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX.
Process and Accountability
As mentioned in our prior update, we have revised PM-73: Title IX Policy Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct. The policy revision aligns with Act No. 439 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session in identifying employees as mandatory reporters, unless otherwise notified, and who are required to report instances of power-based trauma of which they are aware or they shall be terminated. These rules apply to everyone. It also clarifies all phases of the reporting and investigative processes.
Training and Education
Title IX staff at all campuses have been trained in the repercussions of sexual trauma, and dating and domestic violence, as well as on record keeping in both Maxient and EthicsPoint data collection systems. Leadership on the LSU campus has been educated on the repercussions of sexual misconduct and mandatory annual online training for faculty and staff, with a new curriculum developed by STAR (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response) and designed by LSU Online, will be available later this year.
Athletics has instituted training in sexual assault for all employees, including coaches, provided training on reporting directly to the Title IX coordinator, and contracted with A Call to Men to work on culture change; bystander intervention training has been offered to student-athletes; and staff members have been added who will monitor training and ensure accurate reporting.
A President’s Student Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Assault and Violence has been named, and this group of student leaders is developing education and awareness events that will happen throughout the year. A campaign is being developed for April during Sexual Assault and Awareness month.
Record Keeping and Reporting
Quarterly reporting has been instituted and the second quarter report was delivered to President Tate in early July. Annual reporting will follow the requirements recently put forth in state law. All staff in Title IX have been retrained in the use of Maxient and EthicsPoint. A template for new and more substantive investigative reports for Title IX complaints is also being used.
Communication
A more user-friendly website for support and reporting has been developed at lsu.edu/support, and the LSU Mobile app has an icon for survivor support that directly links to filing a report. In addition, our action plan with monthly updates is available online. At this time, 11 of the 18 Husch Blackwell recommendations have been fully implemented, and we are making significant headway on the other seven. We will continue to share our progress with you as we move forward and appreciate your support in making LSU a safe and equitable place for all.
Sincerely,
Jane Cassidy
Interim Vice President of Civil Rights & Title IX