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Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Taskforce
Since the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter issued by the Department of Education: Office of Civil Rights (OCR), the Title IX landscape has constantly been changing; with the establishment of NYS Education Law 129-B in 2015, colleges and universities in New York State have been given a consistent framework on how to address allegations of Title IX and sexual misconduct. However, with the enactment of the August 2020 OCR Title IX regulations, NYS institutions of higher education must navigate two sets of laws and regulations that are not always aligned with each other. While Stony Brook University has pivoted to remain compliant with the laws and regulations, the campus community has been provided with very legalese and complicated information. It has raised concerns regarding how the University handles Title IX and sexual misconduct allegations.
Purpose of the Taskforce
The purpose of the Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Taskforce (Taskforce) is to engage the Stony Brook University campus in taking a comprehensive look at how we educate, prevent, and address allegations of Title IX and sexual misconduct. This multidisciplinary group will review and make recommendations regarding SBU's approach issues and allegations involving sexual harassment, sexual violence, dating, domestic violence, and stalking.
Membership Consideration
Students, faculty, and staff who have been invited to join the Taskforce either come from partner offices or have been invited to join the group based on one or more of the following:
- Established partnership with OEA/Title IX office
- Recommendations from partner offices
- Representatives from the Undergraduate Student Government and Graduate Student Government
Areas of focus
The Taskforce will compose of various subgroups that will focus on the following areas:
- Prevention, Outreach, and Education
- Investigation Process
- Faculty Concerns
- Student Concerns
- Staff Concerns
While each subgroup will have particular topics and objectives they will address, all the groups will make recommendations regarding improving communication and transparency.
Recommendations
Prevention, Outreach, and Education
- Social Media presence
- Additional in-person training*
- For student groups
- RA's and RHD's
- Supervisors
- Graduate Students
- FAQ's* for
- Complainant
- Respondents
- Witnesses
Investigative Process
- Documentation that provides information to all parties
Faculty Concerns
- Language on Job Postings identifying individuals who are Responsible Employees
- FAQ with departments and during faculty meetings
- Enhanced candidate Background Check
Student Concerns
- More transparency about the investigation and what happens when they file a report.
Staff Concerns
- Hard copy complaint booklets and forms are to be available by request.
- Visibility within the University Hospital Employee Intranet, including forms to print
- Training modules for supervisors on responding to employees when made aware of the allegation.
- Resources available in more than one language.
*Recommendations that were made by more than one subgroup have been put into one group instead of multiple groups.
You have the right to make a report to University Police, local law enforcement and/or state police or choose not to report; to report the incident to the University, to be protected by the University from retaliation for reporting an incident; and to receive assistance and resources from the University.
N.Y. Educ. Law 129-B §6444
Stony Brook offices and employees who cannot guarantee confidentiality will maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible. The information you provide to a non-confidential resource will be relayed only as necessary for the Title IX Coordinator to investigate and/or seek a resolution.
N.Y. Educ. Law § 129-B §6446
At Stony Brook University, we value all students, employees, and job candidates as unique individuals, and we welcome the variety of experiences they bring to our institution. As such, we have a strict non-discrimination policy. It is the policy of Stony Brook University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.