By: Natalie Dignam
A&E Editor
Many students are unaware of the changes in St. Lawrence’s sexual assault and harassment policies that have taken place as of Oct. 1, reflecting the new federal guidelines. As of this date, SLU has moved to a review panel, in which the parties involved will meet with two trained investigators. This model is replacing the previous hearing model, in which the parties involved would meet directly with 3-member faculty panel.
The new model will allow the accuser and accused to bring anyone, including a lawyer or parent, to all phases of the investigation. Previously, students could only bring a SLU community member to the hearing, such as an Advocate, professor, friend, or other faculty or staff member. The federal changes may make the process more transparent.
While details of the new procedures have been available on the University website since the changes went into effect on Oct. 1, students were not notified of the changes until Thursday, two weeks after they occurred. President Fox’s email introducing Sexual & Domestic Violence Awareness Week to the student body also includes links to the University website on the new review panel.
“This semester in particular, we will be working diligently with the Trustees on updating our Sexual Assault protocol and guidelines to meet national standards as set by President Barack Obama. Faculty Council, Administration, and Trustees have been very focused on addressing our campus needs for an updated protocol,” Thelmo said in an email, on Oct. 2, a day after the new procedures went into effect.
Nina Roberts ’17 believes that students simply do not know what their options are. “I still don’t have any idea what happens when you do report something,” she said. The administration should encourage students to come forward and report incidents. But in order for this to happen, the University should build trust between the administration and the student body, she added.
“We have been working hard to first, create the appropriate new procedures, and then develop our communications,” said Lisa Cania, the University’s Title IX Coordinator. Thelmo is still working on a date for a Town Hall Meeting to explain the new sexual assault procedures.
The administration has also been working closely with the Advocates. Olivia Hatch ’15, previous Advocate president, believes that the group can do more to promote awareness and that their services remain underutilized. Advocate co-presidents Devon Gulbrandsen and Katy Litka said that they have been working hard to update their training and keep students informed this semester.
However, the possible presence of a lawyer caused concern among the hearing panel members. “Some members don’t want to be in a room with a lawyer. They are worried they say something in hearing and the lawyer takes them to court,” said Professor Peter Baily, a longtime member of the Special Hearings Board. In addition, the training requirements would have been doubled for board members to effectively deal with the procedure changes, Bailey added.
As a result, faculty and staff will now be part of a review panel, which does not meet directly with the parties involved, instead of a hearing panel.
So why are colleges and universities handling sexual assault cases in the first place? Assistant Director of Student Life Rance Davis said that the courts are not prepared to handle the cases. The the federal government fails to consider the role alcohol plays in most sexual assault cases, Davis added.
However, Caroline Pearson, a nurse practitioner at the Health and Counseling Center, said that “ideally, a survivor would go through the police as well as the University.” Similarly, Cania said that the survivor is “urged to report to the police, but that the victim has the agency to do what she or he chooses.”
Although the effects of the new investigative model are not yet clear, the administration will review the process in 6 months.
Basic Terminology
Title IX: “Protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.” (Definition taken from the U.S. Dept. of Education, http://www2.ed.gov).
Review Model: New judiciary process for sexual assault and harassment cases. Two investigators interview accuser/accused and present findings to the Review Board.
Review Panel: (i.e. Sexual Misconduct, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Review Board) New model. 12 non-students members of the SLU community plus the Associate Dean of Student Life. Conducts reviews of investigatory findings and makes recommendations in formal complaints of alleged Sexual Misconduct. (Definition taken from SLU website).
Hearing Model: Old model. Faculty and staff on Special Hearings Board meet directly with parties involved in the case.
Special Hearings Board: Old model. 12 non-student SLU community members convened by the Associate Dean of Student Life. Directly interview accused/accuser and presented findings to Dean of Student Life.
Advocates: The Advocates Program is St. Lawrence University’s response to dating violence, sexual assault, rape, and stalking. The program is an inclusive campus-wide effort, uniting students, faculty, and staff alike. Services include crisis intervention; the 24-hour Sexual Violence Hotline (244-5466); hospital, court, and judicial proceeding accompaniment; support groups; and safety planning.