Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration
Fall 2020 Update

The following provides an update regarding several of the recommendations relating to sexual misconduct that were made jointly by the Faculty-Student Committee on Sexual Misconduct and the University Student Life Committee in the fall of 2019.

• The CPUC Committee on Sexual Climate, Culture and Conduct (which replaces the Faculty-Student Committee on Sexual Misconduct), consisting of undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni, is active and will seek input from the community and consider ways to improve campus climate and resources relating to sexual misconduct.
• With respect to restorative practices, the joint committees established a Working Group on Restorative Practices consisting of undergraduates, graduate students, and administrators.  The Working Group produced an Executive Summary discussing the applicability of restorative practices (including trust building, conflict resolution, community dialogue, responding to individual and community harm, etc.) on our campus, and an external facilitator is providing (virtual) training this fall for faculty, staff, and specific student leaders regarding restorative practices.
• Following a review by the Emergency Funds Review Working Group, which was tasked with improving and streamlining the procedures around applying for mental health funding, the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life developed the Emergency Funding Resource webpage, which is designed to serve as a central navigation system for undergraduate and graduate students seeking financial assistance for essential needs and hardships from several departments and offices across campus.
• Regarding training, administrators continue to meet with students to review current trainings and to discuss enhancements and additions that could be made.  In addition, the Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising Resources and Education Office (SHARE) continues to work toward a comprehensive 4-year curriculum.  
• The SHARE Office issued its first annual Community Report, which provides information regarding its services, staff, intersectional programs, SHARE peer diversity, etc.  In addition, the SHARE Office has been approved to hire an additional clinical staff member.
• With respect to travelers, a new Global Safety and Security unit has been created within the Office of the Associate Provost for International Affairs and Operations.  The unit will provide additional support for travelers, including expanded educational resources and support for travelers prior to departure, as well as provide crisis response services during their time away from campus.  In addition, we are developing an online training module for international travelers with information and resources related to sexual misconduct.
• The University’s new sexual misconduct policies (implemented in August 2020) incorporate an Informal Resolution Process that provides an alternative to the formal disciplinary track.
• In the summer of 2019, the Office of Gender Equity and Title IX Administration  developed a Sexual Misconduct Investigations website, which includes information regarding adjustments intended to make the investigation process more accessible and clear (for example, information for parties, information for witnesses, information regarding prior penalties, etc.). The website continues to be supplemented; newly posted resource materials include information related to the Informal Resolution Process and information relating to sexual misconduct while studying/researching abroad.  The Office has also refined its organizational model in order to separate the intake/consultative process from the investigation and adjudication processes.