Title IX Updates Strengthen Support for ASC Students

New Title IX regulations governing how federally funded schools address incidents of sexual harassment among students, faculty, and staff are now in effect. At Alfred State College (ASC), these minimum standards set by the US Department of Education are met and exceeded, as ASC staff remain committed to ensuring justice, equality, and fairness on campus.

“To protect privacy, a college is not able to share information or discuss details of a specific case, which leads some to question if the school is going the extra mile to care for those in need or providing assistance to requests for help,” said Dr. Greg Sammons, vice president of Student Affairs. “Alfred State makes every effort to be supportive, although much of our work is not visible to others. Sexual harassment and assault should not be hidden behind closed doors, so in an effort to encourage transparency, victims are made aware that outside agencies are able to investigate with law enforcement officers and therefore attorneys general to consider charges. This has been true since 2015 with the state’s ‘Enough is Enough’ legislation. The full force of the state’s judicial system is accessible if needed.”

The eight key changes to Title IX regulations for schools to follow include:

• Mandating that the same rules will apply for both employee-to-employee or student incidents.
• Requiring live hearings with cross-examinations.
• Making available school-provided advisors for any person without one.
• Recording of the transcript of hearings.
• Detailed written determinations, including the procedural timeline of various steps, the application of the Code of Conduct, and remedies to restoring access to educational programs.
• Providing an equal chance to submit a written statement in support of or opposition to the outcome.
• Timeline changes.
• New definitions of sexual harassment to include sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking.

General Counsel at SUNY has provided Title IX coordinators on all 64 campuses with the support, guidance, and training necessary to effectively implement these new regulations. Through the Student Conduct Institute, there are up-to-date resources that include trainings for all campus employees who will be involved in the investigation and hearing process.

Alfred State College works with local care providers, who are on campus weekly through Cattaraugus Community Action for services. Students also have an additional reporting resource through the New York State Troopers Campus Sexual Assault Unit, which has a designated trooper assigned to each campus in the state. ASC encourages people to reach out to the campus Title IX office to learn more.

Additional information is available at the college’s website at www.AlfredState.edu/title-ix. The new Title IX rule is available online at: https://tinyurl.com/2020titleIX. SUNY also provides a Sexual Assault and Violence Response (SAVR) website to assist victims who are searching for available resources beyond the campus.