Since legislation ordered the California State University to change the way it handles Title IX and sexual misconduct across its campuses, the system has adopted initiatives like a new system-wide policies on retreat rights and employment references.
A comprehensive audit last summer found that the California State University system failed to properly handle Title IX-related cases. In the last year, 10 of the 16 audit recommendations have been fully implemented across its campuses. The California State University system is required to implement the Cozen O’Connor audit recommendations by law .
Of the remaining six recommendations, two have been partially implemented and four are planned to be carried out in the next two years, according to representatives from the California State University who met with legislators at the Capitol Wednesday to follow up on the audit’s recommendations.
The system has also allocated $15.9 million in its budget to “bolster” Title IX practices throughout its 23 campuses, according to a California State University spokesperson. Additionally, the California State University system has created an office of civil rights programming and services, which will be responsible for centralizing campuses’ Title IX offices.
Recommendation compliance is more than just checking off boxes, faculty leaders said, its committing to changing the culture and climate around sexual harassment at the CSU.
The issue needs to be minimized and eliminated, not just tracked and processed, said Anne Luna, the Capitol president of the California Faculty Association. There must be determination on ensuring these offices and initiatives are “truly functional and effective,” she explained.
“We have learned that adding more administrators at the top does not solve the problem,” Luna said. “The CSU needs to move from being simply compliance driven, to a real commitment to innovate Title IX policy and practice.”
California State University Chancellor Mildred García said the system is committed to going beyond the auditor’s recommendations.
“Our actions and inaction related to Title IX have harmed our students, staff and faculty. We have heard it from members of the CSU community across the system,” García said. “We have let them down, as we have let you down. To all of them and to you, I say we are deeply sorry.”
A history of Title IX mishandling and sexual misconduct
The audit’s analysis found the California State University failed to handle Title IX-related cases properly. This negligence was so severe, auditors called California State University’s handling “woefully deficient.”
“Across all constituencies, we heard grave disappointment and sorrow in what many viewed as institutional betrayal,” the audit stated.
This audit included an analysis of 40 sexual harassment cases. In more than half of these cases, there was missing documentation and an absence of evidence of outreach to the complainants and potential witnesses, said California State Auditor Grant Parks.
In the audit, Parks identified seven Title IX cases where “some form of discipline or corrective action was needed, but it did not initiate or document what that corrective action was.”
Specifically, in 2016, a professor was found to have engaged in sexual harassment, sexual violence and stalking of a female student. The audit found that the university did not discipline the professor though there were complaints of similar behaviors dating back to 2003. Three years later, the university learned it missed the statute of limitations to discipline the professor and did not issue a letter of reprimand until May 2022, Parks said.
Tara Al-Rehani, the vice president of system wide affairs for the Cal State Student Association, said students are still frustrated by an unfair and inequitable Title IX grievance process.
When there are outcomes, they vary significantly case by case, she added. Other issues include dismissals of cases due to the perpetrator’s status, inadequate investigations, a lack of discipline and ongoing contact for survivors.
As a result, safety has become a high concern for students attending a California State University.
“Students, I think, need to hear a direct apology for how they were treated from the institution. They want to hear (it),” said Al-Rehani, a student at San Jose State University. “It’s different coming from student leaders, who are sitting here, as opposed to those who made the legislation and the changes.”
Mishandling of Title IX is one of many issues from the California State University is facing within its campuses. Assemblyman Corey Jackson, D-Moreno Valley, mentioned student homelessness and the delayed repatriation of Native American ancestors , as issues that have resulted in a “lost confidence” in the California State University system.
“It seems to me that the worst has happened, that usually happens to many systems and institutions, and that its prioritizing the system over doing what’s right to the people in which the system serves,” Jackson said.
In response to Jackson’s comment, García said the California State University is “committed” to improving.
“You’ve lost trust, and it’s going to take time for you to gain trust in us, but hold us accountable,” she said.
Legislators said that the California State University’s progress seems promising. Parks added that he’s very comfortable that the California State University will continue to make progress. But while the system has adhered to the audit’s recommendations, there needs to be more follow through, said Assemblyman Mike Fong, D-Monterey Park.
“We know that California cannot succeed if a large percent of college students do not feel safe on our campuses,” Fong said.
Most Popular
Comments / 0