UA needs to implement Title IX changes
In the wake of the Department of Education’s civil rights investigation into alleged Title IX violations, I was keen to hear the University of Arkansas’ response. Based on Chancellor Joe Steinmetz’s time at The Ohio State University and its experience with the Office of Civil Rights, I am confident he is aware of the devastating consequences failing to follow the law has on both survivors and a university.
I’ve been both underwhelmed and disheartened by the University of Arkansas’ statements defending its actions. I can only assume it is because Chancellor Steinmetz doesn’t know the truth.
As a student who is a survivor of sexual violence, an advocate and mentor for those who have been through sexual violence, and an academic in how the legal system responds to sexual violence, I have heard countless stories from student survivors.
I know students who did not know the faculty or staff person they disclosed to was mandated by the university to report the assault to the school’s Title IX office. This forced the survivors into the Title IX process, as opposed to letting them decide how they would proceed.
I know the student who was initially kicked out of a course after she notified her professor the man she accused of assaulting her was also in the course. I believe the response to her concerns demonstrates the professor and interim Title IX coordinator were not properly trained.
I have followed the case around Raymond Higgs in 2014 and 2015 in which the university initially notified the person accusing Higgs that Higgs’ expulsion would occur after he graduates. Later, the university corrected the date of expulsion when The Huffington Post inquired about the meaningless sanction.
I have followed cases where two women complained to University of Arkansas Police Department of sexual assault, but were charged with filing a false police report. Neither woman chose to risk a felony conviction, so they agreed to plea agreements.
Since becoming a student, I have seen five Title IX coordinators or interim coordinators at this university and spoken to students about how this rapid turnover has left them in the dark.
It is because of these issues and others that I filed a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights in August 2015 and helped other students file complaints as well.
My conclusion is the UA needs to recognize it has a problem and implement meaningful actions to alleviate the sexually hostile environment so many see on this campus.
I urge Chancellor Steinmetz as well as the entire University of Arkansas community to embrace this federal investigation. Demand that the Office of Civil Rights reveal the true nature of how this university has responded to survivors. It is Chancellor Steinmetz’s duty to every Razorback, past, present, and future, that he address and avoid future failures by incorporating meaningful and well-intentioned change wherever the change needs to be made.
SAMANTHA BAKER
Fayetteville