Whereas university policy 13.02 has been changed to include provisions requiring "All University employees who are aware of or witness discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or retaliation are required to promptly report to the Title IX Officer or a Title IX Deputy Coordinator."
Whereas the faculty senate was made aware of this policy (before its implementation) in a May 12, 2014 email from Jerry Smith, then Senate Chair. Smith attended a presentation on the policy at a cabinet meeting where he wrote that he was told changes were still being made to the policy and was "assured that any implementation [of the policy] would allow for faculty review and proposed revisions in the fall. "
Whereas 3 senators in a subsequent email exchange expressed concerns about the reporting requirement and a desire to discuss the policy at Senate in the fall, and since then several faculty members have expressed concerns to me about the reporting requirements in the policy, including fears that the new policy will actually make it more difficult for victims of discrimination, harassment and sexual assault to discuss what has happened to them and may lead to more trauma for them.
Therefore it be resolved that the faculty senate hold a consultative session with the primary creators of the policy to discuss the policy, its implementation and its effect on faculty, specifically focusing on the policy's new reporting requirements.