1

ProposedChangestoColumbiasGenderBasedMisconductPolicy
NoRedTape

1. Change the definition of consent to adopt a more comprehensive and practical

standard, and incorporate additional scenarios and examples of sexual violence in
order to reflect the full range of experiences that fall into the category of sexual
violence.
2. Reorganize the policy, placing definitions first, with thedefinitionofconsentfirst
in that category. Follow the definitions section with policy and scenarios. This will
help establish a common vocabulary and set of behavioral expectations before
outlining the possible consequences of violating those expectations. Under
Resources,incorporatetheadditionalresourceswevelisted.
3. Practicemeaningfultransparencyandaccountability.
4. Ensure adequate training of officers under the Office of GenderBased Misconduct
to improve student experiences with reporting and reflect the seriousness of sexual
anddomesticviolenceonthiscampus.
5. Give students involved in adjudication processes adequate information and
decisionmaking power regarding the investigative report, personnel involved in
theircase,andlegal/emotionalsupportoptions.
6. Allow additional allegations against the same respondent (including past and
concurrentlyopenallegations)asevidenceduringauniversityhearing.
7. Createaformalaccommodationsandsupportsystemforcomplainantsthroughcase
management, and implement effective nocontact directives which require
perpetratorsofviolencetoleavecampusspacesoreventsifthesurvivorispresent.
8. Treat cases of sexual and domestic violence with appropriately severe sanctions,
including expulsion when called for by the complainant, and educational measures
for all students found responsible. If respondents found responsible return to
campus, they must be prohibited fromholdingpositionsofpower,includingbutnot
limited to resident advisors, teaching assistants, and orientation leaders, and case
management.
______________________________________________________________________

1.

Changethedefinitionofconsentprovidedonpage20oftheOfficeofGenderBased
Misconductspolicytoadopttheonewehaveprovided,andincorporateadditional
scenariosandexamplesofsexualviolenceinordertoreflectthefullrangeofexperiences
thatfallintothecategoryofsexualviolence.
1.1.
Defineconsentas:Affirmative,conscious,enthusiastic,continuous,revocable,sober,
freelygivenandvoluntaryagreementtoengageinsexualactivity.
1.1.1.
Itistheresponsibilityofeachpersoninvolvedinsexualactivitytoensurethat
theyhavetheaffirmativeconsentoftheother(s)toengageinsaidsexualactivity.
1.1.2.
Lackofprotestorresistancedoesnotmeanconsent.Silencedoesnotmean
consent.
1.1.3.
Consentmustbeongoingthroughoutasexualactivityandcanberevokedatany
time.
1.1.4.
Consenttooneformofsexualactivitydoesnotimplyconsenttootherformsof
sexualactivity.
1.1.5.
Theexistenceofadatingrelationshiporpriorsexualhistorybetweenthepersons
involvedshouldneverbeanassumedindicatorofconsent.
1.1.6.
Consentcannotbeprocuredbytheuseofcoercion,manipulation,physicalforce,
compulsion,threats,orintimidatingbehavior.
1.1.7.
Consenttoengageinsexualactivitywithonepersondoesnotimplyconsentto
engageinsexualactivitywithanother.
1.1.8.
Someoneintoxicatedbydrugsoralcohol,unconscious,disabled,orotherwise
madehelplessandthereforeincapableofunderstandingthefact,nature,orextent
ofthesexualactivitycannotconsent.Concerninginvolvementofdrugsor
alcohol:
1.1.8.1.
Theuseofalcoholordrugsdoesnotjustifyorexcusebehaviorthat
constitutesgenderbasedmisconduct.
1.1.8.2.
Theuseofalcoholorotherdrugsnevermakessomeoneatfaultfor
experiencinggenderbasedmisconduct.Thoughalcoholconsumption
andsexualassaultoftenoccurtogether,alcoholisnotthecauseofsexual
assault.Alcoholisusedasatoolofcoercionandcamouflageto
perpetuatesexualassault.
1.2.
ThecurrentdefinitionofGenderBasedHarassmentstatesthatharassmentis
unacceptablewhenitunreasonablyinterfereswithsomeoneslife.Anyharassmentthat
interfereswithsomeonesphysical,mental,oremotionalwellbeingisunreasonable.The
policysdefinitionmustberevisedtoreflectthis.
1.3.
Addadditionalscenarios,including:
1.3.1.
Oneexplicitlyqueerscenario.

1.3.2.

1.4.

OneinvolvingDomesticorDatingViolenceand/orsexualcoercioninthecontext
ofanintimaterelationship.
1.3.3.
Oneshowingabreachofaffirmativeconsent,demonstratingthatsilencedoesnot
meanyes.
Includestalkingasanexampleofsexualharassment.

2.

Reorganizethepolicy,placingdefinitionsfirst,withthedefinitionofconsentfirstinthat
category.Followthedefinitionssectionwithpolicyandscenarios.Thiswillhelpestablisha
commonvocabularyandsetofbehavioralexpectationsbeforeoutliningthepossible
consequencesofviolatingthoseexpectations.UnderResources,incorporatetheadditional
resourceswevelisted.
2.1.
ExplicitlystatetheresourcesavailableatSt.Lukes,includingtrainedadvocates,rape
kits,STItestingandemergencycontraception,andsupportgroups.
2.2.
Includethebusinesshoursofeachonandoffcampusresource.
2.3.
UnderResourcesforStudentsandandintheConfidentialityProtectionsand
ReportingObligationschart,clarifytheconfidentialityclause.Makeclearthatasurvivor
andtheirsupporterscanseeksupportfromfriends,family,andothersurvivors(including
othercurrentstudents)duringthecourseoftheadjudicationprocesswithoutfearof
discipline.Thisisimportanttoclarify,becauseinthepast,studentshavebeenrestricted
fromdiscussingtheirexperienceswithanyothercurrentstudentsduringthedisciplinary
proceedings.Somehaveevenbeenformallysanctionedfordoingso.

3.

Practicemeaningfultransparencyandaccountability.
3.1.
Providethestudentbodywithtimelywarningsregardingreportedactsofoncampus
sexualviolence.Studentshavearighttoknowwhensuchincidentstakeplace,as
respondentsposeanongoingthreattothecommunitywhiletheyremainoncampus
duringtheiradjudicationandbeyond.Givenratesofserialperpetrationandviolence
betweenacquaintancesandintimatepartners,theadministrationandcomplainants
awarenessoftheincidentandtheperpetratorsidentityinnowayensuresthesafetyof
students.ThesealertsaremandatedbytheJeanneCleryAct,whichstatesthat
universitiesshallmaketimelyreportstothecampuscommunityoncrimesconsideredto
beathreattootherstudentsandemployeessuchreportsshallbeprovidedtostudents
andemployeesinamannerthatistimelyandthatwillaidinthepreventionofsimilar
occurrences(20U.S.C.1092(f)(3))Thealertsarealreadysentoutforreported
offcampusassaults,butnotoncampuscases.Theyshouldnotcontainidentifying
informationregardingthecomplainant.
3.2.
InstituteamandatoryandcomprehensivereviewoftheGenderBasedMisconductPolicy
everytwoyearswhichdirectlysolicitsandintegratestheconcernsofstudentsand
survivorsoncampus.
3.3.
Createanonlineevaluationformforeverystudentwhomakesaformalreport.Every
complainantandrespondentinagenderbasedmisconductcasemustfillthisformout
aftertheircasewiththeOfficeofGenderBasedMisconductiscompleted,andtheresults
oftheevaluationmustbesenttoPACSA(notjustaselectgroupofadministrators.

3.4.

3.5.

Upholdstudentsrighttofullyprotectedfinancialaidpackagesandfullreimbursement
foranylosttuitionshouldtheyneedtowithdrawortakeatemporaryleaveofabsence
becauseoftheirexperiencesofsexualordomesticviolence,asmandatedbyfederal
guidance.
TheOGBMmustmakethefollowinginformationaccessibletorespondentsand
complainants:
3.5.1.
Thenamesandtraining/qualificationsofallinvestigators,hearingpanelists,case
managers,sanctioningandappealsofficers,volunteerattorneys,andanyother
personsofinfluencewithintheircasecase.Studentsareentitledtoknowhow
eachofthesepeoplehasbeentrainedbytheOfficeofGenderBasedMisconduct.
Currently,studentshavenoideawhoisinvolvedintheircasesandmanyhave
haddisturbinginteractionswithinvestigators,hearingpanelists,sanctioningand
appealsofficers,andotherUniversityrepresentativesthatrevealanunacceptable
lackoftrainingandsensitivity.
3.5.2.
Namesofwitnessesinthecase.Studentsmustreceiveawrittenexplanationfrom
investigatorsiftheyareunableorunwillingtocontactcertainwitnessesbefore
thehearing.
3.5.3.
Theinvestigatorsassessmentsofcredibilityforeachpartyinacase.Giventhe
highlysubjectivenatureoftheinvestigatorsevaluationofcredibility,andthe
influenceithasoverthepanelsultimatedecision,studentsshouldhavearightto
morethanoneinvestigatorcontributingtotheirevaluationofcredibilityandthe
righttochallengethatevaluation.
3.5.4.
Resolutionwithin60daysoftheprocess.Strictparametersdictatingthe
legitimacyofdelaysmustbecreatedinordertoprotectthisright.TheOfficeof
GenderbasedMisconductmustestablishsomemechanismbywhichstudentscan
reportandchallengeviolationsofthisright.Manysurvivorshavewatchedtheir
casesstretchonformonthswithnoresolutiondespitethepolicysgoalof60day
hearings,andthishasaddedhoursofadditionalanxietyandtraumaforstudents
navigatingtheprocess.Forexample,onesurvivorwasforcedtoremaininNYC
overthesummerinsteadofreturninghomebecausehercasestretchedonfor5
months.

4.

EnsureadequatetrainingofofficersundertheOfficeofGenderBasedMisconductto
ensureeffectiveness,sensitivity,andreflecttheseriousnessofsexualanddomesticviolence
onthiscampus.
4.1.
Removedeansfromdecisionmakingrolesassanctioningandappealsofficers.
4.1.1.
Deanshavenoexpertiseindynamicsofsexualordatingviolencepreventionor
response,andarecompletelyunqualifiedtomakedecisionsaboutsanctioning
andappealsinthesecases.Ittakesyearsofprofessionalizedtrainingnot2
hourstounderstandthecomplexitiesofgenderbasedviolenceanditsimpacts.
Furthermore,theircompetingresponsibilitiesforfundraising,alumnirelations,
studentactivities,andthepublicimageoftheschoolcreateaconflictofinterest
thatthemostwellintentionedadministratorwouldstrugglewith.Bothvictims

4.1.2.

andaccusedstudentsdeservetohavedecisionsofthisseriousnessmade
competentandimpartialindividuals.
Deanshavedemonstratedthestructuralimpossibilityofthecurrentsystemby
regularlyhandingdown1and2semestersuspensionsforstudentsfound
responsibleforrape,despitetheirrepeatedpromisestorespondwithappropriate
gravity.Thisisnotaboutanegativejudgmentofthedeanscharacterbutabout
theirstructuralinabilitytobeunbiasedandtheirlackofexpertiseintheareaof
respondingtoandpreventingsexualviolence.

5.

Givestudentsinvolvedinadjudicationprocessesadequateinformationanddecisionmaking
powerregardingtheentireprocessincludingtheinvestigativereport,personnelinvolvedin
theircase,andlegal/emotionalsupport.
5.1.
TheOfficeofGenderBasedMisconducthastheobligationtoensurethatall
complainantsandrespondentsrightsaremadeclearinwritingfromthebeginningofthe
processandupheldthroughout.Theserightsincludetherightto:
5.1.1.
Beinformedastowhospecificallymayreviewtheirreport/statementsineach
stepoftheadjudicationprocessasperthepolicy.
5.1.2.
Haveaclearprocedurethroughwhichtheycanmakechangestotheinvestigative
report,andwhichdetailswhetherchangeswillbemadetothecontentofthe
reportoraddedontotheendasanaddendum.
5.1.3.
Providequestionsforwitnessestobeaskedduringthehearing.
5.1.4.
Refrainfrommakingselfincriminatingstatementsinaccordancewiththeir5th
Amendmentrights.
5.1.5.
Whenastudentisfoundresponsible,thesurvivorshouldbegiventhe
opportunitytomakeanimpactstatementduringthepointoftheadjudication
processwhenthedecisionmakerisdeliberatingonappropriatesanctions,to
explainwhatsanctionstheyfeelwouldbestensuretheirmentalwellbeingand
preventcontinuedharassment,violence,ortrauma.
5.1.6.
ReviewtheirinvestigativereportoutsidetheOfficeofGenderBasedMisconduct
toensuretheyhavesufficienttimetopreparetheirstatementswithlegalcounsel
asappropriate.Currently,complainantsandrespondentsareonlysometimes
providedwithacopyoftheinvestigativereportbutothertimesareonlyallowed
toreviewitinsidetheoffice.Usingtheuniversityslettersendingprocessviauni
signin,forthedurationofthecase,wouldbeanaptwaytoaccomplishthis.
5.1.7.
Bringanattorneyorlegaladvisorinadditiontoapersonalsupportpersonduring
thehearingprocess.Survivorshaveexpressedfrustrationthattheyhaveto
choosebetweenprofessionallegalsupportandemotionalsupport.
5.2.
Restorativeand/ortransformativejusticeprocessesshouldbemadeavailablewhenboth
partiesconsenttoparticipate.
5.2.1.
Columbiamustpartnerwithanorganizationspecializinginrestorativeand/or
transformativejusticedevelopthisoption,andshouldincludeathorough
descriptionoftheavailablerestorativeand/ortransformativejusticeprocessesin

5.3.

5.4.

6.

thepolicyandtheexplanationofrightsdistributedatthebeginningofthe
process.
Studentswhoobstructjusticethroughouttheinvestigationand/oradjudicationprocesses
mustfacepunitivetreatment.Complainantsandrespondentsshouldbeprovidedwithan
optiontofileacomplaintofobstructionofjusticeiftheyfeeltheotherpartyintheircase
hasengagedinsuchbehavior,andthisshouldbeconsideredinthehearing,sanctioning,
andappealsdecisions.Forexample,asurvivorshouldhavebeenabletoreporther
accusedrapistwhoattemptedtobribeamutualfriendtoactasafavorablewitness.
5.3.1.
Obstructionofjusticeincludes(butisnotlimitedto)themanipulationand
destructionofevidenceaswellastheintentionaldelayingofprocedures
throughouttheadjudicationprocess,and,obviously,falsifyingdetailsin
testimony.
Inappealsproceedings:
5.4.1.1.
TheUniversityshouldnotrequirecomplainantsandrespondentsto
reappearbeforethehearingpanelortheinvestigativeofficersduringthe
appealsprocess.However,complainantsandrespondentsshouldhavea
righttoreappearbeforethehearingpanelortheinvestigativeofficersif
theysochoose.Thiswillhelpensurethatbothsidesofanycaseare
accuratelyandequitablyportrayedinanyappealsproceedings.
5.4.1.2.
IftheAppealsOfficerdecidestoconveneanewhearingpanelforthe
appeal,ratherthanreconveningtheoriginalpanel,theymustprovidean
explanationinwritingforwhythisdecisionswasmade.Eitherparty
shouldhavetherighttochallengethisdecisioniftheyfeelitwasmade
unfairly.
5.4.1.3.
Deansshouldnotbegivenjurisdictionovertheappealsprocess.Given
thatanappealisthefinalandmostseriouschallengeastudentcanmake
inthisprocess,thepersontaskedwithdeterminingthevalidityofthese
appealsshouldbeexceptionallywellqualified,clearlyimpartial,and
haverealprofessionalexpertiseingenderbasedmisconductissues.For
example,DeanValentinitaughtChemistrybeforemovingupthe
Columbiahierarchythroughvariousadministrativeroles.Thisdoesnot
qualifyhimtobethefinalarbiterinseriouscasesofgenderbased
violence.Deanslacktheprofessionalexpertisetoholdarolethatgives
themtheauthoritytounilaterallydecidethesecases.Further,their
competingresponsibilitiesasDeansmaymaycomplicatetheirabilityto
serveasimpartialdecisionmakersinthisrole.Inatleast5casesinthe
lastyear,survivorshavefeltthatDeansmadeunfair,biased,or
uninformeddecisionsintheappealprocessthatnegativelyaffectedthe
outcomeoftheircaseandcausedthemextremedistress.

Allowallallegationsagainstthesamerespondent(includingpastandconcurrentlyopen
allegations)asevidenceduringauniversityhearing.

6.1.

7.

Allformalreportsofviolenceorgenderbasedmisconductmadeagainstagiven
respondent,andallwitnesstestimonyregardingtherespondentengaginginviolenceor
genderbasedmisconductthathasnotresultedinaformalreport,shouldbeconsideredin
thehearing,sanctioning,andappealsprocesses.Suchinformationiscrucialevidenceto
indicateapotentialpatternofbehavior.Itisstandardprocedureinthecriminaljustice
systemtoallowopenpolicereportstobeconsidered,regardlessofwhetherthereporthas
resultedinaconviction.TheUniversityhasallowedserialperpetratorstoremainon
campusbyrefusingtoconsidercasesopenconcurrentlyagainstthesamerespondent.
6.1.1.
Thismustapplytoanyconcurrentcasesagainstthesamerespondent,andinclude
evidenceofarespondentshistoryofviolentactsbeyondgenderbased
misconductincluding,butnotlimitedto,criminalanduniversitydisciplinary
records.
6.1.2.
Thishasbeenamajorissueforsurvivorswhoattempttoreportserial
perpetratorsespeciallygiventhetypicallengthoftheseinvestigationsandcases,
itsimperativethatopencasescanbeconsideredconcurrentlyinordertoidentify
serialperpetratorsandtreatrepeatoffenderswithappropriateseverity.

Createaformalaccommodationsandsupportsystemforcomplainantsthroughcase
management.
7.1.
TheUniversitymuststipulateinnocontactdirectivesthatifthecomplainantand
respondentobserveeachotherinapublicplace,itistheresponsibilityoftherespondent
toleavetheareaimmediatelyandwithoutengagingwiththecomplainant.Thisshould
applytoallpublicspacesandanyeventssponsoredbytheUniversityoranyUniversity
programs,offices,departments,teams,orrecognizedstudentgroups.
7.2.
TheOGBMmustimplementaformalaccommodationsrequestsystemthroughwhich
survivorsareabletorequestinterimmeasuresandaccommodations.Currently,survivors
canrequestthesemeasuresfromtheircasesmanagersbutthesecanberejectedorignored
withnoformalexplanation.Survivorsareentitledtothesemeasuresbylawyetmany
survivorshavehadtheserequestsdeniedwithoutexplanation.Forexample,onesurvivor
wasnotpermittedtowithdrawfromaclassthoughtheysufferedseverepanicattacks
becauseoftheirPTSDandwerenotabletoparticipatefully.Anothersurvivorrequested
thatherabuserbeblockedfromaccessingherdorm,butwastoldtheOGBMwouldnot
restricthisaccessbecauseheshouldbeabletoseehisfriends.
7.2.1.
Manystudentsurvivorsdonotwanttobeginthetraumaticprocessoffilinga
formalcomplaintwiththeUniversity,butmaystillneedhousingandacademic
accommodations.TheUniversitymustclearlyandexplicitlycreateaprocessfor
requestingaccommodationswithoutautomaticallystartingaformaladjudication
process.
7.2.2.
Thisformalrequestssystemmustexplicitlyofferandprovidetheabilityto
requestposthearingaccommodations(suchasacademicorhousingchanges)
eveniftherespondentisnotfoundresponsible.
7.2.3.
Itmustincludeaspecifictimeframewithinwhicheachrequestmustbeassessed
andrespondedto.

7.2.4.
7.3.

7.4.

7.5.

7.6.

Itmustrequireawrittenexplanationregardingtheapprovalordenialofany
request.
TheUniversitymustestablishawaytoseriouslyenforceaccessrestrictions,asthe
currentprocedureisineffectiveandleavesstudentsunsafe.Asthecurrentpolicyallows,
arespondentorperpetratormayhavetheirswipeaccesstoabuildingrevokedhowever,
anotherpersoncanstillsignthatpersonintotheverylocationfromwhichthatpersonis
prohibitedfromentering.ItisimperativethattheOGBMcollaboratewithHousingand
PublicSafetytocreateaviableprotocolinresidencehallsthatmoreeffectivelyprevents
theserestrictionsfrombeingbroken.Becauseourcurrentsigninsystemfailstoprevent
this,survivorshavetoliveinconstantanxietythatthepersonwhoassaulted,abused,or
stalkedthemmightentertheirbuildingatanytime,whichisunsafeandunacceptable.
7.3.1.
Inadditiontoswipeaccessbeingrevoked,thesystemshouldprevent
respondents/perpetratorsfromgettingsignedinbyotherstudents.Violationsof
thisshouldbetreatedwithseriousdisciplinaryactionforboththestudentwho
violatestheorder,andanyotherstudentwhoaidsthestudentingainingaccessto
aprohibitedbuilding.
TheOGBMshouldcreateaprotocolforasituationinwhicharespondentand
complainantwanttotakethesameclass,whethertherespondentisfoundresponsibleor
not.Thisshouldbeimplementedproactivelyratherthanwaitingforsurvivorstoattend
classandrealizetheyarebothenrolled,andshouldcontinueuntilthecomplainant
graduates.
7.4.1.
AsperguidelinesfromtheDepartmentofEducationonTitleIXimplementation,
theburdenofanyaccommodationsorinterimmeasuresshouldnotfallonthe
survivororcomplainant(i.e.ifthetwopartiesshareaclass,therespondent
shouldberemovedfromtheclassratherthanthesurvivor).
AsperguidelinesfromtheDepartmentofEducationonTitleIXimplementation,any
costsincurredbythecomplainantinsecuringaccommodationsmustbecoveredbythe
University,andthisshouldbeguaranteedinthepolicy.Forexample,ifastudentsurvivor
cannotremainintheirdormforsafetyreasons,theschoolmusteitherprovidesuitable
housingoncampusforfree,includingcoveringanyadditionalcostsifastudentismoved
intoamoreexpensivedorm,orcovertheexpensesrelatedtorentingahotelroom.A
studentwhoneedssupplementaltutoringbecausetheirPTSDpreventedthemfrom
focusinginclassshouldbeprovidedtutoringatnocost.Astudentshouldnotbecharged
forhavingexperiencedgenderbasedviolence.
ComplainantsandRespondentsmustbenotifiedinadvanceiftheOfficeofGenderBased
Misconductiscontactingacademic,athletic,andextracurriculardepartmentstoshare
informationregardingtheircase.

8.

Treatcasesofsexualanddomesticviolencewithappropriatelyseveresanctions,including
expulsionwhencalledforbythecomplainant,educationalmeasures,andcasemanagement
ifrespondentsfoundresponsiblereturntocampus.
8.1.
Ifastudentisfoundresponsibleforcommittinggenderbasedviolenceandsanctioned
withsuspension,theminimumdurationforsuspensionshouldbetheremainderofthe

8.2.
8.3.

8.4.

timethatthesurvivorwillbeastudentatthecollege.Thiswillensurethatsurvivorsare
abletopursuetheireducationwithouthavingtoliveinconstantfearofseeingtheirrapist
orabuser.Additionalrequirementstosuspensionsmustincludemeaningfuleducational
programmingandmandatoryfollowupwithCaseManagersuponthesuspended
studentsreturntocampus.
8.1.1.
Ifstudentsfoundresponsibleofgenderbasedmisconductareallowedbackon
campustheymustbeprohibitedfromleadershiproleswheretheywouldhave
poweroverotherstudents,including,butlimitedto,residentadvisors,teaching
assistantsandorientationleaders.Thereiscurrentlynopolicyprohibitingthis
andthatisunacceptable.Currently,theUniversityallowsthosefoundresponsible
ofGenderBasedMisconducttoholdleadershippositionsoncampusasResident
Advisors,TeachingAssistants,andOrientationLeaders.Thisisunacceptable.
Allowingpeoplefoundresponsibleofgenderbasedmisconducttosupervisethe
physical,emotional,andacademicwellbeingofstudentsjeopardizesstudent
safety.Thisisespeciallyrelevantinthecaseoffirstyears,whoarethemost
vulnerabletosexualviolenceandwholookuptoRAsandTAsforguidance.
Thisisasimplematterofstudentsafety,asthepositionsofRAandTAput
perpetratorsinapositionwheretheyholdpowerandinfluenceoveryoungerand
morevulnerablestudentsandcaneasilyabusethistrust.GiventhatRAs,TAs,
andorientationleaderstendtohavethemostoneononecontactwithfirstyears,
whoarealreadystatisticallythemostvulnerabletosexualassaultoncampus,itis
unsafeforpeoplefoundresponsibleofGenderBasedMisconducttoholdthese
positions.
Ifastudentisfoundresponsibleforcommittingsexualassault,theavailablesanctions
shallbeeitherexpulsionorimmediatesuspension.
Priortoimposinganysanction,aSanctioningOfficerwillconsultwiththe
GenderBasedMisconductOfficeaboutsanctionsimposedinsimilarcases.(OGBM
Policy,16)
8.3.1.
Giventheegregiouslyinappropriateandweaknatureofprevioussanctions
imposedbytheUniversity,theUniversityshouldnotimposesanctionsbasedon
theprecedentestablishedbysimilarcases.Onesemestersuspensionsarenotan
appropriatelyseveresanctionforsexualassaultordatingviolence.Instead,
sanctionsshouldreflectanapproachwhichacknowledgesthegravesignificance
ofsuchviolence.Initsresponsetoperpetrators,theUniversityshouldrecognize
thatmeasuressuchascomprehensivereeducationand/orexpulsionarenecessary
topreventperpetratorsfromposingcontinuedthreatstothecampuscommunity
andsocietyatlarge.
TheUniversitywillrequireanystudentdeterminedtoberesponsibleforaviolationof
thePolicytoreceiveappropriateeducationand/ortrainingrelatedtothegenderbased
misconductviolationatissue.(OGBMPolicy,17)
8.4.1.
Allperpetratorsshouldreceiveathorough,meaningful,andevidencebased
educationsurroundingtheperpetrationofgenderbasedmisconducttohelp
preventfutureviolence.However,thecurrenteducationalrequirementsare

10

8.5.

8.6.
8.7.

8.8.

inadequateinaddressingtheseverityofgenderbasedmisconduct.Currently,
Columbiaassignsreflectiveessaysasapunishmentforsexualassaultinsome
cases.Essaysarenotameaningfulmethodofeducationinthiscontext.
Appropriateeducationalprogramsmustbecomprehensive,administeredby
trainedprofessionalswithexperienceinsexualviolenceprevention,and
informedbyavailableresearchonbestpracticesforpreventionprogramming.
8.4.1.1.
Generalinformationregardingthecontentandstructureofthese
reeducationoptionsshouldbeclearlyexplainedandpubliclyavailable.
8.4.1.2.
Theadministratorsordepartmentsresponsibleforoverseeingthe
educationandtrainingcomponentofsanctioningshouldbeidentifiedin
thepolicy.
8.4.1.3.
TheUniversitymustreviseitsinterpretationoftheresponsible
employeeclauseofTitleIX,andceaserequiringprofessorsandRAsto
bemandatoryreportersofsexualanddomesticviolence.Bycurrently
embracingamaximalinterpretationofthisclause,theuniversityfurther
alienatessurvivorsbydeprivingthemofsupportfromtheirpeersand
trustedadultsintheirlives.Additionally,ifstudentsneedtorequest
accommodationsfromprofessorsbecausetheyareexperiencingtrauma,
theyshouldbeabletodosowithouthavingtheirexperiencesreportedto
OGBM.
Communityserviceisnotasufficientsanctionforperpetratorsofsexualviolence,though
itcanbeanappropriateandhelpfulcomponentofsanctionswhencombinedwithmore
rigorousrequirements.
Publishalistofsanctioningofficersandappealsofficersandthetrainingtheyhave
received.
Toensuretransparentandlegitimatesanctioningprocesses,theOfficemustincludeinits
annualpublicationanaggregate,anonymizedreportofthesanctionsimposedonstudents
foundresponsibleforcommittinggenderbasedviolenceoncampus.Thisshould
includeallthecaseswhichwereconcludedinthegivenacademicyear(notsimplyallthe
caseswhichwerereportedinthatyear).Thisapproachisalreadyfollowedbypeer
institutionslikeYaleandtheUniversityofConnecticut.
Therespondentsconductduringthedisciplinaryprocess.(OGBMPolicy,7)
8.8.1.
Otherthanattemptsmadebytherespondenttoobstructjustice,conductofthe
respondentduringthedisciplinaryprocessshouldnotinfluencesanctioning.A
studentcanbewellmanneredduringaninvestigationprocessandstillhave
committedanactofseriousviolence.