2021-22 Annual Report

 

CCSRM Charge

The CCSRM is a diverse, multi-constituency College committee whose charge is:

• review practices, procedures, and programming relevant to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and Title IX issues;
• provide feedback to the Title IX Coordinator on educational programs/initiatives and other sex discrimination policy initiatives; and
• guided by the Title IX Coordinator, review the Occidental College Sexual Misconduct Policy, within the framework of federal law and guidelines, and offer suggestions for update or revision.
• The CCSRM will present an annual report to the president and the campus community by May 1, 2022. The report will include a summary of the year's work, as well as any recommendations made by the committee with respect to existing policies, procedures and practices.

 

Summary of the Year’s Work

The following is a summary of the CCSRM’s work during the 2021-2022 academic year. Committee minutes for each committee meeting are posted at: /civil-rights-title-ix/sexual-respect-title-ix/campus-committee-sexual-responsibility-misconduct.

Interim Sexual Misconduct Policy Revisions

The CCSRM provided feedback to the Title IX Coordinator regarding revisions to the College's Interim Sexual Misconduct Policy that were necessary to comply with state Senate Bill 493 and U.S. Department of Education guidance. Among the changes were: revisions to the Non-Title IX Sexual Harassment, Non-Title IX Sexual Violence, and Sexual Exploitation definitions to comply with SB 493; clearer and more robust definitions for sex or gender-based discrimination and gender-based harassment; a more explicit prohibition of relationships between employees and students; and renaming the policy the “Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy” to incorporate the types of prohibited conduct that are not sexual in nature. The Committee will continue to participate in future revisions of the policy, including in response to anticipated changes to the Department of Education’s Title IX regulations.

Climate Survey

The College’s anonymous sexual assault climate survey was open to all members of the community between October 29 and November 19, 2021. To ensure the anonymity of responses, the survey was administered through the Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) Consortium, an independent, non-profit organization that serves national liberal arts colleges and private universities. The Fall 2021 survey was very similar to previous campus surveys, which were based on the HEDS survey templates and edited by the CCRSM and Institutional Research specifically for Occidental. Response rates to the survey–students, faculty and staff–were low, but commensurate with response rates from other recent climate surveys. Given community concerns regarding the language used in the HEDS survey and its negative effect on participation rates, the committee recommends that the College develop an Oxy-specific sexual assault climate survey for use in future.

Student Activism and Ongoing College Efforts

The CCSRM provided feedback and recommendations in relation to student activism regarding sexual assault prevention and response during the fall semester. While the CCSRM does not have formal responsibility for ensuring the completion of the action plan the College outlined in President Elam’s November 16, 2021 email, it commends the action plan, notes the completion of many of the action items, and recommends continued work to complete the outstanding items. The CCSRM additionally notes that work related to sexual misconduct prevention and response is never “complete,” and urges the continued allocation of resources dedicated to supporting these ongoing efforts. Finally, to promote the clarity and accessibility of information and to assist with the “in-depth overhaul” of the Sexual Respect and Title IX website, the CCSRM recommends the formation of a website redesign working group. 

 

Committee Recommendations:

• Develop a sexual assault climate survey tailored to Oxy’s specific needs for use in future
• Continue efforts to complete the action plan outlined by President Elam on November 16
• Create a Sexual Respect and Title IX Website Overhaul Working Group and begin the redesign process
• Conduct an internal review of the structure and organization of the CCSRM to increase campus input and participation, increase efficacy and streamline efforts
• Continue the Committee for the 2022-23 Academic Year

 

CCSRM Membership

The 2021-22 members are:

• Project SAFE – Tirzah Blanche, Manager and Survivor Advocate
• Project SAFE – Joaquin Caro, Program Coordinator & Prevention Education Specialist
• Student Appointment 1 – Juno Raphael, Project SAFE Programming Assistant 
• Student Appointment 2 – Gillian Northway, OSAC Member 
• Faculty Council Appointment 1 - Thalia González, Professor of Politics
• Faculty Council Appointment 2 – Mike Hill, Professor of Chemistry
• Intercultural Community Center - Chris Arguedas, Director
• Human Resources - Jacie Feigelman, Associate Director of Employee Relations and Training
• Emmons Wellness Center – Devon Sakamoto, Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness
• Dean of Students Office - Vivian Santiago, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Success
• Residential Education and Housing Services - Isaiah Thomas, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Education, Housing Services and Student Conduct
• Athletics - Rob Bartlett, Cross Country and Track Head Coach
• Campus Safety - Rick Tanksley, Director of Campus Safety
• Office of Marketing & Communication – Jim Tranquada, Director of Communications and Community Relations
• Civil Rights & Title IX Office - Andrea Boyle, Case Manager
• Civil Rights & Title IX Office - Alexandra Fulcher, Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator