Editorial: UT’s Title IX policy is improving

The University of Toledo is updating its policies to comply with Title IX, a federal law forbidding discrimination based on sex in educational institutions. There have been a few Title IX complaints this academic year, and in at least one instance that involved a student who was sexually assaulted, the handling of the case was not up to par. This is why we are glad the university is taking extra steps to make sure it is up to code.

One of the biggest improvements being made is the addition of a full-time Title IX coordinator. The person who used to run the program had other jobs to do as well, but with the full-time Title IX coordinator, their only job would be to ensure UT is compliant with Title IX, and to manage any Title IX complaints and paperwork the university needs. There will finally be a figurehead for all people with Title IX issues at the university to go to. This makes it so the person handling Title IX complaints will be able to make them a priority, rather than adding them to a list of a dozen other things they need to accomplish as part of their job.

We like that UT is taking problems to heart and not just blowing off the recommendations. They went outside of the university to have an independent source who has experience with Title IX cases evaluate the system. UT has a plan to address each point the independent firm brought up, and has already moved on making some of these changes.

They are:

1. Streamlining the Title IX processes. By reducing the number of policies and making them clearer, people will know exactly which policies apply for their own situation. A victim of sexual assault should know exactly where to go to find the university’s policy, and be able to understand it easily. By streamlining and clarifying the process, UT is taking steps to make this possible.
2. Revising the report-handling process. Being bogged down in paperwork and logistics isn’t specific to the Title IX process, but making the whole process from start to finish simpler makes it easier for victims to know what they’re expecting once they file a report. This would have helped a former UT softball coach who wasn’t informed that her case was being investigated.
3. Updating the website. Having an up-to-date website would be good for those who don’t feel comfortable to find assistance in-person. They can get a lot of the first-step questions online, and when they get the information, they will probably feel comfortable enough to go in.
4. Assessing the campus. This is necessary because as time goes on people change. People’s needs will change as time goes on. By having discussions with people on campus they can see how people’s needs change and how the department needs to change with it. Title IX isn’t going away. We need a system to make sure UT continues to evolve and improve its policies, and having a way to assess the campus helps maintain accountability.
5. Educating students. The university is going to make an awareness campaign to educate students. Title IX can be a somewhat confusing subject, and an awareness campaign can help clear up any misconceptions. This will be good to help prevent Title IX complaints, but also to help those who need to file a complaint. It will help people know exactly where to go for help.

While we are glad the changes are happening, it’s important to recognize they could and should have been made a long time ago. In September, a student filed a Title IX complaint against the school for the mishandling of her sexual assault case. If changes were made to the program before this, they could have helped that student. A few years ago, the University of Toledo Feminist Alliance held events protesting the removal of a Title IX coordinator, and people have been complaining about the lack of updates to UT’s website for ages.

It’s shameful that it took the mishandling of a sexual assault case to make these changes, but we are glad they are finally happening.