Report 2013-124 Recommendation 50 Responses
Report 2013-124: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence: California Universities Must Better Protect Students by Doing More to Prevent, Respond to, and Resolve Incidents (Release Date: June 2014)
Recommendation #50 To: University of California
The Office of the President should clarify in the UC policies that if a university chooses to use the early resolution process, the Title IX coordinators and other university staff involved in resolving the complaint should have and document ongoing communication with complainants demonstrating their attempts to resolve the matter to mutual agreement of all relevant parties.
1-Year Agency Response
The current UC Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence (http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385) includes that steps taken and agreements reached through the Early Resolution process should be documented. Title IX offices are aware of the need to document ongoing communication with complainants. These processes will be reviewed --- as part of the University's internal audit plans.
- Completion Date: June 2015
- Response Date: June 2015
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented
6-Month Agency Response
The University is updating its policy on sexual harassment/sexual violence in accordance with the Final Regulations on amendments to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) issued on October 20, 2014 and recently enacted changes in California law. The updated policy will be implemented no later than July 1, 2015. President Napolitano's Task Force on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence and Sexual Assault developed key recommendations regarding implementing reporting and the complaint processes, utilization of consistent nomenclature, uniform advocacy and case management services, and education and training. The Task Force continues its work implementing its recommendations to ensure that students receive the University's policy on sexual harassment/sexual violence, and have a clear understanding of their rights and expectations when filing a complaint.
- Estimated Completion Date: 7/1/2015
- Response Date: December 2014
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending
60-Day Agency Response
The University revised its policy on sexual harassment/sexual violence in February 2014 to bring the policy in line with amendments to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). We will update our policy accordingly after the final rule for VAWA is promulgated in November. President Napolitano's Task Force for Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence and Sexual Assault is reviewing current practices regarding dissemination of policy, information on reporting and the complaint process, and utilization of consistent nomenclature to ensure that students receive the University's policy on sexual harassment/sexual violence, and have a clear understanding of their rights and expectations when filing a complaint.
- Estimated Completion Date: Spring 2015
- Response Date: August 2014
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2013-124
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.