Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Jen Luettel Schweer" <>]

I would like to second Juliette's very thoughtful remarks.

It's not unusual to hear that students are hesitant to trust others or
specific systems based on word of mouth... whether fair or not.  The hope is
that they find that an advocacy office is a place they can process and get
options without committing to any particular procedure.  While in theory it
sounds as if this would remain true in your case-- they may be able to come
to you as an advocate and not an officer in the judicial process--it might
also seem unclear and work as a barrier to them in coming forward for any
services.

I believe that it's critical to have strong ties with our judicial systems
in order to advocate for our students.... and we no doubt have incredibly
knowledgeable, caring professionals in these roles.  However, in my mind it
could create lots of confusion around which hat you are wearing... and like
Juliette said-- if someone is sactioned by you for something totally
unrelated, they may be much less likely to utilize you as an advocate down
the road if needed.

I think this is a great question-- and I'm so glad you brought it up.  We
all struggle with the multiple roles we play on our campuses.  However, I
think that students need to see a clear distinction between our
counseling/advocacy services and conduct processes.

Best of luck with your decision... and I appreciate the chance to have this
conversation. To echo Juliette one last time... no judgment, we all know how
difficult it can be to navigate these decisions.  Ultimately, we're all here
because we care about what happens to  students...

Best,

Jen

-- 
Jen Luettel Schweer, M.A., LPC
Sexual Assault and Health Issues Coordinator
Georgetown University
Health Education Services
207 Village C West
Washington, D.C., 20057
202.687.0323-phone
202.687.8948-fax


On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 9:58 AM, Juliette Grimmett <
>
 wrote:

> While I respectfully understand where Ray is coming from, I think with
> Candace's situation, the issues are very different.  I certainly get
> feeling proud to be invited, and it is a wonderful service that is very
> helpful to folks and necessary on a campus.  I believe the issue is
> however that if your role is to advocate for students that that needs to
> be all you do.  We know how hard it is for students to come forward in
> the first place and while we cannot be perfect at all times, word of
> mouth is vital in this work - if you sanctioned a friend of a survivor,
> the may not encourage the person to come to you.  Not to mention, what
> if you ended up sanctioning someone for something unrelated and then
> they were raped the next day - it could be very unlikely that they seek
> out your service if they saw you in that context - they may feel you
> won't believe them even more than survivors already have those thoughts
> and/or they may be mad at you and not trust you.  Another thought is
> that being PART of the disciplinary folks is very different than
> collaborating with them to help your survivors.  So, even if you are
> working with a survivor, they may question what you would share with the
> judicial folks because of your relationship with them.
>
> This is just my two cents - I too have always been interested in serving
> in the judiciary board setting, but I really believe that the lines are
> already confusing for students, and we know how few come forward.  You
> doing this work could potentially decrease survivor's coming forward,
> and could question trust.  No matter how wonderful you are - the reality
> is that advocates and sanctioning folks have very different roles, and I
> personally believe that they should remain separate in this case.
>
> Good luck, i know this is a hard decision and certainly no judgment here
> - just my two cents,
>
> juliette
>
>
> >>> "Raymond Tuttle" 
> >>> <>
> >>>  09/03/08 1:42 PM >>>
>  Candace,
>
> Staff members on small campuses wear many hats, and I think ultimately
> you are judged not as much for your title and your roles as you are for
> how you interact and connect with students. I am the chief judicial
> officer on our campus — on the surface, perhaps, not every student's
> favorite administrator — but I work hard to be genuine and caring, and
> I think that overcomes most resentments that students might feel because
> I gave them a sanction or found them responsible in a hearing.
>
> Best,
>
> Ray
>
> Raymond S. Tuttle, Ph.D.
> Director of Judicial Affairs and Community Responsibility
> University of Mary Washington
> (540) 654-1660 /-1527 (fax)
>
> >>> "Daniels, Candace" 
> >>> <>
> >>>  09/03/08 11:59 AM >>>
> Hello all!
>
>
>
> I primarily play the role of victim advocate on my campus, but I was
> recently offered a spot as an Administrative Hearing Officer for
> campus
> judicial proceedings. The coordinator of the judicial program informed
> me that I would not be hearing cases related to alcohol and drugs,
> sexual assault, or dating violence, but that I would be limited to
> hearing cases about residence life policy violations and other campus
> policy violations. However, I am still concerned that my role in the
> judicial process, especially as someone handing out sanctions for
> violations, will affect my reputation on campus as an advocate for
> students. Even if I will never hear about a case associated with my
> day-to-day duties, a student that receives a sanction from me might
> view
> me more as a judicial officer and not as a campus resource outside of
> that process.
>
>
>
> I was excited to receive the invitation, it has always been something
> I
> wanted to get involved in, but I am not sure if becoming a judicial
> officer is unethical considering my main role on campus.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts or suggestions about how I should proceed?
>
>
>
>
>
> Candace Daniels
>
> Wellness Advocate
>
> Health and Counseling Services
>
> St. Mary's College of Maryland
>
> TEL: 240.895.4289
>
> 
>
>
>
> E-mail is not a secure form of communication. The confidentiality of
> this e-mail...to ACT as an intervening bystander...
>
> ...to STAND as a man against sexual violence...
>
> ...BE EMPOWERED.
>
>
>
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