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

[Brett Sokolow <>]

For Immediate Release  Malvern, PA -- May 26th, 2011

A landmark shift is happening with respect to college and university conduct policies and grievance procedures as a result of the OCR Title IX Dear Colleague Letter released in April, which finally clarifies a wide range of critical issues pertaining to campus sexual violence. 

 

In the years to come, the issuance of this Dear Colleague Letter will come to be seen as a watershed moment in advancing victim’s rights on college campuses, and in recognizing the influence that Title IX wields in defining best practices for campus response to sexual violence.

 

Campuses including Yale and Stanford have recently announced changes in many areas; including policy, grievance procedures, standards of proof, and appeal rights for victims.  For these campuses and many others, including the University of Virginia, revisions were underway before the issuance of the Dear Colleague Letter, which provided additional impetus for changes and clarity on what types of changes were needed. 

 

NCHERM has had a long-standing relationship with the University of Virginia, providing annual training on sexual misconduct to the UVa Sexual Misconduct Board, investigators and advocates since 2005.  Brett A. Sokolow, Esq., NCHERM’s Managing Partner has also had the opportunity to play a role in the revision of the UVa Sexual Misconduct Policy and Grievance Procedures released at the end of May. 

 

This revision process engaged a wide range of stake holders in a thoughtful and informed dialogue about how to produce policies and procedures that were not only compliant with Title IX, but would create a roadmap of best practices as a model for the field of higher education.  UVa invited and encouraged extensive public commentary on drafts before finalizing its revisions.

 

In addition to providing consultation during the revision process, NCHERM made public comments on the UVa policy and procedures in draft form.  NCHERM has posted those comments on its website.  To access, click here or visit: http://www.ncherm.org/documents/UVaSexualMisconductPolicyProcedures-PublicComment-5-25-11.pdf

 

Regards,
Brett A. Sokolow
Brett A. Sokolow, J.D.
Attorney-At-Law


"Best Practices for Campus Health and Safety"

Managing Partner
The National Center for Higher
Education Risk Management, Ltd.
(a not-for-profit corporation)
20 Callery Way
Malvern, PA 19355-2969
Tel. (610) 993-0229
Fax (610) 993-0228
Brett Blogs! at www.ncherm.org

Executive Director, The National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (www.nabita.org)

NCHERM serves as counsel/advisor to 17 campuses, including:

Special Counsel to the Dean of the College, Franklin & Marshall College

Special Counsel to the Dean of Students, Dominican University (IL)
Special Counsel for Student Conduct Issues, Warren Wilson College
Special Advisor to the University of Texas, San Antonio
Special Counsel, Concordia University (TX)
Special Counsel, Northern Virginia Community College
Special Counsel, Southwestern Michigan College
Special Counsel, the Community College of Allegheny County
Special Advisor, Vassar College
Special Advisor, Henry Ford Community College
Special Counsel, Bridgepoint Education
Special Counsel, Milwaukee Area Technical College

Special Counsel, Salisbury University