Sexual Misconduct Prevention Working Group

Charge

The Rhodes Sexual Misconduct Working Group is charged with conducting a comprehensive review of the existing Rhodes Title IX policies, procedures and practices in order to identify strengths and areas for improvement. The SMWG should research best practices related to Title IX compliance and make recommendations to help guide and empower the Faculty/Staff Advisory Board and the Student Title IX Advisory Board as they carry out ongoing efforts to reduce the occurrence and impact of sexual misconduct on campus; to ensure that students, faculty, and staff have access to comprehensive prevention education; and to create an environment that values and promotes a culture of respect.

Sexual Misconduct Working Group Members

• Graduating seniors Taylor Ansel and Spencer Beckman will be alumni members

Current Title IX Advisory Bodies

Title IX Advisory Board

The Title IX Advisory Board is composed of Rhodes’ faculty and staff representing critical areas of the College responsible for ensuring students’ ability to learn in an environment free of inequity, harassment, discrimination or violence predicated on gender, perceived gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The Title IX

Advisory Board is charged with meeting regularly to identify the needs, issues, trends, and climate of campus around gender discrimination and sexual violence issues; inform and provide feedback on Title IX policies, initiatives, programming, and materials; review and make recommendations concerning programs and initiatives designed to prevent and address gender discrimination and sexual violence; and to serve as a resource on Title IX issues for all campus constituents. The Title IX Advisory Board will work with their student counterpart in carrying out these functions.

Student Title IX Advisory Board

The Student Title IX Advisory Board is composed of active members of Rhodes’ student community representing the various student groups on campus. The Board is charged with working directly with the student body by listening to peers, encouraging dialogue, and conveying the needs, opinions, and concerns of the student body to the administration via regular meetings with the Title IX Coordinator and the Faculty/Staff Advisory Board. The Student Board is composed of servant leaders who are charged with being a personable resource and tool for all students, and as a communication link between the administration and the groups we represent. We are committed to encouraging the college to implement and enforce policies that assure justice for victims, equity for respondents, and transparency in the Title IX process. The Student Title IX Advisory Board will work tirelessly to develop Rhodes College into an environment free of all forms of inequity, discrimination, or violence predicated on gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Sexual Misconduct Working Group Committees

Impairment & Consent

College students frequently struggle to understand what consent actually means. Many students find it hard to determine when someone is incapacitated, and, therefore, incapable of giving consent. This committee will examine the relationship between impairment and consent and offer recommendations for increasing awareness and changing behavior among students. The committee will ensure that recommendations are culturally relevant and inclusive and able to be assessed empirically.

• Tyler Cempre (Chair)
• Abbey Bako
• Tony Eskridge
•  Richard O'Neil III
• Catherine Owen
• Malika Rao

Title IX Formal Resolution Process Improvements

What are best practices related to Title IX procedures? What does law require? Are alternate dispute resolution and restorative justice effective approaches to resolving Title IX cases? This committee will review all aspects of the Rhodes Title IX process from beginning to end and make recommendations for improvement. The committee will also offer recommendations regarding the use of alternate dispute resolution and restorative justice at Rhodes. The committee will ensure that recommendations are culturally relevant and inclusive and able to be assessed empirically.

• Darlene Loprete (Chair)
• Abbey Bako
• Melissa Butler
• Tyler Cempre
• D'on Coofer  
• Meredith Davis
• Christine Fox
• Alicia Golston
• Judith Haas
• Richard O'Neil III
• Catherine Owen    
• Rebecca Risman
• Kimberlee Small
• Emma Taylor

Strategies for Prevention, Education and Awareness

This committee will identify and recommend strategies for implementing and institutionalizing a comprehensive sexual misconduct prevention program on campus. Strategies may include peer-based or other approaches to providing students with a comprehensive understanding of Title IX policy and procedures, resources available and reporting procedures. The committee will ensure that recommendations are culturally relevant and inclusive and able to be assessed empirically.

• Ira Lawson (Chair)
• Abbey Bako
• Pam Detrie     
• Jacob Fontaine
• Olivia Fowler
• Darlene LoPrete
• Jackie Paiz.         
• Ike Sloas      
• Beatrix Weil

Engaging the Campus Community

This committee will consider strategies for engaging student organizations and other campus constituents in communicating a consistent message across various media throughout the year.

The committee will ensure that recommendations are culturally relevant and inclusive and able to be assessed empirically.

• Becca Risman (Chair)
• Abbey Bako
• Tony Eskridge
• Olivia Fowler 
• Richard O’Neil III
• Jackie Paiz  
• Ike Sloas 
• Emma Taylor
• Beatrix Weil

Sexual Misconduct Working Group Proposed Timeline