Dear UW Students:
President Cauce recently communicated with the UW community regarding the new Title IX regulations which were released by the U.S. Department of Education on May 6, 2020. The UW (and thousands of others) urged the Department of Education to take a different tack with these rules which govern how educational institutions respond to sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct. Despite the fact that the final rules are disappointingly similar to what was originally proposed in 2018, there is nothing in the final regulations that will deter us from our commitment to inclusion, equity, and accountability.
The University of Washington will continue to address all forms of sexual misconduct, we will continue to provide support and resources for all members of our community who experience these harmful behaviors, and we will continue to investigate and adjudicate allegations of misconduct via equitable and fair processes.
The University of Washington has already begun an in-depth review of the new rules, which go into effect August 14, 2020. Our initial statement about the new regulations includes links to a Department of Education overview and summary of the rules. We will provide updates on our UW review process and share opportunities to engage in our implementation planning via the “Title IX News” blog on the Title IX website, and through other means. You can also contact the Office of the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uw.edu with questions or comments.
For support resources, including contact information for confidential advocates, SafeCampus, and options for reporting all forms of sexual misconduct, please see the UW’s sexual assault resources page.
Sincerely,
Valery Richardson
Title IX Coordinator – University of Washington
Denzil Suite
Vice President for Student Life – Seattle Campus
Tim Wilson
Dean of Student Affairs – Bothell Campus
Mentha Hynes-Wilson
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs – Tacoma Campus