Title IX News

If you weren’t able to join the June 2 or June 4 community conversation, a recording is now available of the June 2 presentation.

The video includes information about what the new federal rules require, and how UW is responding. Phase I of our response includes developing interim/emergency rules that must be in place by August 14, 2020.  After the August implementation deadline, we will enter Phase II of our response, which will allow for broader input and participation from students, staff, faculty, and the larger community. Phase II discussions and engagement will lead to final UW policies and code revisions, a process that we anticipate will culminate in Spring 2021. Please email titleix@uw.edu if you are interested in participating in Phase I or Phase II of the UW response to the new federal Title IX rules.

The new federal Title IX rules describe how the US Department of Education will define sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence; they outline when an institution must respond to this conduct, and they prescribe how an institution must respond. Join us for a community conversation to discuss key elements of the new federal rules, what impact the rules will (or won’t) have on UW processes and services, and how you can provide input as the University prepares for the August 14 implementation date.

Both Community Conversations are open to UW students, faculty, and staff from all UW campuses and locations.

Be sure to upgrade your Zoom software to version 5 before the meeting starts.

Tuesday, June 2
12 noon – 1 p.m.
Click here to register for this conversation on Zoom

–OR–

Thursday, June 4
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Click here to register for this conversation on Zoom

A confirmation with the meeting link will be sent to your UW email address. Note: the confirmation may arrive in your clutter or filtered folder.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made 24 hours in advance of the event to TitleIX@uw.edu

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

 

The U.S Department of Education posted final Title IX regulations on May 6, 2020, to go into effect on August 14, 2020. The new rules have maintained most of the elements from the proposed regulations (see UW’s response from January 2019), while also including new and amended language.

The Department of Education’s website includes an overview and summary of major provisions, and University personnel are working now to complete a thorough analysis of the over 2000-page final rule document. Additional information will be posted on the Title IX website over the coming weeks providing an overview of our analysis, the likely impact at UW, and opportunities to give input on the University’s implementation of the new regulations.

While we were hopeful that the Department of Education would incorporate more of the feedback provided during the notice-and-comment period, the University of Washington will not lessen our commitment to addressing sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and other forms of sexual misconduct. We will continue to respond to these harmful behaviors – through a variety of appropriate and equitable mechanisms – and we will proceed with new and current University-wide education and prevention initiatives focused on creating and maintaining a culture that does not tolerate violence or harassment.

There is speculation that the Department of Education will be releasing final Title IX rules early in 2020. If and when final rules are released, the Office of the Title IX Coordinator will work quickly to review and provide a general overview of the rules and implementation timeline. We will also schedule and announce opportunities to come together as a community to discuss the final rules and their potential impact on University policies and procedures.

The proposed Title IX regulations  were posted in the Federal Register in November of 2018 and received over 100,000 comments during the notice and comment period, including a detailed response from the UW.

Join us for a conversation about the community impacts of sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct. What rights, resources and options are available to people who have experienced sexual misconduct? What can bystanders do to intervene and prevent harm? What happens during a University investigation? How can we better support the individuals and communities who are impacted by sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct? Please come with questions, ideas and a willingness to engage and listen.

UW Bothell Conversation
Thursday, November 7, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, UW1-220

UW Seattle Conversations
Friday, November 8, 12:30  – 1:30 pm, Alder Hall Auditorium
Tuesday, November 12, 11:30 – 12:30 pm, Alder Hall Auditorium

UW Tacoma Conversation
Thursday, November 14, 12:30 – 1:30 pm, Keystone 102 (Carwein Auditorium)

The University of Washington has submitted a response to the proposed Title IX regulations and is now preparing for what comes next. Title IX community conversations are scheduled for all three campuses and will include available updates about the federal rule-making process, UW Title IX initiatives around prevention and response, and ideas for providing ongoing student input on Title IX issues.

Join us for Title IX community conversation:

UW Seattle
Monday, April 8, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Alder Hall Auditorium

Tuesday, April 9, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Health Sciences T-625

UW Tacoma
Friday, April 12, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Cherry Parks – CP 206C

UW Bothell
Monday, April 15, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
UW1 – 361

The U.S. Department of Education posted proposed Title IX regulations in the Federal Register on November 29, 2018. The University of Washington has analyzed these proposed rules, solicited input from the UW community, and has submitted a detailed response.

Additional updates, including opportunities for input and discussion, will be posted here as we learn more about the Department’s response to the input received during this comment period.

The U.S. Department of Education posted proposed Title IX regulations in the Federal Register on November 29, 2018. This initiated a notice and comment period with comments due to the Department of Education on or before January 28, 2019.

Attend a 2019 UW discussion forum

Title IX discussion forums will include an overview of key content in the proposed regulations, how the proposed rules could impact UW policy, procedure, and protocol, and an opportunity for Q&A and open discussion.

UW Seattle
Monday, January 14, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Allen Auditorium

UW Seattle
Tuesday, January 15, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
South Campus Center SCC 301

UW Tacoma
Wednesday, January 16, 12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
MAT 214

UW Bothell – please note time and location change
Thursday, January 17, 12:00 – 1:30pm
UW1 – 280 (Rose Room)

Provide written feedback

Any individual can provide feedback to the Department of Education. Go to regulations.gov and click on the “Comment Now!” button.

The UW as an institution will be providing feedback during the comment period. As a member of the University community, we welcome anything you’d like us to consider as we develop UW’s institutional response.

Submit Comments to UW This input survey is now closed.

Background

The U.S. Department of Education released proposed Title IX regulations on Nov. 16, 2018, which were published in the Federal Register on November 29, 2018. This initiated a 60-day notice and comment period with comments due to the Department of Education on or before January 28, 2019. The Department will consider the comments received and either move forward with finalizing the rules or revise the proposed rules and open them for additional comment.

The University is conducting a full analysis of the proposed regulations and their potential impact on UW processes and protocols.

The UW student conduct code currently provides for a fair and equitable process. In addition to equitable processes, the UW provides support and resources—including confidential advocates and support measures—to anyone who has experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking or other sexual misconduct. Respondent resource staff are available to any UW student who is alleged to have violated the student conduct code.

To learn more about the proposed regulations, including how they could impact UW policy, procedure and protocol—and to provide input regarding how Title IX is implemented at the UW—please plan to attend one of the Title IX discussion forums listed above.

While the news from the Department of Education is significant, and many within our University community have expressed concern, the UW reaffirms our deep commitment to preventing and addressing sexual assault, sexual harassment and all forms of sexual misconduct and will continue to advance our Title IX mission of promoting educational access and advancing gender equity.