Meeting & Agendas

Attending: Cheryl Richard, Jorge Lynch, Dr. Voncille Wright, Toniette Robinson, Sandra Elizondo, Karl Meyer, Shari Rodriquez, Alisol Martinez, Patricia Salazar, Dawn Allison, James Hills, Sgt. Jesus Brantner, Dr. Louella Tate, Dr. Kathleen Christensen, Candice Brown, & Nicky Haywood Absent: Melanie Reyes & Michael Wade

- Committee is asked to work in groups of three to review the Institutional Policy Research handout and gain more information about the schools they picked out of the hat (at random). - Groups are asked to be prepared to share with the entire committee at the next meeting what they thought was best about the policies they reviewed and what should be included in the ACC Sexual Harassment/Sexual Violence Administrative Rule. o Candice Brown states that she will send out the electronic copy of the summary of policies so that everyone can gain access to the link attached to each school’s entire policy.

- Meeting adjourned by Cheryl Richard - 4:23pm

- Dr. L. Tate states that the functions of the committee should be updated to meet the current responsibilities of the committee.

Policy was developed to become compliant with the 1988 “Drug Free Act”. - The policy was passed and can now be found online along with many resources for help.

During the fall semester the committee will be working on the development of an administrative rule regarding sexual harassment/sexual violence. The committee will also work on developing a catalog notice on non-discrimination. During the spring semester we hope to work on developing an administrative rule regarding consensual relationships.

- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is coming to visit next fall; the last time they came ACC had to rapidly prepare students rights procedures. This time we would like to be better prepared. - Students have been under the misconception that they have academic freedom; they have rights and responsibilities. - By 2012-2013 the State & Federal Legislature will be piling on what students need to know; SRRC will need to work on a survey of how ACC is making important information available to students.

- Office of Civil Rights (OCR) sent out a “Dear Colleague” letter which helps to clarify the 2001 Revised Sexual Harassment Guidance. (Refer to handout of power point presentation given) o There are Title IX requirements that must be included in administrative rule. o Title IX is specific to sexual harassment; therefore administrative rule must clarify harassment from sexual harassment.  SRRC must make the policy of sexual harassment accessible to ALL. - Dr. Tate is the Sexual Harassment Coordinator. All Deans of Student, at all campuses deal with Title IX cases, but Dr. Tate would like to keep a tight paper trail and encourages ALL Deans to contact her when they are faced with a Title IX case. o Dr. Christensen clarifies that Geraldine Tucker, VP Human Resources is the Title IX representative for employees and Dr. Louella Tate, Dean of Students is the student representative.  When sexual grievance case is reported to any administrator these are the designated administrators to take the case to. - Adding a notice of Non-Discrimination to student orientation may be a good idea. - Sergeant Jesus states that ACC has worked on getting the Police Department to work externally, while the school administration works internally when Title IX problems arise. - Dr. Christensen states that there are a large number of stalking cases involved in sexual harassment cases, so the development of a “Sexual Harassment/Sexual Violence” Administrative Rule will need to include stalking as a component. - “Do we disclose sexual grievance cases from students (who do not want “anything” to happen)?” o We must always think of the protection of the student and the institution; so to \'\'do nothing or say nothing\'\' would not be the right answer. - ACC must provide prompt and Equitable Resolution of Sex Discrimination o Must give perpetrator due process & notify victim as well. o Response to grievance should be “immediate”, “effective corrective”, and should invoke “change”.  Sergeant Jesus states that a lot of grievances are being handled administratively and therefore the Police Departments are not getting a lot of reports, although student services is getting better with turning over cases to the Police Department.  Dr. Tate states that she is experiencing an increase in cases (5-6 per year). o Implement prevention programs, i.e. student orientation… - “When OCR finds that a school has not taken prompt effective steps to respond to sexual harassment or violence, OCR will seek appropriate remedies for both the complainant and the broader student population…”

-Cheryl Richard nominated Jorge Lynch oDr. Voncille Wright seconded Cheryl’s nomination Jorge Lynch, Co-Chair

- Handout of the “Summary of Sexual Harassment/Sexual Violence Policies for the University of Texas, Texas State, & “Metro 8”” is included in the committee members’ folders.