Betsy DeVos’s new sexual harassment rules might already be hurting students
One school just got rid of its Title IX coordinator. The debate could be a sign of things to come.
For many students who experienced sexual assault or harassment at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, Title IX coordinator Emily Ralph was a supportive ear when they needed it most, students and alumni say.
Ralph was responsible for overseeing formal Title IX complaints at the university, as well as the university’s other efforts to prevent and address harassment and assault. With a master’s degree in social work as well as a law degree, she was both empathetic toward survivors and fair to everyone involved, one Drew alum told Vox.
“When Emily was put in place, reports went up,” said Sarah O’Brien, a graduate student at Drew. “That’s not because there was a problem all of a sudden — it’s because students felt comfortable reporting.”
But in early January, Ralph was let go. In what appears to be a cost-cutting measure, the university eliminated the position of full-time Title IX coordinator and announced that the role would be filled by an eight-member team, all of whom have other jobs at the university.
Drew president MaryAnn Baenninger told Vox that “with this distributed model, there will be more people who will be able to offer a knowledgeable approach that will help our whole community.” But some students and alumni are concerned that the move will make it harder for survivors to report, and easier for the university to sweep problems under the rug.
Meanwhile, advocates say situations like the one at Drew could become more common under new Title IX regulations issued in November by the Department of Education under Secretary Betsy DeVos. Anti-harassment groups fear the new regulations will make it easier for schools CONTINUE READING: Betsy DeVos’ new Title IX rules might already be hurting students - Vox