The University of Colorado today submitted comments and questions on behalf of its four campuses to the U.S. Department of Education in response to proposed Title IX regulations.
The department provided a two-month public comment period, which ended Jan. 30, regarding the proposed new rules for how campuses handle cases of sexual assault. The Boulder campus solicited feedback from its own community on the proposed regulations and submitted those to the systemwide committee led by CU Vice President and University Counsel Patrick O’Rourke.
The systemwide committee reviewed the proposed rules and feedback and ultimately recommended the comment and questions that were adopted and submitted on behalf of University President Bruce Benson. According to O’Rourke, the questions and comments are intended to help determine how to interpret and implement some key points if the proposed rules were to be adopted in their existing form.
“Our current Title IX policies and procedures, after a thorough systemwide review and refinement last year, continue to serve us well,” said Valerie Simons, associate vice chancellor and Title IX coordinator for the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance. “These policies and procedures promote our core values of safety, fair and equitable processes for all, and compliance with the current legal framework.”
Simons noted, should the U.S. Department of Education adopt new Title IX regulations in the future, the university will make any necessary changes consistent with those values and keep the campus community apprised of any adjustments, and seek their continual feedback throughout the process.
“We remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every member of our community can succeed without discrimination or harassment. We will continue to prioritize the prevention of and response to incidents of sexual misconduct and fulfilling the letter and spirit of Title IX,” she added.
The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance can be reached at oiec@colorado.eu or 303-492-2127.
