The CU Boulder community is invited to review a revised draft of the Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Abuse, and Stalking Policy (APS 5014) and to provide feedback by Friday, July 12.
Why was the policy revised?
In April, the U.S. Department of Education released its updated Title IX rules, requiring schools across the nation to update their policies and processes for addressing sex discrimination to align with changes in federal law.
Process for updating CU Boulder’s policies
- Led by Valerie Simons, University of Colorado vice president of compliance and equity, a systemwide group of representatives from campus equity offices and the Office of University Counsel met this past year in anticipation of the new Title IX rules to begin revising existing campus policy for all four campuses.
- The working group shared initial drafts with stakeholders on all four campuses in June.
- The working group is now conducting a broader review through the system Office of Policy and Efficiency to engage with students, faculty and staff, campus governance groups and external stakeholders on all four system campuses through July 12.
- The campus chancellors and CU President Todd Saliman will consider feedback and finalize the policy.
- Campus Title IX officers will update campus policies by July 31.
- The effective date is Aug. 1, 2024, pursuant to the new Title IX rules.
- Campus Title IX officers will update campus procedures by Aug. 1, 2024, in accordance with the updated Sexual Misconduct Policy
Goals of the policy
The policy was drafted with the following goals in mind:
- Ensure compliance with recent changes to Title IX.
- Align the Sexual Misconduct Policy with the updated Nondiscrimination Policy (which will also be effective Aug. 1) to ensure continued protections against discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy and related retaliation as required by federal Title IX, Colorado and regent law.
- Incorporate Regent Policy 10A.
- Incorporate guidance and resources for reporting options and confidential resources.
- Describe the role and jurisdiction of equity offices.
Next steps
Feedback is requested by July 12 so that the Office of Policy and Efficiency may share it with leadership and the systemwide working group. Community input will inform revisions to the draft before its final presentation to the chancellors and the president.
In addition, the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance at CU Boulder will continue to gather insights to ensure changes to the policy and processes are effectively serving our campus's needs and to inform future potential updates to the policy.