To All Members of the Campus Community:
As you may know, as part of a systemwide effort across our 23 California State University campuses, the Cozen O’Connor Institutional Response Group has been working to assess how we respond to reports and incidents of discrimination and harassment.
By means of interviews, campus visits, survey results, and email feedback, the Cozen O’Connor Group has identified core observations for improvements at the system level and on individual campuses. The recommendations from this assessment will guide and help us to improve our Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR) training, awareness, prevention, intervention, compliance, and support systems.
With these important findings now in hand, a campus implementation team has been assembled, which includes a broad cross-section of campus stakeholders, with the goal of advancing Cozen’s recommendations. Key areas of focus and action for Sacramento State over the months to come will include:
- Strengthening and maximizing the utilization of the Office of Equal Opportunity’s internal tracking system and documentation of each step in the report response process.
- Clear articulation and more visible education about the different reporting pathways on our campus, including increased professional development for faculty and staff.
- Making the reporting process more apparent, transparent, and user-friendly, including creating user-friendly flow charts and “one-pagers” outlining and simplifying the various complex processes.
- Supporting our campus community, particularly students, in understanding the various policy processes related to Title IX report response (notification, intake, formal complaint, informal resolution, determination, investigation, hearing, and appeal processes).
- Ensuring integrity and accountability measures are embedded in every step of the process.
This work will be challenging, but I know that we are up to the challenge. Our full support and appreciation go to the implementation team members who will invest their time, energy, and expertise in this vital effort. Our ambitious goals will require substantial planning, additional resources and personnel, and will be accomplished in stages. We will continue to share our progress and specific plans as they are developed and evolve.
The release of this report is an opportunity to make lasting, impactful change to ensure that Sacramento State is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place where all of us can thrive. Together, we will continue to nurture and strengthen a culture of care, safety, belonging, and respect.
Luke Wood, Ph.D.
President
Mia Settles-Tidwell, Ed.D.
Vice President for Inclusive Excellence
William “Skip” Bishop, J.D.
Director of the Office for Equal Opportunity
