October 24, 2022
Dear Pitzer Campus Community,
I write today with an update on important work with regard to our Title IX office and related campus practices and protocols. This includes an update on the search for the professional staff in the office.
As you may remember, the Title IX Task Force, composed of faculty, staff, and students, was charged to review Pitzer’s Title IX processes and provide recommendations to the president. The complexity and the evolving nature of the Title IX regulation and discrimination and conduct policies (DHSM) require careful consideration, and I deeply appreciate the time and dedication of the Task Force and the many community members who participated in listening sessions.
Recommendations
The Task Force’s May 2022 update recommended a focus on three key areas:
- Development of Pitzer-specific, trauma-informed well-being support for survivors and respondents
- Prevention and education about sexual assault and misconduct for students and employees
- TIX sexual assault and misconduct staff, policy, process, and coordination
The members of the Task Force, the Interim Title IX Coordinator Alyssa-Rae McGinn, and faculty members Sumangala Bhattacharya and Maya Federman have done considerable work in these three areas and provided specific recommendations within each.
Title IX Office Staffing
Pitzer initiated a search in the summer to replace our Coordinator when they left for another opportunity. Finding the very best person is our highest priority, and after consultations that included external advisors and many of the individuals on the Search Committee and the Title IX Task Force, we decided to retain a national recruiter to help relaunch the effort. We also determined, due to the competitive employment market and the importance of the position, that Pitzer is better served by modifying the position to “Senior Director of the Office of Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Coordination.”
We have asked the original Search Committee to continue to serve if available. We anticipate the Senior Director will be selected by January and start at Pitzer during the spring term. Until then, Alyssa-Rae McGinn will continue to serve as our Interim Title IX Coordinator.
Additionally, on the recommendation of the Task Force, the College has budgeted for a second position, to be hired by the new Senior Director should another role be necessary to fully support the community.
Prevention and Education
A subcommittee of the Task Force on Prevention and Education did considerable work to research and document best practices over the spring semester. A subset of that committee is partnering with Alyssa-Rae to continue to augment programming and improve materials and web content. Alyssa-Rae will be hosting a series of conversations and training for students, faculty, and staff later this month. Information is available on the Title IX website, and I hope you will attend a session to refresh your understanding of how to support our community and yourself.
More Next Steps
As we move forward in hiring staff and making continuous improvement to our support on campus, we will be implementing another recommendation of the Task Force: establishing a standing advisory committee. I look forward to that group as an ongoing committee which will support the communication and effectiveness of our Title IX Office over time.
It is my utmost priority as president to foster a safe and supportive community. I ask all of you to join me by participating in education and sharing concerns. I welcome you to contact me directly at [email protected]. We all need to be part of the solution to providing a safe and fair environment for our community to thrive in.
Provida Futuri,
Jill Klein P’15
Interim President
