HR News

University faculty and staff members, who are responsible for investigating and/or adjudicating complaints of sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment and stalking by students, staff and faculty at the University, participated in training sessions as part of ongoing education on the latest methods and processes.

“This training educates investigators and adjudicators so the University is able to provide impartial, equitable and trauma-informed investigation and adjudication processes for students, faculty and staff,” says Pam Peter, assistant dean/director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. “It is meant to enhance and improve our processes and what we’re doing for the University community.”

The sessions included material on the University’s policies, procedures and resources relating to sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, including complaint policies and procedures, prohibitions on retaliation and student code of conduct; each employee’s specific role and responsibilities under the University’s policies and procedures; and how to conduct adequate, reliable, thorough and impartial complaint investigations and adjudications, including the effects of trauma and the rights of both parties.

The training for staff was conducted by Debbie Osgood, a partner at Hogan Marren Babbo & Rose Ltd., and the former national enforcement director for the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). She has extensive expertise on Title IX, having worked for OCR for 25 years and assisted in the development of the model the OCR uses when investigating institutions.

There was also a session on “Fairness and Compassion for All Parties in the Complaint Process,” facilitated by Cory Wallack, director of the University Counseling Center, and Osgood.

“The session discussed how these situations impact students and how to be objective but caring to both parties,” Peter says. “We reviewed how not to traumatize individuals who are going through the process, how to ask appropriate questions and how to phrase questions in different ways to get the necessary information to make an assessment about the facts.”

Faculty members underwent training facilitated by the Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion & Resolution Services and the Office of Faculty Affairs. The training included material on the University’s policies, procedures and resources, and also covered conducting effective investigations. Wallack also facilitated the same session on “Fairness and Compassion for All Parties in the Complaint Process” for the faculty members.

In addition to the training on Jan. 27, members of the Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence met with Osgood Jan. 26 to learn about strategies and best practices for Title IX compliance.

The session for members of the task force reviewed such matters as reasons to focus on Title IX compliance, the Title IX investigation process, trends in recent Title IX court cases and OCR sexual violence cases, and what upcoming changes might be expected in federal Title IX enforcement.

“This session allowed for greater understanding of what happens when an investigation takes place and then also a discussion of what might occur in the new administration,” Peter says. “The presentation provided a broader overview of the Office for Civil Rights, and the office’s overall purpose.”

Representatives from the OCR were on campus Jan. 24 and 25 to assess Syracuse University’s processes for handling complaints of sexual violence or harassment. These visits take place at campuses around the nation, as part of a Title IX review. OCR is looking into about 300 Title IX complaints at universities and colleges nationwide, including two cases at the University. While on campus, OCR hosted two community meetings, both of which were open to students, faculty and staff.

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For Michelle Goode, OHP’s health promotion specialist focused on sexual and relationship violence prevention, the decision to focus on sexual health is one that “Everyone wants to learn more about but has historically been taboo. Sex and sexuality are normal and natural parts of everyone’s life and there are so many ways that someone can have healthy expressions of sexual health.” Frisky February is all about getting “sex-positive messaging out, since sexual health is a topic that is not talked about much,” says Goode.

One of the events that will help get sex-positive messaging out is Sex in the Dark on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Grant Auditorium. Sex in the Dark is a glow in the dark-themed sexual health panel discussion with “sexperts” from the Syracuse University community. Students can get ready to glow in neon swag during this event as well!

“We are really excited to host this event and hope that students will feel more comfortable with the lights out to learn more about any sex questions they have not been able to ask before,” says Goode.

On why now is the right time to engage the campus community with Frisky February, Kristelle Aisaka, the OHP’s health promotion specialist focused on mental health says, “Frisky February helps us to bridge a gap and talk about sex, sexuality and sexual health in a fun and positive way, while making sure that students have access to the accurate and important health knowledge they need to have safe, healthy and enjoyable sexual experiences, when or if they choose to.”

Although OHP is one of the major organizers of Frisky February, it’s a community effort. The student organizations, community partners and offices that are partnering to hold different events, including ACR Health, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Tau Omega, Bedsider, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Femme Noire, Health Services, Onondaga County Health Department, Orange After Dark, SASSE, Sex S.Y.M.B.A.L.S. and SUNY Upstate Medical University, are all contributing to bridge the knowledge gap.

For Aisaka, Frisky February is just the beginning. “This is a first step in building longer-lasting collaborative relationships with organizations, offices and departments across campus so that we can have more ongoing education and outreach related to sexual health,” she says.

For a full listing of all the events, check out the Sexual Health Awareness Month calendar.

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