Meeting Summaries

Summaries of meetings of the Chancellor's Sexual Assault Task Force (SATF).

SATF Agenda

September 26, 2014 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened for the first time at 11:00 a.m. on September 26th. During the meeting, Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little presented her charges to the task force. The members introduced themselves to one another and talk about their experience with this subject. The co-chairs laid out their goals for the committee and the group was split into subcommittees, including: KU Policy, Research and Prevention, Student Policy and Survivor Support.

SATF Agenda

October 17, 2014 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on October 17th. Much of the session was closed due to a confidential discussion with Rachel Rolf of KU General Counsel. The task force agreed upon the structure of meetings for the remainder of the year and made assignments for each subcommittee.

SATF Agenda

October 24, 2014 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on October 24th. During the meeting the task force discussed the issue of jurisdiction on and off campus. The group decided that the language defining appropriate jurisdiction on and off campus should be clarified and/or strengthened in the Student Code of Conduct. The group feels that the Faculty Senate Code of Conduct should also be revised with regards to language about sexual assault. Additionally, the group would like to move toward a more universal understanding of Title IX’s role in off campus events.

Chancellor Gray-Little visited the meeting and provided updated information. She shared with the group that the university hired Sarah Jane Russell, formerly with the GaDuGi SafeCenter, as the temporary CARE coordinator, an advocate position. Russell was brought on to handle increased numbers of assault reporting. Senior Vice Provost Sara Rosen has been working with Tammara Durham, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, and Ann Cudd, Vice Provost & Dean of Undergraduate Studies, to create ideas for reinforcing existing educational programs and taking a more holistic approach. The Chancellor and the task force are keeping an eye on other universities’ responses to sexual assault and prevention tools, as national dialogue on campus sexual assault continues.

SATF Agenda

November 7, 2014 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Provost Conference Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on November 7th. Joan Schultz, Executive Director of the Willow Domestic Violence Center, and Chrissy Heikkilakila, Executive Director of the GaDuGi Safe Center, joined the task force to describe the organizations’ purposes, efforts, and relationships with the university. Willow Domestic Violence Center has served the community since 1976 and offers court advocacy, peer counseling, shelter, and educational opportunities, specifically about dating violence. Willow works to protect survivor confidentiality and provide 24/7 resources. In the future, the center wants to set up a student support group on campus staffed by their experts. Willow suggested that the student’s experience be streamlined, warm, without barriers, and available all hours of the day. The Willow Domestic Violence Center and GaDuGi SafeCenter recommend a Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies and KU in order to establish roles in addressing sexual assault on campus.

SATF Agenda

November 21, 2014 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Provost Conference Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on November 7th. The committee came to a consensus that it will recommend a Memorandum of Understanding between the University, GaDuGi, and Willow Domestic Violence Center based on last meeting’s presentations. One proposed change would include having any employee of KU call GaDuGi for an advocate when a student discloses a sexual assault. The group also hopes to re-visit the role of the newly-formed Care Coordinator on campus.

After discussion surrounding prominent cases currently in the media, the group worked to come up with solutions based on the conversation taking place nationally. Suggestions and recommendations submitted to the Task Force email account were also shared amongst the group.

The Student Policy Subcommittee drafted verbiage for proposed changed to the student code. This includes changes to the definition of consent and jurisdiction for harassment off-campus. Members of the student senate will propose these changes to the rest of the group on Dec. 8. The language for consent could also become a recommendation for a change in the university’s policy under IOA.

SATF Agenda

December 5, 2014 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on December 5th. The Student Policy Subcommittee submitted verbiage for proposed changed to the student code. This includes changes to the definition of consent and jurisdiction for harassment off-campus. After receiving approval from the rest of the Task Force, the drafted legislation was passed to the Chancellor for review. Members of the student senate will propose these changes to the full s on Dec. 8.

Discussion continued regarding securing an MOU with community partners Willow and GaDuGi. Select members of the committee will be touring Willow next week to gather more information on needs or wants of the shelter. The task force also discussed how best to secure stronger relations between the university and Lawrence Police Department. After subcommittee group work and brief updates, the task force adjourned for the Fall Semester.

SATF Agenda

January 23, 2015 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on January 23rd. Jane McQueeny, Executive Director of Institutional Opportunity & Access (IOA) gave a presentation on the office’s mission. She went through the process of investigations for sexual assaults and what services are currently provided for the KU Community. The task force discussed with her the struggle of having her office in charge of both investigation and prevention, but McQueeny said they are best equipped on campus for both. Each subcommittee also gave an update during the meeting.

SATF Agenda

February 6, 2015 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on February 6th. The task force discussed the IOA presentation from the previous meeting and what they think might need to be changed in the office going forward. Afterward, the group broke out into subcommittees to continue researching their recommendations.

SATF Agenda

February 20, 2015 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on February 20th. Tammara Durham, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, and Joshua Jones, Student Conduct and Community Standards Coordinator, gave a presentation on the conduct process that takes place through the Office of Student Affairs. Durham explained how KU is unique in that academic and non-academic issues are adjudicated separately and spoke on the makeup of each hearing board and what a hearing process may look like. They spoke to the members about directional changes they have already seen take place and about what changes they would like to see moving forward. There was also an update from members who attended the Rewriting Our Social Fabric Conference.

SATF Agenda

March 6, 2015 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on March 6th. The task force discussed the Office of Student Affairs presentation from the previous meeting and what they think might need to be changed in the office going forward. The rest of the session was an executive working section and was confidential.

SATF Agenda

March 27, 2015 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on March 27th. The session was an executive working section to work on draft recommendations, and was confidential.

SATF Agenda

April 3, 2015 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on April 3rd. The session was an executive working section to work on draft recommendations, and was confidential.

SATF Agenda

April 17, 2015 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on April 17th. The session was an executive working section to work on draft recommendations, and was confidential.

SATF Agenda

April 24, 2015 (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 11:00 a.m. on April 24th. The session was an executive working section to work on draft recommendations, and was confidential.

SATF Agenda

May 1, 2015 (1:00 p.m.)

Regents Room

The Sexual Assault Task Force convened at 1:00 p.m. on May 1. It presented the final report to Chancellor Gray-Little and Provost Vitter.