Update on Title IX Office
The following announcement was e-mailed to faculty and staff from the Office of the Provost on Jan. 22 on behalf of Kami Chavis, associate provost for academic initiatives, associate vice president and professor of law:
Good morning, Wake Forest faculty and staff,
Late in 2019, Wake Forest announced that Tanya Jachimiak, Director of the Title IX Office/Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator, had agreed to become Associate Vice President for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance at Michigan State University. Tanya has been a respected and cherished member of our campus community for over six years; her professionalism, integrity, and commitment to fairness are the hallmarks of her legacy. She has played a central role in the university’s efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault, and it is vital that we hire a knowledgeable and equity-minded leader to assume these responsibilities. The university has engaged Isaacson, Miller to assist with this important search.
Categories: Inside WFU, University Announcement
A message from President Hatch
President Nathan Hatch emailed this message to students, faculty and staff on July 31:
Dear Wake Forest University Community,
Wake Forest University is wrestling with its own complex history, and as an educational institution is committed to: seeking and understanding the truth; acknowledging the full complexity of our history; and taking action to address past and present inequities in our community.
We have heard the concerns of members of our community regarding race, inequity and the lived experiences of some of our students, staff and faculty. While there is no easy solution or quick fix to address those concerns, there must be constant and intentional movement toward improving the Wake Forest experience for all – especially those who contend with bias and prejudice all too frequently. Toward that end, I am establishing the President’s Commission on Race, Equity and Community, one part of a larger institutional effort to illuminate our history, address our present and reaffirm our commitments for the future. Even as the Commission is assembling, other campus-wide committees are delving into the topics of slavery, race and memory, as well as bias, conduct and free expression. Additional training and educational opportunities have also been designed and implemented across campus, including unconscious bias training for student leaders and enhanced programming for incoming students during Orientation Week.
Categories: University Announcement
Newly reconstituted review committee formed for Code of Conduct for students
On Feb. 6, the Division of Campus Life announced a new development in its revision process for the Code of Conduct for students. Matt Clifford, associate dean of students, emailed this announcement to undergraduate students:
As a reminder, this year, the Wake Forest community has an important opportunity to contribute to and shape the Code of Conduct. In the fall, our office engaged the community in a period of public review and comment on suggested revisions to the Code. During the period, we received 42 comments, held six public listening sessions, and attended numerous other meetings with students, faculty, and staff.
This spring, a newly reconstituted review committee will consider comments that have been submitted and make recommendations for a final document. During the comment process, I heard the desire to have more faculty and student voices on the group. Our new group is composed of five students, five faculty, and four staff. I am pleased to share that the following individuals have agreed to serve on the Code of Conduct Review Committee:
- Virginia Hamilton, student
- Lizzy Woods, student
- Isabella Ryan, student
- Phillip Yurchenko, student
- Maria Cortez-Perez, student
- John Dinan, faculty
- Erica Still, faculty
- Rian Bowie, faculty
- Michael Pisapia, faculty
- Pat Lord, faculty
- José Villalba, staff
- Tanya Jachimiak, staff
- Matt Clifford, staff, chair, ex-officio
- Adam Goldstein, staff, ex-officio
The committee’s work will focus on the primary areas where feedback was offered. Our goal will be to understand the principles that have been shared in comments and find a balance that supports our community’s values and ideals.
As always, our website is the primary source of information about the revision. If you have any questions about this process, please contact me at cliffomw@wfu.edu.
Matt Clifford,
Associate Dean of Students, Student Conduct
Categories: Inside WFU
Title IX Office: Wake Forest's commitment to addressing sexual harassment, misconduct
This is a guest post from Tanya Jachimiak, Director of the University’s Title IX Office and Title IX Coordinator. In the post, Tanya Jachimiak offers information on the comprehensive effort at Wake Forest to create and implement a strategic plan for preventing sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct at Wake Forest. For more information about the Title IX Office, visit here.
Culture of Respect Prevention Framework
As part of Wake Forest’s ongoing commitment to addressing sexual harassment and misconduct on campus (including workplace harassment) — through the Division of Campus Life — Wake Forest is a member of the NASPA Culture of Respect Collective (CORE). The CORE initiative is a strategic planning process grounded in a comprehensive, evidenced based, ongoing self-assessment. The initiative is co-led by the Title IX Office and the Safe Office.
A key component to the CORE’s success is its emphasis on cross-campus collaboration. Building off of the work initiated by the Sexual Misconduct Prevention, Policy, and Resource Team, the CORE Campus Leadership Team (CLT) — comprised of Wake Forest faculty, staff, and students — spearheads Wake Forest’s participation in this initiative. Currently, there are over 50 members on the CLT who actively contribute to creating and implementing a strategic plan for preventing sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct on the Wake Forest campus.
Title IX Office’s Sexual Misconduct Prevention Programs
The following is an overview of the Title IX Office’s ongoing prevention programming concerning issues of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence and domestic violence.
New Hire Employee Training
Intersections: Preventing Harassment & Sexual Violence: All new employees, including temporary, part-time employees, are required to complete the online program Intersections: Preventing Harassment & Sexual Violence within 60 days of their respective hire dates. The course takes about one hour to complete, and is divided into the following main sections: avoiding unlawful sexual harassment, avoiding abusive behavior, protecting students, crimes and conduct violations, and employee roles and responsibilities. There is an advanced section of this course for supervisors.
Ongoing Employee Training
Bridges, Taking Action: This online course builds upon the knowledge gained through Intersections and includes a more in-depth review of inappropriate workplace behavior through the use of examples as applied under University policies. As with Intersections, there is a supervisor version of this course.
How We Can Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: How We Can Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace is an in-person, interactive workshop conducted by the Title IX Office. Employees learn what behaviors constitute sexual misconduct and create a hostile environment; gain an understanding of how to become an effective bystander; and become familiar with the avenues available to report sexual harassment as well as to receive support. As with the Title IX Office online trainings, quizzes as well as pre-and post-assessments are utilized to monitor effectiveness. This workshop is available by request and is also offered annually through the PDC.
Stop, Drop and Roll: A Framework for Responding to Disclosures: Stop, Drop and Roll is an in-person, interactive workshop conducted by the Title IX Office in collaboration with the Safe Office. The workshop provides faculty, staff and student employees with information and skills to effectively respond to disclosures of sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct with care and confidence while also fulfilling mandated reporting requirements. Attendees engage in role play and active listening activities. This workshop is available by request and is also offered annually through the PDC.
Sexual Assault Prevention for Athletic Staff: Under the NCAA rules, all Athletic Department staff are required to complete sexual misconduct prevention training. To meet this requirement (and in addition to the in-person training), the Title IX Office administers an online program entitled Sexual Assault Prevention for Athletic Staff. This online course covers issues related to sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, sexual harassment, hazing, and bullying. The course reinforces staff members’ commitment to combatting sexual misconduct and utilizes sports-related case studies.
Categories: Guest Post, Inside WFU
A message from Vice President Penny Rue and Title IX Coordinator Tanya Jachimiak
This message was emailed to students, faculty and staff on Sept. 22 on behalf of Vice President Penny Rue and Title IX Coordinator Tanya Jachimiak by Communications and External Relations:
Wake Forest University is carefully reviewing the ‘interim guidance’ on campus sexual misconduct released by the Department of Education today. Our student sexual misconduct policy remains in place as we study the Q&A and await formal guidance following the rulemaking process.
The Division of Campus Life and Title IX Office invite all students, faculty and staff to attend a Title IX forum on Wednesday, October 4, at 5:15 p.m. in Annenburg Forum.
The safety and wellbeing of our campus community is our highest priority. As such, our commitment to preventing and responding to campus sexual assault remains unwavering.
Sincerely,
Penny Rue
Vice President for Campus Life
Tanya Jachimiak
Title IX Coordinator
Categories: University Announcement
