Princeton Gives Sneak Peek to New Title IX Reality
In a town hall meeting, Princeton University talked about their new sexual harassment policies crafted to be in compliance with the Department of Education’s Title IX policies. Months ago, the Department of Education released Title IX regulations that critics have described as less protective of sexual assault victims.
Princeton now operates under a dual policy, where sexual assault and harassment that occurs within Princeton’s education program and is reported by current affiliates must be addressed under the Title IX policy. This excludes activities that occur outside Princeton’s jurisdiction — eating clubs, off-campus, and over internet resources — and certain behaviors like severe or pervasive harassment (as opposed to severe and pervasive under Title IX), and sexual exploitation (in-person or digital voyeurism), that must now be prosecuted under the University’s new Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Title IX now also requires Princeton to use live cross-examination in investigations, which critics have described as chilling for sexual assault victims. The Daily Princetonian reports that “if any complainant, respondent, or witness does not attend the hearing or refuses to be cross-examined, the panel cannot rely on any statement or information they provided in reaching a determination in the investigation.” Cases under the University Sexual Misconduct Policy will continue using written cross-examination, and in cases not between a student and an employee, the University may use an informal resolution process with the consent of all parties.
Princeton Title IX Coordinator Michelle Minter told students that “we have both less freedom to operate within the Title IX sphere, and on the other hand, the Department of Education has said that they don’t particularly care what we do outside of that arena,” The Daily Princetonian reports.
New York’s Restrictions Complicate Reopening Strategies
Cornell University has been forced to walk back promises to provide quarantine accommodations for in-person students due in part to New York’s travel restrictions with more than half of American states.
Early on in the pandemic response, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut agreed to work in tandem to develop quarantine regulations, including for people interested in travelling to the mid-Atlantic region. These three states combined happen to host half of the Ivy League.
Cornell is notable for committing to an in-person semester next fall. Cornell Vice President of Student and Campus Life Ryan Lombardi told students that “we’d really just encourage you to stay at your permanent residence until your state is lifted from the New York State travel advisory” if they cannot find off-campus arrangements on their own. Cornell reportedly tried and failed to negotiate with New York about reducing the length of the mandated quarantine.
Columbia University confirmed in a town hall that New York’s travel restrictions have complicated their reopening plans as well. Columbia Dean of Undergraduate Student Life Christine Kromm told students, “what our thinking looked like two weeks ago before the list was so extensive was really different.” Columbia students remain frustrated at Columbia’s inability to present clear guidance that complies with consistently changing regulations from Albany, Hartford, and Trenton.