Dear students, faculty, and staff,
The U.S. Secretary of Education today announced the intention to move away from the current Department of Education guidelines for how colleges and universities handle sexual harassment and sexual violence cases under the federal Title IX policy. Federal officials plan to launch a formal notice and comment process in preparation for revising their approach to Title IX enforcement.
UC Berkeley, like the Office of the President of the University of California, stands firmly in support of the profoundly important policies enacted in recent years that seek to ensure a more efficient and fair system for all parties in cases of sexual harassment and sexual violence. We want to assure you that the campus remains firmly committed to that ideal.
The campus also remains strongly committed to changing norms and culture to prevent violence and harassment from occurring in the first place and strengthening support for survivors. We will continue to build on this work and the path that has been created by many student leaders and activists, campus practitioners and administrators, and the many caring and committed members of our community.
It is important to note that Title IX still remains in effect, as do UC policies, state laws and other federal regulations that provide procedural protections and prohibit sexual harassment and sexual violence, including sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking. Campus community members and visitors can continue to turn to the Title IX Officer for information about their rights and options for addressing sexual misconduct, the PATH to Care Center for confidential survivor advocacy and resources, and to our central campus resources website for more information.
Every member of our university’s leadership team has an unwavering commitment to equality and equity across the rich diversity of genders, sexual identities, religions, abilities, ethnicities, and identities in our community. Those ideals underlie the original Title IX legislation. We have every intention of vigorously continuing our efforts to support, sustain and expand adherence to those values on this campus.
Sincerely,
Carol Christ
Chancellor
Sharon Inkelas
Special Faculty Advisor to the Chancellor on Sexual Violence/Sexual Harassment