The university created the Civil Rights Office and Title IX following a recommendation in the Husch Blackwell report, which outlined the university’s shortcomings in handling Title IX cases.
Interim President Thomas Galligan has named former Vice Vice President Jane Cassidy as Interim Vice President for Civil Rights and Title IX. Cassidy announced in an email on Monday that the new office would use the guidelines contained in the Husch Blackwell report to improve the university’s Title IX system.
“We now know with great clarity that our system of mutual protection against sexual harassment and violence has failed, and we must act quickly to fix the problem,” states the report and is inclusive in our work be transparent. “
An LSU employee charged with punishing students charged with sexual assault and rape at LSU allegedly imposed the “lowest possible sanctions”.
Cassidy previously held positions at the university including Roy and Margaret Gianelloni, Professor of Music Education, and Senior Vice Provost.
Galligan asked Cassidy, before the Hush Blackwell report was published, if she would consider taking the position for the office he had created, which did not surprise her.
“In my other position, I knew they were going to create some kind of office,” said Cassidy. “I knew this was a problem. I think it was boiling for a while.”
The Office for Citizens’ Rights and Title IX will not only be concerned with reshaping the current policies and procedures of Title IX of the university. All cases are also dealt with in which behavior is classified as discriminatory.
“It will consolidate all reports and investigations into sexual harassment and violence. It will all happen in all cases involving civil rights discrimination, ADA complaints and any kind of discriminatory behavior, ”said Cassidy. “Title IX is a big chunk of it and that’s in the spotlight right now, but there are other things that will be here as well.”
While the university is unable to fill a permanent position in senior administration without looking for the most suitable candidate, it can put someone in a temporary role. Cassidy believes the selected candidate will be informed of the legal aspects related to civil rights issues.
“I would expect the person who is in this office full time to be someone who is a civil rights attorney, someone whose entire career has been focused on civil rights and discrimination law,” Cassidy said. “That’s a lot of what goes through this office. I’ve been on campus for a long time and in administration for a while to get things rolling and then they can hire someone who can be here full time and has the legal background to get the job done. “
Hush Blackwell made 18 recommendations in his published report on how the university can improve its Title IX guidelines, and Cassidy said it intends to fully follow each of these remaining recommendations.
“Since the report was released, the President and his staff have ticked some of those boxes,” Cassidy said. “We’ll take care of all 18 of these recommendations. We’re going to make sure our selves are spotted and our T is crossed. “
The office does not have a permanent location on campus. The search for space on campus has already begun and Cassidy hopes to have more information on the new location in the coming weeks.
“Right now we’re in the university administration building,” said Cassidy. “I think I’ve found some space in the quad and we’ll announce that in the next two weeks and hopefully move in there within a month.”
The office currently has two employees along with Cassidy. Cassidy hopes to increase the number of employees to better implement Husch Blackwell’s recommendations.
“If not by the end of the week, there will be open positions for another investigator, case manager and administrative assistant by Monday,” Cassidy said. “We’ll probably employ six to eight people.”
Husch Blackwell noted that current university-authored training on sexual assault is inadequate and that reform of that training has already begun with support from the non-profit STAR (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response), according to Cassidy.
“We’ll do it. We pulled together [STAR] to review all of our training, ”said Cassidy. “I believe your report will be with us on June 30th, which will give us time to reevaluate and, with the help of STAR, get new training that is better for everyone.”
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Some students were upset by the university’s decision to suspend Assistant Sports Director Verge Ausberry for 30 days without pay and Senior Associate Athletic Director Miriam Segar for 21 days without pay, saying that the two officials said the two officials were involved in the cover-up Sexuality should be terminated on allegations of assault. Cassidy said that from now on, all responsibilities regarding reporting Title IX cases will be clear, as will punishment for anyone who does not follow these guidelines.
“We will have very clear expectations of the reporting lines. Everyone is trained, “said Cassidy.” There will be clear sanctions, and what they could be, up to expulsion for a student and up to dismissal for a faculty or staff. We’re going to make sure people know if they’re not doing what they’re supposed to be doing, there will be punishment. “
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