Title IX Resources for Students
Dear Baylor Students:
As I read the headlines and the heartbreaking accounts from Cornell University and was asked about this on several occasions this week at a national conference of business leaders, I am reminded of Baylor University’s own history and the importance of remaining vigilant in our commitment to confront and eliminate sex-based misconduct and interpersonal violence in our campus community.
A decade ago, Baylor initiated an external investigation in response to concerns about how the University addressed incidents of sexual violence. In May 2016, Baylor publicly acknowledged systemic failures and engaged in widespread reforms to address the gaps and challenges identified, shift culture and climate, and ensure our responses to reports of sex-based misconduct and interpersonal violence were both compassionate and legally compliant.
The University enacted leadership changes at the highest levels and broadly implemented new policies, processes and procedures to fulfill each of the 105 recommendations made by the external investigators. In November 2017, we released an extensive report detailing our implementation of those recommendations, which spanned all aspects of the University’s efforts to prevent and respond to reports of sexual assault and interpersonal violence.
Over the past 10 years, we have continued to invest in our Title IX and Clery Act programs to ensure we are fulfilling the commitments we made to our students then – and that we recommit to you again now.
Sex-based misconduct and interpersonal violence have no place in our society or at Baylor.
Our goal is a living, learning and working environment free from sex-based misconduct and interpersonal violence. We strive to achieve that goal through coordinated prevention and education programming that begins the first week our first-year students step foot on campus. We work diligently to reduce or remove barriers to reporting by ensuring all students, faculty and staff are familiar with their reporting options and know that supportive measures and campus resources are available when needed. And we respond to all reports of misconduct in a manner that seeks to respect individual agency and autonomy while reinforcing accountability and the safety and security of all campus community members.
Our Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office – one of the largest and best resourced in the country – is home to our Title IX program, and the dedicated professionals within the office are fully committed to serving our campus community with integrity, care and in accordance with our federal civil rights obligations. The office is available to all students, faculty and staff to access support and resources, understand and participate in resolution processes to address reports of misconduct, and participate in educational programs on a regular basis.
Anyone who has experienced or is aware of misconduct is strongly encouraged to report their concerns through the University’s various reporting avenues, which include anonymous options. Students also can use the ReportIt website, speak to confidential resources like the Baylor Counseling Center, Health Center and the University Chaplain, or directly contact the Office of Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX or Baylor University Police Department.
Our efforts are not static but continually evolving, and they are not limited to the Office of Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX. They are a University-wide responsibility. Over the past decade, Baylor has made great strides in training and education for all students, faculty and staff to improve awareness, prevention and response to sex-based misconduct and interpersonal violence reports and incidents. Our work will never be done.
As an institution committed to self-assessment and continuous improvement, we will continue to ask the hard questions about how we can do better. We will continue to invest resources, personnel and institutional attention, and we will make changes where needed. Please continue to report your concerns and do your part as a member of the Baylor Family to care for one another.
Recent events nationwide remind us to be ever-vigilant and steadfast in our effort to prevent such harm from occurring in our campus community. The University is unwavering in our commitment to you – our students. We will continue to educate, train and respond appropriately to sexual assault and interpersonal violence and will work continuously to fulfill our Christian mission to ensure a safe, supportive and caring campus for all students.
Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President