Mustang News reporter Ari Lopez brings you the top stories from this week…
Tag: Title IX
Cal Poly’s discrimination and harassment policies are under review. Here’s how to give your input
A law firm hired to do a Title IX assessment across all 23 CSU campuses is holding open forums at Cal Poly this week to gain input from students, faculty and staff. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any academic environment that receives federal funding and requires schools to implement […]
Chief of Police and Clery Director respond to students’ fears following recent sexual assaults
Editor’s note: This story discusses themes including sexual violence. Environmental management and protection freshman Lauren Tillotson was shocked to receive the first Clery Act notification in her inbox on Oct. 5, which notified students of a rape in Architecture Graveyard. Within a week, a second email arrived with news of another on-campus sexual assault. “It […]
Second on-campus rape reported in one week
A second on-campus rape was reported this week, according to a campus-wide email sent late last night. The rape occurred in University Housing in Poly Canyon Village Apartments and was reported to the university Sunday. The rape occurred early Sunday morning between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m., according to University Spokesperson Matt Lazier. Law enforcement […]
Students and faculty petition to rescind offer to new VP Diversity and Inclusion
In a campus-wide email on July 1, President Armstrong announced the addition of Russell to Cal Poly’s senior leadership team. Cal Poly students and staff have expressed concern due to Russell’s previous position as Title IX coordinator at MSU during Nassar’s sexual assaults.
Five changes to Title IX
The U.S. Department of Education finalized its Title IX regulations, which dictate how campuses must process sexual assault and harassment reports. Universities will have to abide by these new regulations starting August 14. These new regulations were first introduced in November 2018. Since then, the department’s Office for Civil Rights reviewed more than 124,000 public […]
New Title IX regulations step in the wrong direction for Cal Poly
Grace Kitayama is a journalism sophomore and Mustang News columnist. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang News. The Department of Education has enacted new Title IX regulations that aim to strengthen protections for survivors. They also define sexual harassment and sexual assault as unlawful sex discrimination. Yet, under the new regulations, […]
Psychology professor sentenced to five years probation — more than a year after taking photos up a colleague’s skirt
Cal Poly psychology and child development professor Jason Williams was sentenced to five years of probation and fined $221 for using his cell phone to take photos up a colleague’s skirt in May 2018. Court documents show officials have the right to search through the defendant’s electronic devices and his residence. He was also served […]
A senior turned her story into a sexual assault investigation of 61 student survivors
In 1995, Safer — an on-campus confidential advocacy, education and support program concerning sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking — painted red hands at reported sexual assault locations and started the Red Handprint campaign. Twenty-three red handprints appeared in buildings, residence halls and other places on campus. In 2005, University Housing […]
Caught in a changing system: A survivor’s story after her perpetrator is allowed to re-enroll at Cal Poly
Editor’s note: An animal science senior who wishes to remain anonymous will be referred to as Jane Roe for the purpose of the story. The accused assailant will be referred to as he/him. Jane Roe said she was raped as a freshman in her residence hall room. She filed a complaint with Title IX. The […]
Cal Poly launches tool to connect sexual assault survivors with local resources and take action
Cal Poly and several community partners unveiled a new resource for sexual assault survivors, assisting them in anonymously gathering information, exploring local services and reporting the crime when they are ready. In Seek Then Speak, Survivors are guided through a series of questions to determine the best options to get assistance. The free program is designed […]