A 14-member workgroup charged with reviewing and revising campus sex-offense regulations drafted a new sexual assault policy late last month.
Revisions articulate proper protocol for reporting and responding to sexual-offense cases as well as jurisdiction rights and available resources for both victims and accused students. According to Office of Sexual Harassment Prevention and Policy Director Lori Chamberlain, redrafting was commissioned to increase student confidence in the policy, encourage crime reporting, and to reassure the campus community that cases will be handled thoroughly and fairly.’ ‘
Chamberlain said that the revised policy ‘mdash; a 15-page expansion of a four-page University of California sexual-harassment policy and a six-page UCSD complaint resolution policy ‘mdash; also lays out resources available to sexual assault victims through the UCSD Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention Resource Center.
Similar to the prior version, the new draft provides formal options for addressing sex-offense reports ‘mdash;’ such as a hearing process that protects both complainant rights and the rights of the accused ‘mdash; and alternative, more casual approaches to resolution, including an option for voluntary agreement between the parties, reached with the assistance of an administrator trained in the field.
However, in the new policy, resolutions reached using alternative methods would not result in a disciplinary record, suspension or dismissal from the university.
The new policy also draws a line between sexual misconduct and sexual assault committed with intent, and encourages victims and witnesses to come to officials by promising that alcohol and drug violations will not typically be pursued against the victims.’ ‘
‘The board was there for one overarching purpose: to draft a new policy intended to increase the reporting of sexual harassment cases that had been previously deterred,’ Ruby Bhangoo, student advocate for the Associated Students and SAP committee member, said in an e-mail.
Commissioned by Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Penny Rue, the workgroup includes representatives from A.S., Graduate Student Association, the Council of Deans, Student Judicial Affairs, Psychological and Counseling Service, Campus Police and Student Legal Services.
The release of the university’s draft of the sex-offense policy follows two cases of on-campus sexual assault reported by students this academic year, although Student Policies and Judicial Affairs Director Tony Valladolid said the revised policy had no correlation to the recent events, citing the establishment of the committee early last year.
‘By and large, the current student conduct code defers to OSHPP and their policies and protocol relating to sexual harassment,’ Valladolid said. ‘It’s deficient. Penny’s hope is that by rewriting and expanding the policy, students as well as the campus community will better understand the policy objectives, and we can be more responsive and effective in dealing with sexual harassment on campus.’
Under the new regulations, case hearings are preceded by a fact-finding investigation, conducted and documented by OSHPP. After receiving OSHPP’s investigative report, the appropriate college dean and the director of SPJA decide if the case should proceed with a formal hearing.
The new policy will be examined by students, faculty and staff next week during informational and feedback sessions in Sixth College’s Dogg House, led by Sixth College Dean of Students James Stascavage.
After weighing recommended edits, the workgroup wi
ll send the policy draft to the UC Office of the President for review, followed by final approval from Rue and Chancellor Marye Anne Fox.’
Nancy Wahlig, the director of the Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention Resource Center, said the student-input period is crucial to drafting a well-received policy.
Chamberlain said she aims to have the policy finalized by the end of Spring Quarter, depending on the number of recommendations received at the forums as well as any edits made by UCOP.
Readers can contact Kimberly Cheng at [email protected].