The Director of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator manages the institution’s compliance with Title IX, Title VII, Title VI, ADA, Rehabilitation Act Section 504, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and other state and federal laws relating to discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking.
The Director is responsible for supervising and conducting intake of complaints of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct. The Director, in consultation where necessary with the Office of the Provost and other offices, determines whether formal or informal resolutions are appropriate, and when necessary, supervises and conducts investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct involving students, staff, and faculty.
This person will report to the Vice President for Inclusion, coordinate closely on a day-to-day basis with the General Counsel, work closely with other members of institution leadership, and collaborate as needed with Deputy Title IX Coordinators, the Office of Student Conduct and other offices with the Division of Student Life, the Office of Human Resources, the Office of the Provost, the Division of Inclusion, and the Department of Public Safety.
This is a significant opportunity to support a diverse student body and workforce and participate in the institution’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming educational and working environment.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Institutional Monitoring and Compliance Relating to Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation, and Sexual Misconduct
- As Title IX Coordinator, ensure that policies, procedures, and practices regarding sex discrimination and harassment and sexual misconduct comply with Title IX, other federal laws related to Title IX and sexual misconduct on campus (e.g., the Violence Against Women Act and the Campus Sexual Assault and Violence Elimination (SaVE) Act), and any applicable state law; ensure that policies and processes reflect best practices in the field.
- Ensure that complaints, reports, and investigations of all forms of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct are handled in accordance with institution policies and processes and through prompt, fair, and impartial practices and standards. This includes the receipt, evaluation, investigation, and resolution of complaints, as well as training of those involved in investigations and adjudication.
- Collaborate with enterprise risk management on all relevant matters.
- Maintain the institution’s policies and processes regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct, as well as reviewing and revising the internal processes and practices for the investigation and adjudication of these issues.
- Facilitate coordination and collaboration with and among institution offices – including but not limited student life, human resources, the provost, accessibility services, and campus safety – on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct issues. Collaborate with groups and offices on campus to build relationships that serve as the foundation for cooperation and open dialogue with and among students, faculty, and staff.
- Coordinate compliance with the ADA/Section 504 in collaboration with human resources, accessibility services, facilities, and campus planning. Monitor compliance with state and federal laws regarding accessibility, and handle grievances relating to accommodations process or disability discrimination/harassment.
- Monitor compliance with the College’s athletic-related Title IX obligations and oversee any necessary remedial measures.
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with Title IX coordinators at neighboring campuses, with the goal of facilitating and promoting joint training and prevention efforts.
- Serve as institutional representative on Title IX, discrimination, and sexual misconduct related matters, including in communications with government officials.
- Maintain records and reports in accordance with the law and institution policies including coordination and assisting public safety on Clery Act-related matters.
Oversee Investigations and Adjudications
- Responsible for supervising and conducting intake of alleged discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct.
- Conduct investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct involving students, staff and faculty and/or supervise the work of internal investigators.
- Coordinate as needed with human resources, the provost, and the dean of students. Identify and manage outside investigators, when needed.
- Determine whether informal resolutions such as mediation are appropriate in any given matter. Mediate conflicts regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct, when appropriate.
- Coordinate support for students involved in sexual misconduct cases on other campuses.
- Oversee the adjudication processes of policies related to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
- Maintain records in accordance with the law and institutional policies.
Education, Prevention, and Outreach
- Provide information to students, faculty, and staff regarding their rights and responsibilities with regard to sexual misconduct and the institution’s Title IX policy and process as well as all issues of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation including information about the resources available on and off campus, how to access these resources, and policies and processes.
- Work to ensure an equitable and welcoming campus climate by leading, supporting, and communicating regularly with the College community about the institution’s discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct program, including prevention efforts. Effectively collaborate with students, faculty, and staff working on such efforts.
- Conduct, oversee, or coordinate training for students, faculty, and staff about the institution’s nondiscrimination policies and grievance procedures, including all issues of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, sexual misconduct prevention efforts, and its Title IX program as a whole.
- Partner with multiple units on education initiatives to support students who have been impacted by discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual misconduct or who are involved in grievance processes.
Management and Supervision
- Manage and supervise the work of one or more Deputy Title IX Coordinators.
- Supervise the work of outside investigators, decision makers, and hearing officers
Assessment and Reporting
- Lead periodic review of all complaints/reports of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct and, in coordination with the appropriate institution offices (e.g., student life, human resources, and public safety), identify and address any patterns/systemic issues.
- In collaboration with institutional research and with students, faculty, and staff, coordinate and/or oversee the development and implementation of any assessments (e.g., surveys) of campus climate and policies and procedures to address discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct.
- Utilize, review, and assess findings to enhance the effectiveness of the institution’s policies, compliance, and education efforts around discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct and address the need for modifying policies.
- Maintain, analyze, and report on data related to the reports, complaints, and investigations related to various forms of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct on campus.
Collaboration on Equity and Inclusion
- Work with the Vice President for Inclusion and the Inclusion team and key campus partners to advance projects and initiatives that advance equity and inclusion for the entire institution.
- In collaboration with the Vice President for Inclusion and key campus partners, lead campus committees and working groups related to bias and discrimination.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Comprehensive knowledge of current state and federal law and regulations—as well as identified best practices and trends in the field of education—related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, disabilities, and sexual misconduct on college campuses.
- Understanding of the recent developments regarding sexual misconduct on campus impacting campuses across the country.
- Excellent administrative experience including written and oral communication, presentation skills, and the ability to efficiently manage a robust caseload while effectively resolving cases of alleged discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
- Must be able to recommend and/or effect changes to policies, to revise practices, and to implement equitable procedures across many departments, including the academic division, student life, athletics, and human resources.
- The ability to navigate tensions between academic freedom and compliance with the institution’s legal requirements with sophistication and diplomacy.
- Capable of effectively conveying complicated and sensitive information to diverse audiences.
- Professionalism, decorum, and diplomacy in all interactions, with the ability to engage others with respect and empathy, in line with the institution’s mission and values.
- Sound judgment, objectivity, and integrity.
- Talent for listening and facilitating difficult conversations; conduct educational conversations with students.
- Facility with trauma-informed practices.
- Ability to prepare and present detailed reports, educational programs, training, and assessments. Excellent problem-solving, conflict resolution, planning, and project management skills.
- Ability to build rapport, work collaboratively with, and navigate complex issues across constituencies on and off campus, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
- Ability to thrive in a team environment.
- Cultural competence and sensitivity to the concerns and needs of diverse student, faculty, and staff populations.
- Understanding of the residential liberal arts college experience and a passion to work collaboratively within a highly consultative campus culture.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Experience and Knowledge:
● Bachelor’s degree, required. An advanced degree in a relevant field such as law, higher education, or other related field, preferred.
● Minimum five years of significant Title IX, non-discrimination, ADA/504 or related experience, required.
● Knowledgeable of current state and federal anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws and regulations.
● Ability to provide leadership in the development of institution-specific policies and procedures.
● Able to demonstrate effectiveness in building professional working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
● Knowledge of best practices and trends in the field of higher education related to creating an equitable and just campus.
● Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
● Experience successfully working with confidential and sensitive information.
WORKING CONDITIONS and PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
● Able to sit and/or stand throughout entire work time
● Able to climb stairs, lift, bend and carry up to 20 lbs. without assistance
● Able to independently travel to various locations, both on and off campus
● Able to work irregular and extended hours as necessary to achieve objectives
Please provide a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. http://apply.interfolio.com/158741
Lafayette College is committed to creating a diverse community: one that is inclusive and responsive, and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. The College seeks to promote diversity in its many manifestations. These include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and place of origin. All members of the College community share a responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced.