Mandatory Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 10:17:46 -0500

Dear Members of the UMBC Community,

We are writing to update you on the implementation of mandatory Title IX/sexual misconduct awareness and prevention training that is required of all faculty, staff, and students. These required training activities expand on those already underway at UMBC.

Based on recommendations from the UMBC community, and consistent with recent changes in Maryland State law, all employees will now undergo in-person training on sexual misconduct prevention and response. All faculty and staff will also be required to complete a complementary online training module.

In response to recommendations made by students, campus leaders and consultants will also be working with the student advisory committee to develop comprehensive mandatory training for all UMBC students on sexual misconduct awareness and prevention, to supplement the training they receive during orientation and other campus programs. We will continue to update the UMBC community as the plan for the training of students is developed and implemented.

Mandatory, in-person training for faculty, staff, graduate assistants, and student leaders is scheduled as follows:

Group 1: All academic, administrative, and student leaders will undergo training on December 6, 2018 (2 sessions).
Group 2: All remaining Responsible Employees will undergo training on one of the following days: January 16, 17, 22, and 23, 2019 (13 sessions, including one evening session).
Group 3: All remaining employees will undergo training on either May 20 or May 21, 2019 (6 sessions).

All employees will soon receive a personal email containing information on which group they belong to and instructions describing how to sign up for one of the appropriate face-to-face training sessions.

Each face-to-face educational/training session will address the following topics:

Fostering an educational environment free from discrimination and harassment

Promoting a safer, more caring environment for all members of the UMBC community

Understanding the history and context of Title IX and the Clery Act

Understanding University policies and procedures for reporting, investigating, and responding to sexual and gender-based harassment and violence

Understanding campus and community resources to support reporting parties and responding parties

Understanding the difference between confidential resources and reporting options on campus and in the community

Identifying, preventing, and responding to sexual and gender-based harassment, discrimination and violence, dating and domestic violence, and stalking

Understanding reporting expectations for University employees

Responding effectively and with care to individuals who disclose that they have experienced sexual violence

In addition to the face-to-face trainings, all faculty and staff are required to complete mandatory online training. The online training module, “Not Anymore for Employees,” will take about 30 minutes and must be completed within 60 days. A link to the training will be sent separately. This online training is designed for employees in higher education institutions to help them better understand Title IX and their roles as they relate to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct. It includes UMBC-specific policies and procedures, resources, and information on how each of us can support and appropriately care for our fellow community members.

Thanks to the Training Implementation Team for their hard work in rolling out the trainings:

Sarah Shin, Chair, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

Lisa Akchin, Associate Vice President, Engagement

David Gleason, General Counsel

Bobbie L. Hoye, Associate General Counsel/Title IX Coordinator

Kevin Joseph, Senior Director, Business Intelligence, Division of Information Technology

Jess Myers, Director, Women’s Center

Jacki Stone, Community Health and Safety Specialist, Division of Student Affairs

Laura Ting, Associate Professor of Social Work

Jill Wardell, Director, Workplace Learning and Wellness

Aliya Webermann, Clinical and Community Psychology Doctoral Student

Additional student representative to be appointed by the Student Advisory Committee

These mandatory trainings are one aspect of Retriever Courage, a holistic campus effort to create a safer, more caring environment for all members of our UMBC community. Each of us has a role to play in this important work and we want to thank you for your partnership.

Freeman Hrabowski, President
Philip Rous, Provost
Adam Harvey, University Steering Committee Chair
Sarah Shin, Training Implementation Team Chair and Associate Provost for Academic Affairs