Updates from the Educational Equity Office

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

Welcome back and welcome to the Class of 2023!

With the ever-changing Title IX landscape, Lafayette endeavors to remain up to date in implementing best practices for providing reporting options, policies and procedures, resources, and support for those in our community who have experienced sexual or gender-based harassment and/or sexual violence. The College also strives to communicate information about these options and processes in a transparent manner, while respecting the privacy of those involved in reporting or in the formal grievance process. As such, I am writing to share some important updates and information with our community.

The Educational Equity Office has received many inquiries regarding the number of reports received and the outcomes of sexual misconduct cases referred to the student conduct process. If you are interested in learning more about the number and types of reports received and the possible outcomes, click here to access the Educational Equity Office’s Annual Report.

I would also like to share a new initiative for supporting students: the Sexual Misconduct & Resources Training team: SM&RT faculty and staff will be available to meet with students to provide resource and support options. They will be considered “Private” employees, meaning they will only be required to share limited, non-identifying information with the college. SM&RT team members will be listed on the website at:  https://sash.lafayette.edu/get-help/talk-with-someone/smart/ and on promotional materials, so that students can seek out a specific team member to speak with. SM&RT team members can also be identified by the logo certificate hanging in their offices:

With the introduction of the SM&RT team, the College will be phasing out the Sexual Misconduct Support Advisers, which has had many names throughout the years, including SASH Advocates. The support advisers volunteered their time to serve on-call to answer questions and provide resources regarding sexual misconduct. Due to a number of factors, including very low call volume, the decision has been made to reallocate the knowledge and dedication of this group to provide a more accessible, in-person support option for our students.  During this time of transition, any calls made to the Support Adviser phone number will be forwarded to and answered by a member of the Dean of Students on call staff.

Students and community members in crisis will continue to have access to a variety of 24-hour services including Crime Victims Council of Lehigh Valley (CVC). CVC provides confidential services at no cost to victims of crime, including: individual counseling, support group counseling, court advocacy, medical advocacy, and prevention education programs. Anyone may call CVC’s 24-hour hotline at 610-437-6611, which is available any time or day of the year.

Finally, be on the lookout for a communication from the Presidential Oversight Committee on Sexual Misconduct. This committee has been working diligently throughout the summer on drafting updates and revisions to Lafayette’s policies prohibiting Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct and will have some important news to share on their progress in the next few weeks.  This committee will be seeking input on the draft and will host at least one open forum, Attendance will be strongly encouraged.