Dear Members of the UIS Community:
On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education issued new Title IX regulations. At UIS, the Access & Equity Office (“AEO”) coordinates the implementation of human and civil rights laws, including Title IX. As your Title IX Coordinator, I am reaching out today to outline what our next steps will be in response to these regulations, as well as to assure you of our ongoing commitment to fostering an environment free from all forms of sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination.
Currently, AEO sponsors a sexual violence prevention task force with members drawn from UIS students, faculty, and staff (including the Dean of Students Office, Diversity Center, and Human Resources Office) as well as local community-based organizations (including the local victim service agencies and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office). Members of this task force will be called on to consider the new regulations and make recommendations for changes to the university’s sexual misconduct policy and procedures, which must be implemented by August 1, 2024.
As you may be aware, state and federal regulations have a large impact on UIS policies and procedures related to sexual violence and misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Although the new regulations influence the university’s compliance obligations, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing safe and equitable educational opportunities, programs, and environments. While policy and procedure edits are considered, all provisions of the UIS Sexual Misconduct Policy will continue to be enforced and all support services and reporting options will remain available.
Through May 7, 2024, all students are encouraged to complete UIS’s first Sexual Misconduct Campus Climate Survey. This anonymous, voluntary survey was launched in April in order to help us better understand student experiences, behaviors, and perceptions related to all forms of sexual misconduct. Please consider taking this survey, or encouraging others to do so. Information gathered will be important as we plan our prevention efforts and implement our new policies and procedures. Additionally, all students who complete the survey will have the option to be entered into a raffle for a gift card worth up to $50!
Finally, I want to thank everyone in advance for their collaboration and feedback as we undergo this complex but vital process. Please never hesitate to reach out to our office at TitleIX@uis.edu or 217.206.6222 if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas to share.
Sincerely,
Shelby Bedford (she/her/hers)
Access & Equity
Equal Employment Opportunity Officer
Phone: 217.206.6222
Web: www.uis.edu/aeo
Email: sbedf2@uis.edu