we actually pulled it off and the administration agreed to revise the reporting policy. i am so proud of everyone who spoke up because this change is finally happening for all of us. keep an eye on the official handbook updates to make sure they follow through.
May 10, 2015
Mandatory Reporting Policy Petition- PLEASE ONLY SIGN IF YOU ARE AFFILIATED WITH KNOX (either student, alum, or faculty/staff)
Final supporters
ADDRESSED TO ALL STUDENTS IN THE KNOX COMMUNITY
The current administration has wrongly told students that all faculty and staff members of Knox College are required by law to be mandated reporters in cases of sexual misconduct. In reality, under Title IX, the only campus personnel required to report are departmental chairs, administrative members, and heads of student programs. The University of Iowa is one example of a school that effectively uses this mandatory reporting policy.
Furthermore, the current administration has deemed that public spaces such as the Gizmo and students’ own rooms are spaces in which mandatory reporting is required. Many students have voiced their feelings that this is intrusive, as well as a re-victimization of sexual assault survivors. Again, although the administration says that even public areas (on or off-campus) are mandated reporting spaces, this is not required by law.
We demand that the Knox College administration revise their policies to conform to both student needs and Title IX. In particular, we demand that:
1. The only mandated reporters shall be department chairs, administrative members, and staff members in charge of student programs (club advisors, student job supervisors, head coaches, etc.).
2. Faculty, resident assistants, custodial staff, and any other staff member shall be exempt from mandatory reporting.
3. Campus personnel not required to report shall have the option of using an anonymous reporting system (e.g., ETIXA anonymous reporting).
4. Personal information shared in classroom discussions and creative work shall be exempt from mandatory reporting.
5. Public spaces on campus such as dining areas, residential halls, etc., shall no longer be mandated reporting spaces except in the event that a student approaches a mandated reporter and specifically wishes to report.
6. Any conversations heard off-campus regarding sexual victimization shall not be subject to mandatory reporting.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
March 6, 2015
41 Comments
I haven't had any traumatic experiences myself, but I know people who have. For them, putting the event(s) behind them was the most important thing they could do for themselves to achieve peace. Forcing people to report, especially if they don't want to, is just another form of victim-blaming/shaming that implies that there is something wrong with a person who doesn't report. As the petition description says, people who report are forcing either themselves or the victim to relive the traumatic experience again and again. If a person wants to report, it should be their choice to do so. It should not be forced upon them.
Creating an environment of trust between faculty and students is of the utmost importance to changing the culture on campus in regards to sexual violence. Campus should be a safe space. There are valid reasons for mandated reporting but at the end of the day college students are adults and should choose how they deal with their experiences and the college should encourage victim-centered healing, and mandated reporting does not support that.
We all know where these policies by college and university administrations are emerging from, but they are misguided. They stifle constructive and appropriate discussion of sensitive topics and discourage those who may need and want help from seeking it. Students should be able to make their own decisions about revealing personal information without fear of being revictimized for a past event and campus members without appropriate training should not be placed in the position of being required to report.
A vital part of a small liberal arts college is the community it fosters. Eliminating trust between faculty and students will harm that community!
I understand the good intentions behind the current policy, but it makes victims unable to speak up in class while retaining their autonomy and control over their options, effectively silencing the speech of victims in courses.
I especially want to express my support the third, fourth and sixth bullet points.
Agree and signing. This will I'm assuming exempt RA's from mandatory reporting. On the other hand it should be clear that this doesn't obligate RA's to not report and I think that's better but it should be known.
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we actually pulled it off and the administration agreed to revise the reporting policy. i am so proud of everyone who spoke up because this change is finally happening for all of us. keep an eye on the official handbook updates to make sure they follow through.
May 10, 2015
Mandatory Reporting Policy Petition- PLEASE ONLY SIGN IF YOU ARE AFFILIATED WITH KNOX (either student, alum, or faculty/staff)
Final supporters
ADDRESSED TO ALL STUDENTS IN THE KNOX COMMUNITY
The current administration has wrongly told students that all faculty and staff members of Knox College are required by law to be mandated reporters in cases of sexual misconduct. In reality, under Title IX, the only campus personnel required to report are departmental chairs, administrative members, and heads of student programs. The University of Iowa is one example of a school that effectively uses this mandatory reporting policy.
Furthermore, the current administration has deemed that public spaces such as the Gizmo and students’ own rooms are spaces in which mandatory reporting is required. Many students have voiced their feelings that this is intrusive, as well as a re-victimization of sexual assault survivors. Again, although the administration says that even public areas (on or off-campus) are mandated reporting spaces, this is not required by law.
We demand that the Knox College administration revise their policies to conform to both student needs and Title IX. In particular, we demand that:
1. The only mandated reporters shall be department chairs, administrative members, and staff members in charge of student programs (club advisors, student job supervisors, head coaches, etc.).
2. Faculty, resident assistants, custodial staff, and any other staff member shall be exempt from mandatory reporting.
3. Campus personnel not required to report shall have the option of using an anonymous reporting system (e.g., ETIXA anonymous reporting).
4. Personal information shared in classroom discussions and creative work shall be exempt from mandatory reporting.
5. Public spaces on campus such as dining areas, residential halls, etc., shall no longer be mandated reporting spaces except in the event that a student approaches a mandated reporter and specifically wishes to report.
6. Any conversations heard off-campus regarding sexual victimization shall not be subject to mandatory reporting.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
March 6, 2015
41 Comments
Until Knox College actually finds rapists "guilty" and punishes them, forcing a victim to go through Knox's Title IX Grievance Process is wrong and only re-traumatizes the victim. Survivors don't need to be raped against by the process unless they are 100% ready to come forward on their own.
I haven't had any traumatic experiences myself, but I know people who have. For them, putting the event(s) behind them was the most important thing they could do for themselves to achieve peace. Forcing people to report, especially if they don't want to, is just another form of victim-blaming/shaming that implies that there is something wrong with a person who doesn't report. As the petition description says, people who report are forcing either themselves or the victim to relive the traumatic experience again and again. If a person wants to report, it should be their choice to do so. It should not be forced upon them.
Creating an environment of trust between faculty and students is of the utmost importance to changing the culture on campus in regards to sexual violence. Campus should be a safe space. There are valid reasons for mandated reporting but at the end of the day college students are adults and should choose how they deal with their experiences and the college should encourage victim-centered healing, and mandated reporting does not support that.
We all know where these policies by college and university administrations are emerging from, but they are misguided. They stifle constructive and appropriate discussion of sensitive topics and discourage those who may need and want help from seeking it. Students should be able to make their own decisions about revealing personal information without fear of being revictimized for a past event and campus members without appropriate training should not be placed in the position of being required to report.
A vital part of a small liberal arts college is the community it fosters. Eliminating trust between faculty and students will harm that community!
I understand the good intentions behind the current policy, but it makes victims unable to speak up in class while retaining their autonomy and control over their options, effectively silencing the speech of victims in courses.
I especially want to express my support the third, fourth and sixth bullet points.
Agree and signing. This will I'm assuming exempt RA's from mandatory reporting. On the other hand it should be clear that this doesn't obligate RA's to not report and I think that's better but it should be known.
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Until Knox College actually finds rapists "guilty" and punishes them, forcing a victim to go through Knox's Title IX Grievance Process is wrong and only re-traumatizes the victim. Survivors don't need to be raped against by the process unless they are 100% ready to come forward on their own.