Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Sexual assault task force established

Developing story: check out augustanaobserver.com for the latest details.
NEWS BRIEF:
The Augustana administration has responded to campus calls for action by updating the faculty, staff and students on what Augustana will accomplish in the coming term.
An email sent by Provost and Dean of the College, Gail Summer, late this afternoon included updates of how administration will move forward. This email was part of President Bahls’ goal to update the campus community by Friday, Feb. 9 and was pushed back due to routine delays. 
The group is called the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention task force and is designated to assist in finding outside experts that will review Augustana’s Title IX policies as well as provide suggestions to Title IX and the Committee on Sexual Health and Violence Prevention on ways to improve their policies.
Dr. Jennifer Popple, professor of theater and women and gender studies, will serve as the chair of the task force and will work with other faculty members: Dr. Scott Gehler, Dr. Carrie Hough and Dr. Eric Stewart.
Administrators include Liesl Fowler and Michael Rodgers. One confirmation for an administrative position is still pending.
The task force includes  students Vanessa Dominguez, Anna Pfalzgraf, Kaitlyn Watkins and Ravi Patel. Sheri Curran will be the president’s legal counsel.
This task force will try to report by May 1, 2018 to President Bahls so that an action plan can be developed based off the suggestions.
As the task force reports, the president will then search for a new employee to be the Sexual Health and Violence Prevention Coordinator, which will be a permanent position.
The campus desire to have more student involvement has lead to +IMPACT and Dr. Lena Hann establishing a student advocacy group, which is in the process of still finding another faculty member to join.
The campus response to the Clery Act has lead to the college’s general counsel to review the act and see how it can be more transparent while staying within the legal guidelines.
The Observer will continue to follow this ongoing story.

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Sexual assault task force established