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Blog and Media Roundup - Wednesday, January 10, 2018; News Roundup
Topic Started: Jan 10 2018, 05:38 AM (114 Views)
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UNC will review sexual harassment policies

By Jane Stancill

jstancill@newsobserver.com


January 09, 2018 04:30 PM


UNC-Chapel Hill’s sexual harassment policy will be reviewed in light of the #MeToo movement, top campus officials said Tuesday.

In a letter posted online Tuesday as the spring semester begins, UNC Chancellor Carol Folt and two of her top staff said they are taking “a fresh and critical look” at policies and procedures “to make sure we are doing everything we can to create an inclusive and respectful culture” on campus.

“As we begin 2018, we will continue to address many priorities and none is more important than protecting the safety of our campus community,” wrote Folt, Provost Bob Blouin and Felicia Washington, a vice chancellor who oversees workforce strategy, equity and engagement. “The issue of sexual harassment is on the minds of everyone, as we have watched thousands of women across the nation courageously come forward to tell their stories. The #MeToo movement has started a powerful and important dialogue in our nation and around the world, and it’s helping inspire a transformative and positive change in our society.”
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Besides reviewing policies, the university will ramp up its prevention measures and staff training programs, officials said. Anyone who has experienced harassment or discrimination should report it to UNC’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance and go to a website called Safe at UNC.
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“Discrimination and harassment are counter to our University’s core values and must never be tolerated, and yet we know that these serious offenses may happen anywhere, including on our campus,” the letter said.

“And we want to make sure our campus isn’t just a part of the conversation, but doing all we can to engage and create positive change right here,” the letter added. “This is more than a movement; it’s about creating a culture where all of us can feel free to pursue our passions and dreams without fear of harassment.”

Like many universities across the country, UNC has revamped its policies surrounding sexual misconduct in recent years to comply with federal guidelines surrounding Title IX, the federal law against gender discrimination in education settings. But the situation is now a moving target.

Late last year, the U.S. Department of Education under Secretary Betsy DeVos announced it was formally withdrawing Obama-era guidance to universities about how to handle sexual violence cases. The decision was greeted with scorn by those who advocated more protection for student victims and praise by groups that say the previous guidelines endangered due process rights for the accused.

UNC came under federal investigation following a 2013 complaint by students and a former administrator for its handling of sexual assault under the Title IX law. Dozens of other U.S. universities, including Duke, were also investigated after similar complaints.

Last year, UNC was sued by a female faculty member, who claimed she was a victim of gender discrimination and retaliation. The complaint was filed by Altha Cravey, an associate professor of geography, who claimed she was denied promotion to full professor while male professors with similar credentials and experience were promoted.

Jane Stancill: 919-829-4559, @janestancill

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article193791114.html#storylink=cpy
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http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/01/09/gopher-basketball-reggie-lynch-sexual-assault/

Gopher Basketball Player Could Face Expulsion After Third Assault Allegation
January 9, 2018 at 5:58 pm

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A third woman is accusing a University of Minnesota basketball player of sexual assault, and a school panel has recommended his expulsion.

Senior Reggie Lynch was accused of sexual assault for the second time late last week. That alleged incident took place in April of 2016, and was investigated last fall after the victim reported it to school officials.

The university’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action recommended from that investigation that Lynch be suspended and banned from campus until 202. Lynch has since appealed that ruling.

A third accuser has since come forward, saying she was assaulted by Lynch on April 7, 2016, at an off-campus location. The EOAA finished the investigation of that case on Jan. 3, and recommended Lynch be expelled from the University of Minnesota.

Minnesota Athletic Director Mark Coyle said last Friday, Jan. 5, that Lynch was suspended from athletic competition but would be able to practice, receive medical treatment and participate in team activities.

The University of Minnesota released a statement Tuesday night, saying it cannot comment on the latest allegation due to student privacy laws.

“The University understands and shares the frustration that it cannot share more information. However, federal privacy protections prohibit the University from sharing information related to any specific student discipline matter. The University takes its responsibility seriously and is committed to allowing for due process for all parties involved. The University has and will continue to follow its processes and procedures to the letter of the law in relation to matters of student educational data, but understands the public’s desire for more information,” the statement reads.

Lynch’s lawyer, Ryan Pacyga, posted on Twitter Tuesday afternoon that he will speak with the media on Wednesday regarding Lynch’s case.

Lynch was arrested back in 2016 after the first accusation of sexual assault. He was never charged in the case, appealed a school suspension, cleared and eventually re-instated to the basketball program.
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