Fresh terms: Title IX Updates

This fall semester has brought about a significant number of changes for Southern University. One of the many changes that have occurred has been to SU’s Title nine policy. Title IX is a longstanding set of protections that protect students from possible sexual misconduct from staff.
This set of guidelines has become even more wide-ranging thanks to a change in U.S. presidents. Southern Universities’ Title IX coordinator, Akai Smith, spoke about the changes in protocol. “It’s not so much of a change but, more so, in addition to the protocol,” said Smith.
This semester, Title IX has added a new term based upon “power-based violence.” This term expands Title IX from its initial three standards and offers more protections for students.
“It talks about quid pro quo,” said Smith when asked what these protections look like. Quid pro quo speaks to the new overarching protections that ensure that students are not taken advantage of by sexual misconduct exchanges. These include sexual favors in exchange for grades and possible blackmail in exchange for sexual advances.
Title IX already had protections against domestic violence, but with this expansion, it can now cover much more ground. “Sexual battery or aggravated crime against nature, solicitation of prostitutes; it’s just a broader spectrum of sexual misconduct that Title IX did not clearly define based on the final rule from the Trump administration.”
The overarching policy ensures safety across the board for Southern’s student body in totality. “The process is still the same; everybody still has the same due diligence,” said Smith.
When speaking about whether any Title IX violations had been committed this semester, Smith said candidly “There have been reports; we have not gone into an investigation process on those reports.”
She then spoke about the difference between a formal complaint and a report. “Reporting is very different from formal complaints; anybody can report anything to the office.” Smith went on to note how complaints occur when students or faculty sit down with Dr. Gibbs, describe their situation in detail, and determine the course of action.
Dr. Smith also spoke about how Title IX also covers both women and men. “It’s important for male and female students to know that they have somewhere to go to.” Title IX’s protocol is to serve and protect all students and ensure that everyone has a healthy and safe college experience.
Senior Logan Dean, when asked how she felt about the protocol expansion, spoke with a positive outlook. All instances of sexual misconduct and violence can be reported to the Title IX office as well as the campus police.
This renewed policy truly gives the student body the options and the space to protect themselves from misconduct. Junior Joshua Norwood also spoke about the new protocol. “I’m happy that my friends can feel safer knowing that there are policies in place for these sorts of things.”
With the semester in its final stages and finals coming up in mere weeks, students must be aware of their options relating to Title 9.