TO: Campus Community
FR: President Ming-Tung "Mike" Lee
Dear Sonoma State Community,
This week, two reports on the CSU’s handling of sexual harassment cases have been released: the State Audit on CSU Title IX findings and the Cozen O’Connor report. I would like to express my sincerest apologies to any SSU community member, past or present, who has experienced harassment of any kind. Harassment has no place at Sonoma State. I, along with campus leadership, pledge to do whatever we can to make SSU a community free of harassment, fear, discrimination, and retaliation. I write to also further seal my commitment to ensuring that we give our full attention to the recommendations in the reports and, where appropriate, implement changes with the fervor and focus required of such important work. The Cozen O’Connor report notes, “[u]nder its new leadership, OPHD has organically begun to make great strides with respect to the implementation of the university’s Title IX and DHR programs,” with progress “only possible because of the dedication and commitment of Sonoma State’s campus professionals,” despite “significant resource challenges.” I want to thank the Director of OPHD, Julie Vivas, and her staff for their work. I acknowledge that there is more work to be done and that the staff in OPHD must be supported by the entire campus community if we are really to make progress.
It has been noted that SSU has one of the highest rates of reports of sexual harassment complaints in the CSU system. We do not seek to lower the number of Title IX reports on the campus, as we aim to promote a culture of reporting. Rather, our goal is to lower the number of incidents of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. I thank all who have participated and persisted in reporting sexual harassment cases, as it only through reporting that we can effectively gauge the scope and depth of such cases. I also appreciate the passionately dedicated faculty, staff, and students who have and continue to contribute to a healthier and safer campus for all of us. But please know that change cannot happen in a vacuum, and I call on all Seawolves to work with us to end harassment on campus.
Prior to the release of the reports, we assembled an Implementation Team that comprises a broad cross-section of campus stakeholders that will engage in the following work:
- Develop a centralized strategic plan for Title IX responses
- Revise processes for responding to objectionable conduct that does not rise to the level of a policy violation
- Enhance appropriate conflict resolution measures for some conduct issues; and
- Increase the visibility and impact of the Office of Prevention, Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD).
As we move forward, we know that some of the recommendations are challenging and complex, influenced by a multitude of interconnected factors including deeply rooted distrust. It will take time and resources to rebuild trust. It will require that we all work together to embrace change to our process, policies, and most importantly, our culture.
Finally, you might find the following resources helpful:
Support Resources: Counseling and Psychological Services are available for any student seeking support at 707-664-2153. Our Employee Assistance Program, LifeMatters by Empathia, is available as a resource for staff and faculty at 1-800-367-7474. Additional resources, on and off campus, can be found at https://ophd.sonoma.edu/
You can reach the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination at (707) 664-4140 or at ophd@sonoma.edu, and can submit an incident report of sexual misconduct/discrimination to OPHD. In addition to filing reports, OPHD can provide campus members with information on supportive measures, resources, resolution processes, and reporting options.
Warmly,
Mike Lee, Ph.D.
President