Our Mission
There’s a disconnect between policy and experience. While administration might have a student's best interest at heart, oftentimes students are left confused, unsure, and not properly supported. It’s our goal to fill in the gaps when it comes to information and understanding surrounding Title IX. We believe that knowledge is power - and knowing what to expect during a time of great uncertainty can make all of the difference.
When we started this project, we believed that gathering data and personal stories would be enough to change the minds of Title IX administration and policy makers. After talking with students, Resident Assistants, professors, and the Title IX coordinator at our school (Champlain College) we realized that it wasn’t about changing the minds of those who make the policies - it was about making sure those affected by the policies and processes were fully supported.
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In the time we’ve been gathering information about Title IX, it’s come to our attention that more often than not, students don’t have easy access to all information concerning Title IX on their campuses. Whether it’s possible resources, an idea of what the process might look like, or knowledge on how to submit a report, finding the answers can be a bit of a maze.
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There are many possible reasons why this issue exists, but the conclusion we’ve come to is this: there’s a disconnect between policy and experience. Those who are in charge of creating Title IX policies and processes have little to no knowledge about what actually happens at the “ground level” of a case. This can look like a process that isn’t trauma-informed, or one that has so many initial steps before an investigation can begin that a survivor decides it’s too much for them. It can look like a lack of communication between reporter, survivor, and administration; those in charge believing there is no issue with “mandatory reporting”; and/or the Clery Act data not accurately reflecting an institution’s case count.
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It was with these realizations that we decided we wanted to fix this disconnect. We may not have any power to actually change the policies, or their makers’ minds, but we do have the power to create an easy-to-access resource to help give students a better understanding of Title IX.
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We want students, especially those affected by Title IX, to feel in control of their lives. It’s our hope that students and administration alike can come to this anthology to gain knowledge and a broader perspective on Title IX, because knowledge and transparency are powerful.