November 19, 2019
Dear UT Community,
We are writing to follow up on our recent message and to highlight the steps that we are taking to evaluate the university’s Title IX and sexual misconduct policies and our communication with the campus community.
We are in the process of forming a working group for Title IX and misconduct issues, which will comprise undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff members, as well as university leaders. The members will examine and identify opportunities for the university to improve how we review and communicate about sexual misconduct and other significant issues.
Our administration has held two meetings with student leaders to discuss their concerns and determine the representatives who will serve on this working group. Membership will be finalized in early December, and recommendations will be delivered in April 2020. We have created a website to provide further information and regular updates on the group’s progress. You can share any thoughts or questions you’d like the members to consider, here.
We have also hired Husch Blackwell — an external firm that has worked with universities across the United States, including Texas A&M — to undertake a comprehensive review of our Title IX and sexual misconduct policies and procedures. The review will be led by Julie Miceli and Scott Schneider, who are nationally renowned experts in Title IX cases and higher education best practices. They will collaborate with the working group and advise university leadership on how to improve our processes and communication protocols to best serve our campus community.
These are all important steps, but our work is just beginning. We will continue partnering closely with student leadership and other campus representatives to address the issues that they have raised in recent months.
Sincerely,
Gregory L. Fenves, President
Maurie McInnis, Executive Vice President & Provost
Soncia Reagins-Lilly, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students