Title IX Newsletter

Fall 2023 Newsletter:

The Title IX Office releases a semesterly newsletter to update the campus community about planned activities, important updates, and opportunities for engagement. Below you can find our news and updates for the spring semester.

1.  Presentations

During the spring 2023 semester and throughout the summer session, the Title IX Office continued to engage campus community members in various presentations. Ongoing training and education were provided for Residential Life, EOP, New Student Programs, and CARE Team staff, the Psychological Clinic, and the entire professional staff in the College of Community and Public Affairs. The office also presented to the University community more broadly in multiple “Get to Know Title IX” sessions. Anyone interested in a presentation from the Title IX Office can contact Title IX Coordinator Dr. Andrew Baker (607-777-2486 or abaker@binghamton.edu) or Deputy Title IX Coordinator Katy Perry (607-777-3214 or cperry@binghamton.edu).

2. VARCC

The VARCC continues to grow and increase its offerings for victims and survivors of interpersonal violence. Since our last newsletter, the VARCC expanded office hours (including summer availability) and provided several outreach opportunities for the campus community including presence at Spring Fling, orientation sessions for new and transfer students, and events for National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) – ultimately reaching over 1100 members of the campus community combined. The VARCC Lending Library’s offerings have also expanded with more staff-curated books for survivors of sexual violence. VARCC hosted a successful site visit for the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence representatives for New York State in April. VARCC is excited to welcome several new student staff receptionists and an Assistant Dean of Students Graduate Assistant to the team this fall. For more information, be sure to visit the new VARCC webpage!

3.  Biennial Sexual Violence Prevention (SVP) Survey Results

Members of the University community participated in the Annual SUNY Sexual Violence Prevention Survey (SVP) in spring 2023. A summary of the results can be found on the Title IX Webpage. Binghamton University, working with community colleagues (including students, faculty, and staff), will use these data to improve response to violence, develop prevention programs, and will continue to study the issue. The Climate Survey will be administered again in the spring semester of 2025. More information about the survey is available at https://www.suny.edu/climatesurvey/.

4.  Title IX Rulemaking

The federal government released new proposed changes to Title IX in June of 2022, and has announced a plan to publish new regulations in October 2023.  Proposed changes to Title IX may be found here.  The Title IX Office has reviewed the proposed changes and developed plans for anticipated changes if and when the final regulations are implemented.  The office will be offering training opportunities regarding any changes resulting from any new regulations. Anyone interested in a training regarding the implementation of the new regulations can contact Title IX Coordinator Dr. Andrew Baker (607-777-2486 or abaker@binghamton.edu) or Deputy Title IX Coordinator Katy Perry (607-777-3214 or cperry@binghamton.edu).

5.  Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October)

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Keep an eye out for events sponsored by VARCC, 20:1, HPPS, CVAC, student organizations, and more - aiming to bring awareness about this important issue to our campus and in our communities. You can show you are an ally this October and all year long by wearing purple on October 20th, sharing social media graphics including the hotline number (800-799-7233), and sharing other supportive resources with survivors.

We all have a role to play in ending domestic violence. Learn more at https://ncadv.org/DVAM.

6. Professional Development

On June 7th, both Andrew Baker and Katy Perry had the opportunity to attend the SUNY Title IX Coordinators Association (STIXCA) Conference in-person at SUNY Cortland. Guest speakers at the conference included representatives from SUNY Office of General Counsel, SUNY Student Conduct Institute, others from SUNY System Administration. The keynote speakers were representatives from It’s On Us – a national organization aiming to end sexual assault on college campuses. Both Andrew and Katy are members of the STIXCA Executive Board: Andrew is the current President-elect, and Katy is the Website Manager. 

Andrew also attended the National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and Professionals (NACCOP) annual conference from July 19-21 in Baltimore, MD. 

In addition, Andrew and Katy have completed over 30 hours of professional development during the spring and summer terms by attending various webinars and training opportunities offered by professional organizations to which the Title IX office maintains membership.