In the March 28, 2022, publication, one of the lead articles was the announcement of a “New team to further address sexual misconduct a the university.” The formation of the new Coordinated Community Response Team, is a result of a proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit, brought forth by a student, alleging the university does not maintain or properly enforce sufficient policies and procedures for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct on campus. This lawsuit is different than the class action suit against Dr. Anderson for sexual abuse of mostly male athletes. The Anderson case has been settled for $492 million.
I can go back many times in the last 10 years and find similar articles in the “Record” going on and on about all the great things the university was allegedly doing to prevent sexual abuse on campus. Many of the articles featured glorious quotes from the provost and the president expressing how the university is proud that it is a leader in addressing sexual abuse concerns on campus. The implied the university will have “zero tolerance” for any kind of sexual abuse or misconduct, including prohibiting supervisor/subordinate relationships where one person has professional authority over the other.
Unfortunately, while the president and provost were singing the praises of the new policies, they were the biggest abusers of the policy. Zero tolerance applied to everyone else and not them. They continued with their unprofessional relationships with staff that they had authority over. In the case of the provost, there were multiple complaints about his sex-capades while he was Dean of the School of Public Health. Somehow the complaints never made it to the president, so the president promoted him to provost. It turns out the provost sex-capades didn’t start at U of M. It happened at his previous university. Somehow that information never made it to the search committee who supposedly vetted all the candidates for the provost position.
The president and provost were finally caught because of anonymous tips which were taken seriously. After investigations they were both “fired” from their positions.
The Coordinated Community Response Team as approved by the regents as part of the settlement of the class action suit is as follows:
Purpose: To broadly represent the university community, and provide input and advice on future policies, procedures and prevention efforts related to sexual and gender-based misconduct.
Leadership/Co-chairs: The team will be co-chaired by an external adviser, a faculty member, and the university’s executive director of the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office.
Membership: It will consist of about 30 representatives from across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses. Members will represent survivors of sexual misconduct, students, faculty, and staff from all three campuses, Michigan Medicine, Athletics and other aspects of the campus community, the Safe House Center for survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, and the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s office.
Meeting times: The full team must meet at least three times per year.
Operational Principles: The “team” can determine its own schedule and it can provide “working groups” to further expand those involved.
Reporting Relationship: The three co-chairs of this advisory group will meet regularly with the president and share updates publicly to provide accountability.
Please forgive my cynicism but I see this working as well as the United Nations has worked in stopping Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. There will be a lot of talk and a lot of meetings but very little action that will result in meaningful change.
The only way things are going to change is if the regents and the president enforce the zero-tolerance policy without exception. There doesn’t need to be a large advisory committee to make change. It takes leadership and leaders, who have a good morale compass, who are willing to hold everyone accountable for their actions regardless of their position within the university.
Pray for peace and tolerance. What are you doing to stop the violence? Get vaccinated and get your booster.
Orchid of the Day: Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine for agreeing to vote for the confirmation of Kentanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court.
Onion of the Day: Will Smith, for refusing to leave the Oscars, when he was asked to do so by members of the security team.
Quote of the Day: “In recent years, senators on both sides of the aisle have gotten away from what I perceive to be the appropriate process for evaluating judicial nominees. In my view, the role under the Constitution assigned to the Senate is to look at the credentials, experience, and qualifications of the nominee. It is not to assess whether a nominee reflects the individual ideology of a senator or would vote exactly as an individual senator would want.” Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Video of the Day: The northern lights. Conditions were supposedly right for a possible viewing in northern Michigan tonight. If you have ever seen them, you will never forget them.
Excellent blog. I enjoy reading each snd every blog you write. The world is a better place because you have offered various view points to consider.
Dorothy,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad you are enjoying the blog. So far it has been a labor of love. Keep in touch.
Biggs