An inquiry into the University of Vermont’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations recommended a series of improvements but largely upheld the university’s procedures, according to a report released by school officials Monday.
After a five-month inquiry into the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Office, reviewers made 14 recommendations for changing the office’s practices but found its procedures were “consistent with the University’s written policies.”
UVM’s policies “appear sufficient to meet the University’s obligations under current federal law and guidance,” the two-and-a-half-page document of findings read.
The review stems from massive student protests earlier this year over the university’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations.
In May, social media posts sparked walkouts by roughly 2,000 students frustrated at what they saw as a lack of support for survivors of sexual assault and weak investigative procedures.
UVM officials agreed to conduct an inquiry into the school’s Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, often called the Title IX office, which handles allegations of sexual misconduct. The university tapped Grand River Solutions, a California-based company specializing in school equity matters, to lead the review.
“It was critically important for us to conduct this review,” UVM spokesperson Enrique Corredera said in an email. The report, he said, “demonstrates UVM’s unwavering commitment to continually review and improve our efforts to prevent and to appropriately address allegations of sexual misconduct.”
In a Monday letter to UVM President Suresh Garimella, Grand River employees largely affirmed the school’s investigative procedures.
The Title IX office “generally follows the investigation processes set forth in its policies and written procedures,” the review reads, adding that “A review of select files suggests that records are well maintained, with no significant deficiencies.”
But reviewers found that UVM students who interacted with the office “did not fully understand the investigation process, found it confusing, and felt unprepared.”
“In some cases, students misunderstood elements of the reports because of the complicated and legalistic manner in which reports were written,” the report read.
Reviewers also noted that the Title IX office failed to complete “almost all” investigations within its goal of 60 days, “most often due to requests from a student’s outside advisor.”
The report also highlighted gaps in understanding between school officials and students about the nature of consent and culpability.
“Several students interviewed expressed concern that the investigator had made a decision that the sexual activity had been consensual, rather than a determination that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegation of sexual activity without consent,” reviewers wrote.
“Reports properly distinguished between being ‘drunk,’ as distinct from lacking the capacity to consent, but this distinction was not well understood by all students,” the report added.
Reviewers recommended that school officials improve procedures for contacting students — the Title IX office should “attempt to engage non-responsive reporting parties at least three times, as opposed to the current practice of reaching out at least two times” — and making investigative processes clearer to students.
The report also recommended “providing regular status updates to parties, rather than requiring parties to seek information.”
In its inquiry, Grand River reviewed investigative documents and interviewed Title IX office staff, according to its report.
Reviewers also contacted “all students who interacted with the AAEO office during the past three years,” the report said, using an acronym for the Title IX office. Students then were given a choice to participate or not.
Grand River Solutions could not be reached for comment, and it was not immediately clear how many students had taken part.
UVM survivor advocacy groups could not immediately be reached for comment.
In a Monday letter to UVM community members, Garimella said that he had instructed the Title IX office to adopt the report’s recommendations “immediately or as soon as is practical.”
“This gives us a clear path to improve our system and to be responsive to our students,” Corredera said.
