Report 2013-124 Recommendation 24 Responses

Report 2013-124: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence: California Universities Must Better Protect Students by Doing More to Prevent, Respond to, and Resolve Incidents (Release Date: June 2014)

Recommendation #24 To: University of California, Berkeley

All universities should provide supplemental training on sexual harassment and sexual violence, including sexual assault, for all student athletes on an annual basis. Further, the universities should provide supplemental training on sexual harassment and sexual violence, including rape awareness, to all student members of fraternities and sororities on an annual basis. The universities should also determine which student organizations participate in activities that may place students at risk and ensure that they receive annual, supplemental training on sexual harassment and sexual violence, including rape awareness. Each of the trainings should be focused on situations the members of the respective student groups may encounter.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2016

UC Berkeley implemented in-person education about the prevention of and response to sexual violence and harassment for leaders of all registered student organizations. Organizations that do not participate in the education program do not receive access to the privileges available to registered student organizations (e.g. funding, space reservations, etc.). Also, each semester, UC Berkeley determines which student organizations would benefit from supplemental prevention education based on an assessment of the group's activities, culture, and norms. In partnership with the student organization and a prevention expert, UC Berkeley develops and implements a tailored workshop, training, or module. Furthermore, any student organization found responsible for violating the Code of Conduct for sexual violence and sexual harassment is subject to a range of sanctions and, in addition, supplemental education and training.

UC Berkeley continues to implement annual in-person prevention education for all student-athletes and all students in fraternities and sororities. Content is tailored for the culture, norms, and issues relevant to each population and includes rape awareness.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From September 2015

UC Berkeley has more than 1,000 registered students groups on campus. Based on the auditor's recommendation and our desire to enhance the ways in which we educate student organizations and communities about sexual violence, we provide in person trainings and resources to groups who are either new to our campus community, or those that engage in off campus travel or activities. The campus previously submitted training documents used to train the signatories of these student organizations, as well as a schedule of those trainings. The students who attend these trainings on behalf of their organizations are given access to materials and are able to share the information to the remaining membership in a "train the trainer" format.

It is important to note, the campus does not keep rosters of student organizations. As a university we support our students' freedom of association within their co-curricular lives. Requiring students to list their names on organizational rosters limits their ability to freely associate in organizations that are identity or issues based. For instance, if we required rosters, some students may not join organizations that are identity or politically focused because they may wish to keep that aspect of their lives or particular area of interest, private. Our current practice supports healthy identity development and allows students to freely engage in activities and organizations that promote self-exploration and a healthy sense of self.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Partially Implemented

Although UC Berkeley provided evidence of the training that it provided to student representatives of various student groups, the materials provided had minimal information on sexual harassment and sexual violence. The recommendation states student organizations identified by the university should receive annual supplemental training on sexual harassment and sexual violence, including rape awareness. The training should be focused on situations the members of the respective student groups may encounter. Therefore, we assessed this recommendation as Partially Implemented.

1-Year Agency Response

All student leaders (signatories) of registered student organizations (RSO) are required to complete an online training and certification with increased attention to topics of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and active bystander intervention. In addition, beginning in Fall of 2015, targeted student groups and an increased number of student leaders (signatories) of all RSOs will receive supplemental, in-person annual training on sexual harassment and sexual violence which includes information about bystander intervention, confidential resources, rights and options, and reporting. Targeted student groups will consist of all members of the newly formed registered student organizations each semester. New student organizations will be placed on a probationary status until members attend a once per semester training. There will also be an increase in the number of student leaders who must attend the mandatory, in-person student organization orientation--at least half of student signatories required for registration with the university must attend. In addition, all students in RSOs, with particular attention to organizations that travel, will receive education and information regarding bystander intervention and supporting someone impacted by sexual harassment and violence. Student organizations found responsible for policy violations will receive sanctions that may include appropriate training and education related to violence prevention.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented

Although UC Berkeley marked this as Fully Implemented, it did not provide support for the training provided to other targeted groups, such as newly formed registered student organizations. UC Berkeley has updated training for athletes, fraternity, and sorority members. Therefore, we have assessed this recommendation as Partially Implemented.

6-Month Agency Response

In the Fall of 2014, UC Berkeley undertook comprehensive supplemental training on sexual harassment and sexual violence across various student groups. All student athletes were required to attend a 90 minute specialized training provided by Jackson Katz, a national expert in gender violence, on December 2.

Fraternity and Sorority leadership including key positions (Presidents, Risk Managers, and Social Chairs) attended mandatory training on August 25, 2014; the IFC (Inter Fraternity Council) hosted a New Member Academy and New Member Educators Summit on September 21, training new incoming fraternity members and those fraternity leaders who conduct their new member education process. On November 18, the Dean of Students hosted a Greek (fraternity/sorority) forum on sexual violence and assault prevention, including Greek students, alumni advisors, inter/national headquarters representatives, and University leadership. On October 8, 2014 the Inter-fraternity Council unanimously voted to mandate one educational program on sexual assault prevention each semester for each IFC chapter, and unanimously voted to create a new position of Vice President for Health & Safety. A main role for the VP is to look at ways to prevent sexual assault in the CalGreeks community. Other Greek Councils are creating similar structures in their leadership.

All RSOs (Registered Student Organizations) were required to send one member identified as a signatory (i.e. someone who has signing authority and scheduling privileges) to Student Organization Orientation, where pertinent topics were discussed including leadership identity, campus policies and practices, and information regarding campus resources and services. This was a requirement in order to be recognized as a RSO. This practice will continue moving forward.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented

Berkeley has made efforts to ensure all student athletes and fraternity and sorority members receive additional supplemental training on sexual harassment and sexual violence, including rape awareness annually. However, Berkeley has not identified certain student groups to provide annual, supplemental training on sexual harassment and sexual violence, including rape awareness.

60-Day Agency Response

OPHD (Office for the prevention of Harassment and Discrimination) and IA (Intercollegiate Athletics) exploring purchase of online tool to supplement training students already receive. In 2015, may use in-person presentations to student athletes at various intervals. (June 2015)

This Fall, enhanced training and programs are being offered from the LEAD (Leadership, Engagement, Advising and Development) Center Fraternity & Sorority Advising and Leadership Development team that includes information and resources regarding Sexual Misconduct and Title IX. These trainings have been developed collaboratively; including the input of campus experts and authorities with responsibility and oversight for the material covered. (Fall 2014 and ongoing)

This fall, all RSOs (Registered Student Organizations) will be required to send one member identified as a signatory (i.e. someone who has signing authority and scheduling privileges) to Student Organization Orientation, where pertinent topics will be discussed including leadership identity, campus policies and practices, and information regarding campus resources and services. After September 13th, benefits will be suspended to the those student groups not in compliance until they participate. This is a new approach and fall 2014 will be the first time this process has been implemented. (Fall 2014 and ongoing)

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2013-124

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.