Kimberly Sanchez Rael, Chair of the Board of Regents at the University of New Mexico | The University of New Mexico
New Title IX regulations and their impact on The University of New Mexico community were the focus of a virtual town hall hosted by the UNM Office of Compliance, Ethics & Equal Opportunity (CEEO) recently. The changes, released by the U.S. Department of Education in mid-April, are set to take effect on August 1, 2024.
Approximately 150 people tuned in to watch the 90-minute panel discussion. They joined Title IX Coordinator Angela Catena and a panel of UNM partners who provided an overview of the key changes in the Final Rule and discussed the next steps for UNM as it works to ensure compliance by the deadline. The turnout demonstrated the importance of the changes to the UNM campus community.
The U.S. Department of Education published new Title IX regulations on April 19, 2024, which will take effect on August 1, 2024. These regulations supersede those from 2020, necessitating changes at UNM to policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal law.
“Title IX is more than just a set of regulations. It is a commitment to promote gender equity, preventing sex discrimination, and addressing sex-based harassment, including sexual violence on campus,” said UNM President Garnett S. Stokes. “It’s also a roadmap that presents us with an opportunity to not only comply with these regulations but also to strive for excellence in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone."
“The Department of Education gave institutions 103 days to read, digest, and implement the new Title IX changes," said Catena. "These changes occur over the summer months, making collaboration a bit more challenging.” However, she noted that UNM partners and students have shown readiness and willingness to engage in supportive change-making.
The final regulations advance Title IX's promise to ensure that no person experiences sex discrimination or sexual violence in federally funded education. They restore protections for students and provide schools with information to meet their Title IX obligations while offering discretion and flexibility based on school size, student populations, and administrative structures.
The final regulations require schools to take prompt action when notified of conduct that may constitute sex discrimination in their programs or activities. They reaffirm commitments to fairness for all parties involved and respect for complainants' autonomy.
The town hall included panelists Barbara Rodriguez (senior vice provost), Ben Zinke (UNM hearing officer), Frankie Flores (director of LGBTQ+ Resource Center), Michelle Dugan (campus advocate at Women’s Resource Center), and Mutazz Jaber (ASUNM vice president).
“I am confident our process will be ready and compliant by the August 1 deadline," said Catena. "The expansion of scope requires the entire UNM community to be responsible within their environments."
Following the presentation of updated regulations, Catena and the panel discussed key changes including jurisdiction expansion; sexual harassment definitions; mandatory reporting; protections for pregnancy-related conditions; grievance processes; hearing procedures; inclusive sex stereotypes; characteristics covering sexual orientation and gender identity; supportive measures; course adjustments; modified schedules; campus escorts; no-contact directives; pre-hearing conferences via Zoom with direct cross-examination support persons recording availability written determinations analysis sanctions appeal rights part hearing process alternative resolution formal complaint processes investigation administrative hearings determination appeals.
“The new Title IX regulations expanded its scope," said Catena. "I am confident our process will be ready by August 1." She emphasized that compliance requires responsibility across all levels within working or learning environments at UNM.
Stakeholders will have opportunities to provide input as CEEO moves forward with interim UAP 2740 mandated changes public comment feedback email CEEO provide feedback work closely stakeholders manage risks liabilities arise committed campus safety inclusivity empowerment build environment supports uplifts every member community according Stokes visit CEEO more information
