Interview with Lauren Jones McKown, Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights & Title IX
KU has a mix of offices charged with ensuring staff, faculty, and students can work, live, and study safely. Navigating which office handles what can be confusing, though. In this issue of The Lens, we talk with Lauren Jones McKown, Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights & Title IX, about how and when staff can engage with this office.
What does the Office for Civil Rights & Title IX do?
The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX (OCRTIX) receives all reports of possible discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, which includes stalking, domestic and dating violence, and sexual assault. We assist parties and reporters through the process – whether that includes an investigation, an informal resolution, support measures, or closing the report without those steps. OCRTIX investigators investigate complaints, prepare an investigation report, then facilitate the transfer of the case to the decision makers. We are also available to answer questions people may have about the process, reporting requirements, and area resources. We are also responsible for some training requirements and overall compliance with Title IX for the University.
When should staff reach out to your office?
Most staff are mandatory reporters per KU policy, so they should reach out when they need to file a report about discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct that they learn of in the course of their employment at KU. You are not required to report your own incidents, so staff members are welcome to report their own incidents if they’d like OCRTIX assistance through support measures or an investigation. Staff members can also ask questions if they are involved as someone’s advisor to an OCRTIX case.
For staff concerned about confidentiality, can you share how that’s handled in your office?
Our office does not share information about reports we receive or investigations we are involved in outside of our office unless the complainants wants us to or if we need assistance from another office during our investigation. Even then we provide minimal information and try to avoid providing names. We also keep information locked within our offices and under password-protected files.
Are there any new policies, processes, or procedures related to your work that staff should be aware of?
We are watching and (anxiously) waiting for the new Title IX regulations that are due in October 2023. Those regulations will require us to revisit the Sexual Harassment policy, the Title IX Resolution Procedures, and Discrimination Complaint Resolution Procedures and maybe more policies and procedures.
Contact the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX
785-864-6414