Freedom of the press is literally a cornerstone of our nation, a principle so fundamental that it is enshrined in the First Amendment. Across the University of Illinois System, we deeply value the watchdog function that a free press provides, and are proud of our contributions through best-in-class academic programs that have long helped train the journalists of tomorrow.
Recently, we received a well-intentioned request from WUIS to exempt its staff from Title IX-mandated reporting requirements involving sexual misconduct. The request is in potential conflict with another core principle we value – the safety of our campuses, our students, and our faculty and staff.
Those Title IX reporting requirements are a key to our efforts. A primary goal is to make sure the institution knows about any student who may have been victimized so that we can reach out to provide support through counseling, accommodations and other resources.
The requirements also serve a watchdog function of their own, ensuring that everyone on our campuses looks out for each other by reporting any instance of harassment, misconduct or abuse. The reporting policy, approved by the Board of Trustees in 2016, purposely enlists virtually every employee to help us provide the culture of safety that fosters learning, discovery and success. The only personnel exempted are confidential advisors who complete extensive training to provide the special skills needed to support student survivors of sexual violence. It is a rigorous process, requiring 40 hours of initial training and six hours of continuing education annually to help them counsel and guide students following a disclosure.
We realize that having journalists who are also university employees creates a unique situation, and we are committed to working on a solution to support two very important interests. We have no intention of stifling the news gathering process. The Title IX process is carefully designed to ensure the interests of all participants are protected, which includes confidentiality to the greatest extent possible. We understand that WUIS has already implemented measures to direct students and other complainants to alternative media outlets that have no Title IX reporting obligations.
We greatly value and appreciate the essential role of the media and we look forward to working with our WUIS employees on a path forward. In all of this, the safety of our campuses is paramount. That bedrock commitment to the well-being of our students and employees is reflected in the work of a system-wide task force that spent the last year examining every aspect of our efforts to prevent sexual misconduct, and developing a comprehensive set of recommendations that trustees will vote on at today’s meeting.
