By Ava Dunham, Environmental Biology, B.S. ‘27
During the final session of FOR 496 Perspectives on Career and Gender, Toyia Sims
delved into what her job as ESFs Title IX coordinator involves and how the
reporting process works.
Title IX is a
federal law that states: "No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of
sex, be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be
subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving
federal aid." (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972). This
includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence. Every student
has the right to report behavior that violates Title IX.
The first
step in reporting is reaching out to Toyia Sims and/or University Police,
Syracuse Police, or New York state Police. Sims can be reached at her office at
216 Bray Hall, 315-470-6617, or email TitleIX@esf.edu. Individuals may also use the campus
What might
this conversation look like? What happens next?
“The
complainant… drives the car” Sims explained. The nature of Title IX violations
means there are multiple approaches to how reporting works. A written intake
form is typically the first step and includes a description of the incident
with details like dates and time. These reports can be done anonymously and can
also exclude the respondent’s name. Students have the option to file a formal
complaint which requires both the complainant and respondent’s name. This opens
an investigation. Investigations include an interview with the respondent and
potentially a hearing in front of a panel and sanctions. Level of involvement
for this process is entirely up to the complainant. A no contact order or NCO can
be issued, which is a mutual document between two students for no contact
online or in person.
Throughout
this process supportive resources are available. “When I meet with the
complainant, I always give them options to talk with our counseling center.”
Sims said, and “there's outside resources as far as Vera House for anyone who
has been a victim of domestic violence… along with our counseling center, along
with timely care [that’s] our virtual counselor available for our students.”
Reaching out
is the first step. Everyone has a right to feel safe on campus and Sims
and other members of ESF Title IX staff are here to support you.
About the
speaker: Toyia Sims is the Lead for Civil Service/Classified staff recruitment
and appointments, Lead for Graduate Assistants medical insurance, Lead for
Student Assistant appointments, assists employee relations for Civil
Service/Classified staff units, and currently serving as Title IX Coordinator.
Further
resources:
- ESF counseling center, 110A Bray Hall, 315-470-4716, counseling@esf.edu
- Vera House, 723 James St, Syracuse, NY 13203, (315) 425-0818
- University Police Department, 315-470-6666/6667
- Seth Thompson (he/him/his), Chief Diversity Officer/ Deputy Title IX Coordinator & Affirmative Action Officer, 219 Bray Hall, 315-470-6810, sthomp43@esf.edu
- Anthony Chefalo (he/him/his), Title IX Investigator, 110 Bray Hal l(315) 470-6660, apchefal@esf.edu
- Robert Dugan, Chief of University Police, 218 Bray Hall, (315) 470-6667, upolice@esf.edu (email is monitore business hours only; the phone number rings through to someone 24/7)
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