July 17, 2023 - Two CSU Systemwide Title IX Reports

Dear Campus Community,  

 I write to provide updates about two recent comprehensive Title IX reviews of the California State University system. The first, conducted by Cozen O’Connor and previewed during the May 24 CSU Board of Trustees meeting, was released today and includes a systemwide report of common observations and recommendations for enhanced system oversight, as well as an individual report for Chico State (PDF).  

With these important findings now in hand, the University’s Implementation Team will be meeting with Cozen and Chancellor’s Office personnel and working to advance the specific recommendations for Chico State. I look forward to sharing updates on our progress in the months to come, including the immediate launch of a website dedicated to the Cozen report. The team’s initial focus and attention over the next few months will include: 

• Improving and expanding our prevention and education programming, and training offerings that are designed to prevent discrimination and harassment, and sexual and gender-based violence. 
• Strengthening our internal Title IX/Discrimination, Harassment, and Relation (DHR) processes, which includes ensuring the department is adequately staffed to perform all its core functions as well as formalizing how the department collaborates with key campus partners. 
• Developing formal written policy for how employees can report and how the University can address unprofessional conduct, abusive conduct, microaggressions, acts of intolerance, and other disruptive behavior in our living, learning, and working environment.  

The second report, conducted by the California State Auditor and expected to be released tomorrow via its website, will focus on the consistency and timeliness in which campuses respond to sexual harassment allegations and whether the CSU has adequate systemwide policies and procedures in place for preventing, detecting, and addressing sexual harassment. Just like the Cozen report, we expect recommendations that we can apply specifically to our campus and will work to incorporate improvements into our implementation plan once we have reviewed the report. 

 During my career, I’ve witnessed firsthand how instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and discrimination can greatly affect entire campus communities and be triggering to survivors within the campus and well beyond. Although the Title IX/DHR department at Chico State is strong, we must continuously work together to improve how we make our University a safer place to live, learn, and work. 

With that in mind, I welcome the findings of both of these reports. They serve as a roadmap for Chico State to take steps to prevent and respond to discrimination and harassment on our campuses through prevention and education programs, adequate resources for students and employees, and individual and community remedies designed to promote accountability in the context of an equitable process.  

We are thankful for the analysis the reviewers have done to provide these recommendations and for the tireless work of those on campus who support our efforts to create an environment and culture where people are and feel safe, free of discrimination and harassment, and supported by each and every one of us. It is only in this environment that we can hope to learn, work, and live to our fullest potential. We are also appreciative of those who have come forward to share their experiences.  

While the phases of implementation will take time, the continued effort and support of this community—from employees to students—are vital to our commitment to creating the best possible experience for everyone, now and in the future. Thank you for your support of each other.  

Thank you, 
Steve Perez 
President