Dear TC Community,
Teachers College, Columbia University (“TC” or the “College”) is committed to providing a working, learning and living environment free from sexual discrimination and harassment and to fostering a vibrant, nurturing community founded upon the fundamental dignity and worth of all of its members
In furtherance of this commitment, and in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the “Clery Act”), as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA”), the College prohibits the forms of sexual or related conduct as defined below.
Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 (“Title IX”) is the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination by any educational institution that receives federal funding. This law has been interpreted by courts and the U.S. Department of Education to require colleges and universities to take certain steps to prevent and respond to sexual harassment.
The NYS Enough is Enough statute (NYS 129-B) also requires institutions of higher education to take steps to prevent and respond to sexual harassment including conducting campus climate assessments (surveys) concerning the provisions of the Enough is Enough statute. Each NYS institution is required to conduct this survey every other year. Teachers College conducted our most recent climate survey in December 2020. The circumstances surrounding the pandemic in the 2020 calendar year - particularly limited on-campus activity – led to a low response rate and an unrepresentative sample, unlike in pre-pandemic years.
The subset of TC students who responded to the survey reported feeling safe on campus. They generally knew where to report incidents of sexual assault or gender based misconduct and what resources were available to them should they experience these behaviors. Additionally, most reported that they had received training in the policies and procedures regarding incidents of sexual assault. The results of the survey will be used to develop educational programming and direct our resources appropriately.
As we look forward to returning to campus and providing education, resources and support to our community members in the area of Title IX, we will work to develop a climate survey for 2022 (our next reporting year) and seek to obtain significant responses to inform our work in this area.
Sincerely,
Janice S. Robinson
Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs
TC Title IX Coordinator