Title IX Team Training Materials

WPI is required by Title IX to make its training materials on Title IX publicly available. Due to the size of the documents only the titles are listed below. To request information and/or copies of the training documents, please contact the Title IX Coordinator in writing.

Note: Student training materials are not included here.  All students received links to their training courses.

CONTACT
Location: Rubin Campus Center
Phone: 508-831-6514
TRAININGS CONDUCTED BY TITLE IX COORDINATOR AND TITLE IX INVESTIGATOR FOR WPI COMMUNITY DURING 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
TRAININGS ATTENDED BY TITLE IX COORDINATOR AND TITLE IX INVESTIGATOR DURING 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
March 2024

Informal Resolutions in Title IX

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

Live@Distance 2-day training 

January 2024

Neurobiology of Sexual Assault
SUNY Student Conduct Institute Live@Distance

6.0 credits

Determining Relevance in Title IX Hearings: Part One

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

0.5 credits

December 2023

What is Severe, Persistent, and Objectively Offensive Title IX Sexual Harassment?

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

0.3 credits

Legal Framework for Understanding Conflicts of Interest and Bias

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

0.7 credits

What is Affirmative Consent?

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

0.3 credits

November 2023

2023-2024 Neurobiology of Sexual Assault Trauma (Fall) Day 1

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

3 hour training

October 2023 

2023-2024 Effective Interviewing of Parties and Witnesses

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

0.85 hour training

2023-2024 Collecting and Understanding Specialized Evidence

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

1 hour training

2023-2024 Cultural Relevance and Inclusiveness, and Responding to Sexual and Interpersonal Violence on Campus

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

0.6 hour training 

TRAININGS ATTENDED BY TITLE IX COORDINATOR AND TITLE IX INVESTIGATOR DURING 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
September 2022 

Massachusetts Law and Sexual Misconduct in Higher Education 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

~1 Hour Training 

FERPA & Title IX 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

~1 Hour Training 

Sexual Harassment: Legal Definitions 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

~1 Hour Training 

Privacy, Confidentiality & Privilege in Disclosures of Sexual and Interpersonal Violence 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

~1 Hour Training 

Labor Law Implications of the 2020 Title IX Regulations 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

~1 Hour Training 

What does Title IX tell us about Title VII 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

~1 Hour Training 

Employment Lawsuits: Title VII & Title IX 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

~1 Hour Training 

Cultural Relevance and Inclusiveness and Responding to Sexual and Interpersonal Violence on Campus 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

~1 Hour Training 

January 2023

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training

QPR Institute 

1 Hour Training

February 2023

2022-2023: Collecting and Understanding Specialized Evidence

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

1 Hour Training

Investigations – the Good, the Bad and the Ugly 

Bowditch & Dewey, LLP, Bowditch Employee Law Update 2023

1 Hour Training 

At-Risk Mental Health for Faculty and Staff

Kognito Mental Health and Wellbeing 

0.75 Hour Training

March 2023

Conducting Workplace Investigations 

HRMA of Central Massachusetts

Presented by Jean Copeland Haertl 

1.5 Hour Training

2022-2023: Respondent Series 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

2.5 Hour Training

Part 1 of 5 - Exploring the Current State of Affairs Regarding Respondent Services and Interventions

Part 2 of 5 - Respondents: Foundational Elements Regarding What’s Known, What Works, and What Can Be Done to Enhance the Efficacy of Interventions

Part 3 of 5 - Framing a Comprehensive Approach to Working with Students Who Engage in Harmful Sexual Misconduct

Part 4 of 5 - Why Utilizing Specialized Providers for Assessment and Treatment is Important and How to Find Them

Part 5 of 5 - Campus Safety Planning for Respondents: From Initial Report to Sanctioning to Community Re-Entry

2022-2023: Conducting Higher Education Employment Investigations

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

0.5 Hour Training

2022-2023: Evidence in the Student Conduct Process

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

0.6 Hour Training

Decision Maker Training 

Grand River Solutions 

8 Hour Training

  • Title IX Requirements for Hearings
  • Process Participants
  • Pre-Hearing Tasks
  • The Hearing & Questioning
  • After the Hearing 

Being an Effective Title IX Advisor: From Investigation to Hearing

Grand River Solutions 

2 Hour Training

  • Overview of Title IX and Its Hearing Requirements
  • Live Hearing Format and Logistics
  • Hearing Participants
  • Role of the Advisor
  • Practical Application 
April 2023

Investigator Training: Conducting Fair and Thorough Trauma-Informed Investigations

Grand River Solutions

7 Hour Training

Day 1:

  • Title IX’s Requirements
  • The Proper Application of Trauma Informed Practices
  • The Importance of Understanding the Potential Impact of Trauma
  • Developing an Investigative Strategy 
  • Investigative Interviews: Part 1

Day 2:

  • Investigative Interviews: Part 2
  • Evidence Collection and Assessment
  • The Investigative Report and Record

2022-2023: Due Process Part One: Theory and History 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

0.7 Hour Training

2022-2023: Neurobiology of Sexual Assault Trauma - Part 1: Introduction

SUNY Student Conduct Institute 

0.35 Hour Training

2022-2023: Basic Compliance Training 

SUNY Student Conduct Institute         

8 Hour Training

  • Day 1: Legal Fundamentals 
  • Day 2: Incident Reported & Conduct Process
  • Day 3: Investigations & Hearing
  • Day 4: Decisions & Appeals
May 2023

Informal Resolutions in Title IX

SUNY Student Conduct Institute

3 Hour Training 

Description: This training, led by attorneys Scott Schneider and Paige Duggins-Clay, covered essential Title IX regulatory and OCR guidance, legal considerations, and offers practical considerations for all informal resolutions. Other topics discussed throughout the training include conflict of interest/bias, documentation, assessing voluntary participation, minimizing & managing trauma, and providing attendees with hypothetical scenarios to engage with the content. Trainers Scott and Paige also walked attendees through restorative justice as a method of informal resolution and reviewed other practical considerations for implementation and policy development.

June 2023

Through a New Lens: Understanding the Autistic Perspective 

DHE Hosted Campus Safety and Violence Prevention (CSVP) Trainings 

Asperger/Autism Network (AANE)

1 Hour Training

Description: This training provides a summary of current language conversations, a window into strengths and challenges from the autistic perspective, and an overview of neurodiversity as a whole. Attendees will leave with an inclusive, up-to-date understanding of autism and neurodiversity, along with tips for better allyship.

In Our Own Words: A Neurodivergent College Panel

DHE Hosted Campus Safety and Violence Prevention (CSVP) Trainings 

1.15 Hour Training

Description: Panel Discussion. This talk explored the speakers’ lived experiences as a neurodivergent person on campus including the challenges and successes they have experienced along the way. A moderated conversation with the goal of encouraging inclusivity and acceptance.

Sexual Assault Cases with the District Attorney’s Office

DHE Hosted Campus Safety and Violence Prevention (CSVP) Trainings 

Worcester District Attorney’s Office & Worcester Police Department

1 Hour Training

Description: Assistant District Attorney, Courtney Sans, joined by members of the Worcester Police Department to discuss their process once a sexual assault case is brought before them involving a member of a higher education community. They discussed their legal and communications processes throughout the duration of the case.

Trauma-Informed and Inclusive Investigations

DHE Hosted Campus Safety and Violence Prevention (CSVP) Trainings 

Presented by Jennifer Davis

1 Hour Training

Description:  It is essential for both the TIX Coordinator and the investigator to minimize the degree to which participants may be alienated by the formal process. It is also important that the TIX Coordinator and the investigator have a working understanding of the impact of trauma in order to recognize it and to elicit and evaluate the evidence. This session discussed how past and present trauma may affect participants and how to create and maintain an inclusive, safe environment in the face of these challenges.

Report Writing and Investigations

DHE Hosted Campus Safety and Violence Prevention (CSVP) Trainings 

Presented by Jennifer Davis

Description: This session covered the essential components of an effective and compliant Title IX investigation under the 2020 regulations along with practical tips on interviewing and report writing. 

Clery Act Compliance Training

D. Stafford & Associates 

16 Hour Training

Day 1:

  • Classifying and Counting Clery Act Crimes
    • Campus Security Authorities
    • Clery Geography
  • Classifying and Counting Clery Act Crimes
    • Primary Crimes & Hate Crimes 
    • Arrests & Referrals for Disciplinary Action, VAWA Crimes
    • Hierarchy Rule and Unfounded Crimes
    • Gathering Statistics from Local Law Enforcement 

Day 2:

  • Ongoing Disclosures
    • Timely Warning Notices
    • Immediate Notifications
    • Daily Crime Log
  • Annual Security Report
  • Testing of Emergency Response/Evacuation Procedures 
  • Fire Safety Disclosures
  • Fire Log
  • Missing Persons
  • Violence Against Women Act Policies
  • Violence Against Women Act Procedures for Institutional Disciplinary Action
  • Standards of Administrative Capability
     
2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
January 26, 2022
Judicial Panel Member Training
  • Title IX & Sexual Misconduct Policy Overview
    • Prohibited Conduct
    • Grievance Process for Title IX Sexual Misconduct compared to the Grievance Process for Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct
  • The Hearing
    • Hearing Officer
    • Your Role on the Judicial Panel
  • Skills: Questioning Witnesses/Parties & Weighing Evidence
  • Power Point Presentation
October 2021

Title IX Coordinator/Deputy Title IX Coordinators/Judicial Panel Members

D. Stafford and Associates 2021 VAWA Adjudicator Course:

  • Articulate the requirements for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) under VAWA specific to managing acts of Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking
  • Define the VAWA Offenses and identify issues related to Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking
  • Understand the intersection of Title IX and VAWA
  • Assess reports to determine the appropriate resolution process
  • Develop student and employee conduct proceedings in a manner that “protects the safety of victims” and “promotes accountability”
2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR
December 8, 2020

Title IX Coordinator Training

NACUA’s Title IX Coordinator Training Online Course consists of:

  1. Three (3) modules featuring pre-recorded webinars covering the fundamentals of the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX regulations officially released on May 19, 2020 and
  2. A set of modules featuring a series of synchronous, live classes (i.e., webinars) offering more in-depth coverage of a Title IX coordinator’s responsibilities and duties, to begin during fall 2020.

Module 1: Jurisdiction and Other Threshold Topics

  • Definition of Sexual Harassment
  • To Whom do the Regulations Apply? Applicability of Regulations to Students and Employees (Title VII)
  • When and Where do the Regulations Apply?
  • Implementation Issues
  • Required Institutional Response to a Report
  • Module 1 Webinar Video Presentation

Module 2: Formal Complaints, Investigations & Grievance Procedures

  • The Formal Complaint
  • Written Notice of Allegations
  • Dismissal of Formal Complaints
  • Advisors
  • Informal Resolution
  • Relevancy Determinations and more
  • Module 2 Webinar Video Presentation

Module 3: Policy & Training Obligations

  • Dissemination of Policy
  • Elements to be Included in Your Policy
  • Policy Decision Points
  • Required Training
  • Module 3 Webinar Video Presentation

Module 4: Definitions, Jurisdiction and Preliminary Matters

  • Important definitions, including the definition of “sexual harassment” for Title IX purposes
  • Title IX jurisdictional issues, including the scope of an institution’s programs or activities
  • The filing of a formal complaint
  • Mandatory and discretionary dismissals of formal complaints
  • Providing supportive measures, including to both complainants and respondents
  • Planning for and implementing informal resolution
  • Module 4 Power Point Presentation

Module 5: Conducting a Title IX Investigation

  • The applicability of the Title IX regulations to investigations when employees are involved
  • Conducting an investigation of a formal complaint
  • Ensuring impartiality and avoiding conflicts of interest, bias and prejudgment
  • Understanding relevance
  • Addressing conduct that violates other policies or policy provisions
  • Module 5 Power Point Presentation

Module 6: Hearings and Appeals

  • The role of advisors
  • Credibility determinations
  • More on relevance determinations
  • Establishing and enforcing rules of decorum
  • Weighing the evidence
  • Understanding and processing appeals
  • Module 6 Power Point Presentation

Module 7: Anatomy of an OCR Investigation

Module 8: Title IX Training and Policies

  • Audiences to be educated
  • Elements of good training program including regulatory requirements
  • Benefits and perils of trauma-informed training
  • Auditing training materials
  • Posting requirement
  • Developing and regularly revisiting policies
  • Module 8 Power Point Presentation

Module 9: Athletics Equity

  • Responding to allegations of sexual misconduct in athletics
  • Supportive vs. punitive measures
  • NCAA requirements through a Title IX lens
  • Update on athletic equity including the elimination of sports
  • Module 9 Power Point Presentation
August 10, 2020

New Title IX Regulations Compliance Course

  • Overview of the training module
    • The roles required under new regs,
    • What is meant by impartiality, bias, conflict of interest,
    • Notice, responsible employees, and Title IX versus Delaware law comparison,
    • Scope of new regs,
    • New definition of sexual harassment and how to apply it,
    • How to do Intake under new regs (I.e., “vetting” complaints),
    • Mandatory response requirements / supportive measures,
    • Emergency removal,
    • Alternative resolution options,
    • Formal process:  New rules on investigations, as well as best practices and what to do if conduct is both Title IX and Title VII,
    • Very quick review of “relevance” under new regs,
    • HEARINGS - all of the requirements,
    • What must be in the new hearing outcome report,
    • Sanctions and remedies,
    • Documentation.
  • May 2020 Title IX Final Regulations
August 11, 2020

New Title IX Regulations Compliance Course for Judicial Hearing Panel Members

  • Overview of the training module:
    • A quick summary of the overview topics
    • More time on how to plan for and set up hearings
    • Issues of relevance in order to determine which questions to allow
    • The infrastructure needed for compliance and success
    • Roles and responsibilities of those involved with the pre-hearing or hearing process
    • Prehearing tasks
    • Hearings logistics
    • Evidence issues
    • Post-hearing/report writing processes. 
    • There is also a practicum during which attendees review a file, then use break-out sessions to make pre-hearing decisions and engage in various facilitated practical exercises. 
October 28, 2020

Mediation Training through Metro West Mediation Services for Title IX Coordinator

Topics included in this training:

  • The Alternative Dispute Resolution Spectrum
  • The Five Styles of Dealing with Conflict
  • The Principles of Mediation
  • Mediation Models and the Facilitative Process
  • Positions and Interests
  • Overcoming Impasse
  • Negotiating Agreement
  • Critical Issues in Mediation: Ethical Dilemmas, Power Imbalance, Cultural Differences, and Bias Awareness

For more information on the Metro West Mediation Services course please visit: https://www.metrowestmediationservices.org/mediation-training 

 

November 19, 2020

Updated VAWA Adjudicator Course for Judicial Hearing Panel Members, Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinators, Appellate Officers.

Due to the recent changes in the new Title IX regulations published by OCR earlier this year, the VAWA Adjudicator Training Course has been updated. The following updates were added to the VAWA Adjudicator Training Course:

2021 VAWA Adjudicator 1 - Definitions - This specific module provides an overview of the definitions and considerations for Sexual Assault, Dating and Domestic Violence and Stalking offenses.

2021 VAWA Adjudicator 2 - Disciplinary Proceedings - This specific module provides a detailed understanding of the Clery Act disciplinary proceedings, requirement, the differences between Title IX and the Clery Act requirements, and an overview of the student conduct process.

2021 VAWA Adjudicator 3 - Employee Considerations - This specific module provides considerations to be made in addressing employee issues related to the VAWA offenses.

For more information on the VAWA Adjudicator Course please visit: https://www.dstaffordandassociates.com/

 

 

Title IX Coordinator

Dr. Stanley Horton
100 Institute Road
Worcester, Massachusetts 01609
Office: Rm 234 Campus Center
508-831-6514
titleix@wpi.edu