Shaniqua Crawford took on the role of Lawrence’s new Title IX coordinator this past Monday.
Photo by David Baldwin.
As of Jan. 7, 2019, Shaniqua Crawford has begun her position as Lawrence University’s new Title IX Coordinator. This position was created at Lawrence in 2016 and has only recently become a full-time, 12-month position.
The hiring of Crawford was a collaborative process involving Lawrence students, staff, faculty and a designated search committee. During Fall Term, an open forum was held in the Warch Campus Center Cinema in order to allow members of the Lawrence community to observe and question the candidates for the position. The candidates’ cover letters and resumes were sent out in a mass e-mail.
Crawford studied philosophy and history at the University of Southern Georgia. She received her Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law. Through her education and various other experiences, Crawford has had experience working specifically with Title IX, Equal Employment Opportunity, affirmative action and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Crawford previously served at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh as Deputy Title IX Coordinator Investigator and as an expert on civil rights. In Oshkosh, she encouraged diversity and inclusion efforts, provided consultation and training, investigated complaints and assisted the Director of Equity and Affirmative Action.
In her cover letter, the civil rights expert described Lawrence as an institution that “understands the true value of diversity and inclusion and is actually doing the work required to bring the objectives of [its] statement on diversity to fruition.” These statements include the Sexual Misconduct Policy, which was revised during the 2016-17 school year.
According to Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Associate Dean of Faculty Kimberly Barrett, “Our goal is to end instances of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and assault, on our campus as part of our efforts to ensure the safety of all Lawrentians.”
Efforts toward this goal are made evident through the hiring of Crawford and the implementation of the revised Sexual Misconduct Policy, which delves into the details of Title IX and the processes that will occur after any breach of consent or any instances of discrimination or harassment. In addition to policy changes, all Lawrence University employees have been encouraged to complete Title IX training and Bystander Intervention training annually.
If a member of the Lawrence University community feels that they may be experiencing any sort of discrimination or harassment, they can review the options available to them on the Lawrence website where the Sexual Misconduct Policy is located.
There are multiple ways to report behaviors that might indicate sexual misconduct. An individual—with the available help of a Sexual Harassment and Assault Resources and Education (SHARE) advocate—may contact the Title IX Coordinator, complete a report or complaint form, contact campus safety, make a report to other college employees or report to law enforcement.
Reporting may lead to informal investigations but must become a formal process with an outside investigator if there is reason to believe that the misconduct is following a pattern, involves a predator of any kind or includes, threats, violence or weapons. Resources from SHARE are always available in any stage of the process.