Training for Staff

The Title IX Coordinator, campus security, and anyone else involved in the receipt of reports of, responding to, investigating or adjudicating alleged incidents of sexual discrimination, harassment or other misconduct, or involved in the referral or provision of services to survivors receive annual education and training on primary prevention, bystander intervention, risk reduction, consent, reporting obligations, investigation procedures, confidentiality requirements, relevant College policies and procedures, retaliation, survivor-centered and trauma-informed response, relevant definitions, and other pertinent topics.

In addition to the above training, individuals who investigate or resolve complaints, including through informal resolutions, receive at least 8-10 hours of annual training on issues related to Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act offenses including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; the scope of the College’s education program or activity; the Title IX and College definitions of sexual harassment; how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias; and how to conduct the College’s Grievance Process outlines in Section VIII, above.  Decision-makers in particular receive training on any technology to be used at live hearings and on issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant.  Investigators in particular receive training on issues of relevance so as to enable them to create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence.

Confidential Advisors from off-campus community agencies receive training on the College’s specific grievance process and procedures and their role in such.

The College, in conjunction with its community-wide Sexual Assault Response Team, established pursuant to the Campus Security Enhancement Act of 2008 (110 ILCS 12/10), will annually review its training offerings to identify ways in which to enhance its effectiveness.

Any materials used to train the Title IX Coordinator, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, will not rely on sex stereotypes and will promote impartial investigations and adjudications of formal complaints of sexual harassment.