EC needs to step up its Title IX training enforcement

Editorial Board

A federal law, Title IX, holds colleges accountable for discrimination on the basis of gender. If colleges are not compliant with this law, their federal funding is in jeopardy. 

EC claims that Title IX training is mandatory, but for most students there are no consequences if they do not complete it. 

In fact, the only students who face consequences are RA’s and student athletes. Failure to complete these trainings could result in the inability for them to participate in their roles. How can something with no consequences for the majority of the student body be considered mandatory?

The answer to this question is so confusing that false rumors were spread amongst the student body about holds being placed on accounts if one did not complete the training. 

Obviously no online training, no matter how well enforced, will stop all assault and discrimination, but Title IX training is still important because it is a start to inform the campus on what this kind of discrimination entails and how to prevent it. 

This is a very serious issue, and the school needs to show that it cares about it by honoring their word and making sure that if it is going to be mandatory, that it is mandatory for everyone. That has to start with consequences being enforced across the board. 

Consequences as a way of enforcing Title IX training are not new. Due to student protests, Harvard University now mandates Title IX training to be completed by all students prior to registering for classes. Students cannot enroll until their training is completed. Harvard also offers an online “opt out” option, where students can complete the training in person individually, or even in a group. 

This is an example of an accessible and well-enforced training. While it is naive to suggest sexual discrimination does not happen at Harvard, at least they are demonstrating that they authentically care about educating students and are going to hold them accountable if students refuse to engage in this way.

The purpose and the consequences are clear, and they offer multiple options to complete it. At EC, the purpose is vague, and there are no consequences.

Discrimination and assault are preventable, and it all starts with education. 

EC claims it is making an effort to stop it. Students can get hurt, and the school has missed the mark when it comes to Title IX education every year. We all know EC can and should do better, so EC needs to step up.