another monday night in diana

Just in time for the start of Relationship Violence Awareness Month, Barnard’s SGA welcomed the Executive Director for Equity and Title IX Coordinator Molree Williams-Lendor to discuss the details of Barnard’s code of conduct and procedures relating to reporting and investigating any incidents relating to sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination. Luckily, new Blogger Miyoki Walker was there to catch it all.

With everything running smoothly, Barnard’s SGA was able to cover a lot of ground, including the representatives’ announcements, development, funding for a new Columbia Women in Law club, and everyone’s favorite civil rights act: Title IX.

While introducing herself, Molree Williams-Lendor, Barnard’s Executive Director for Equity and Title IX coordinator, detailed the role she plays at Barnard and what services are available to students who have experienced any form of discrimination. Williams-Lendor explained her primary duty as making sure that all non-discrimination policies are being met whether it be concerning race, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy status, age, ability, etc. The main point of Williams-Lendor’s opening statement was that all Barnard students should feel protected and able to express who they are without fear of consequences.

The equity office is also in the process of hiring faculty that better represents the Barnard student body in terms of diversity and providing equity training for the staff. When asked about student involvement, Williams-Lendor said that there is always either a student present to help with the development of equity training or she personally relays the information to students.

In addition to her duties relating to non-discrimination policies, Williams-Lendor is also involved with the process of reporting and investigating any acts of misconduct that may occur. Williams-Lendor made it clear during the meeting that it is always up to the student whether or not they take any further action against the accused. The first question she asks of any student coming to inform her of an incident: Do you want to make the report?

The main catch of these policies is who has jurisdiction over what cases. If a Barnard student reports an incident involving another Barnard student, then Williams-Lendor has the jurisdiction to push the investigation further, otherwise, the case will be reported and possibly investigated (depending on the reporting student’s requests) under Columbia’s policies. Although this may prove an obstacle for students who are only comfortable with the Title IX and Equity office faculty at Barnard, Williams-Lendor assured the council that she can be as involved in any case as the student wants her to be.

Overall, Williams-Lendor wants all students to have the information necessary to get whatever help they need. Although most staff and faculty are mandated reporters (meaning they are required to report any sensitive information that a student shares) a few confidential resources students can turn to include primary care, the Furman counseling center, and SVR (Columbia’s sexual violence response).

Image via Bwog Archives