The University of Missouri System’s Board of Curators plans to elaborate on its definitions of sexual harassment and violence in the guidelines for student conduct.
Though the board of curators is still nailing down the exact language it wants, it does have plans to include sections on stalking, harassment and invasion of privacy. Previous definitions were deemed too general.
These changes come on the heels of a 2011 letter sent by the U.S. Department of Education. The 19-page letter says that federally funded educational institutions must do three things: distribute a notice of non-discrimination, designate a Title IX coordinator, and adopt and publish grievance procedures. The letter strongly emphasizes maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory environment for students -- free of sexual harassment and violence.
The board is working on language for procedural guidelines for complaints of nonconsensual sexual behavior.
In other news from the meeting, the curators also approved a $5.65 million increase in the budget for the renovation of Wolpers and Johnston Halls on the MU campus. That extra money will come out of a reserve fund known as the Residential Life Reserves.