I’ve been involved with several students who have been reported to the Honor Code Office. Often, I help with advice or support, but sometimes, I accompany students to the HCO.
The last time I was there, a student reported an event that occurred without their consent and the HCO counselor stopped the meeting and said the matter was now a Title IX issue, which was absolutely the right thing to do.
This counselor then told the student that if they had a kid in their shoes, they would first report to a BYU employee called a “Survivor Advocate” because the SA was required to maintain 100% confidentiality, implying that the Title IX office would not. It was also implied that the Title IX process is difficult and complicated, and the SA was much less formal. We were told that the SA can often resolve issues without the involvement of the Title IX office at all.
I asked this counselor is the SA was part of the Title IX office, and was told it was “more of an extension” of the Title IX office. The counselor then pulled up bios of the two SAs on campus and made sure to reiterate that they were the better choice for this situation.
This raises several questions for me.
1. Below is a screenshot of the BYU Title IX webpage:
The first time I looked at this page, I assumed the “Contact an Advocate” button would connect me to the Title IX official (I later learned this position is called the Title IX Coordinator), when instead, it connects to the Survivor Advocate. Why does it feel like the SA, a BYU employee, is given equal representation as the Title IX Coordinator, who has a mandate from the federal government to protect students from discrimination and sexual violence?
I researched other private religious universities as well as other Utah universities and found that none of them have “Survivor Advocates.” Other universities have their Title IX Coordinator and reporting process listed clearly.
2. So, why are BYU students being redirected to the SA? What is the reason that students are encouraged to avoid the Title IX office? The easiest explanation for me is that BYU has found a way to artificially lower crime statistics reported under the Clery Act.
3. Why is the Title IX office investigating reports of sexual misconduct? As I understand it, they investigate claims of discrimination and sexual violence that are brought to them by students. The Honor Code defines sexual misconduct for the students, right? Why is the Title IX office acting as an investigative arm of the HCO?
4. In communication with the HCO, why are students required to have a secure login to view complaints against them, but the Title IX Coordinator can email students directly with the same content, creating opportunity for private matters to be made public?
5. Furthermore, why does the Title IX Coordinator email the student and also suggest the student speak to a SA? There are other resources available, but the SA is the only one mentioned directly by both the HCO and the Title IX office.
6. Every time I go with a student to the HCO, or I speak with anyone on campus on behalf of a student, I am thanked for being there, for advocating for a student. Isn’t that your job?