SUNY Student Assembly: We Oppose New Title IX Regulations

The following statement was submitted by the Student Assembly of the State University of New York (SUNY SA). 

The SUNY Student Assembly opposes the revised Title IX regulations announced by the U.S. Department of Education.

Students understand that it is paramount that survivors of sexual violence be given the resources and support services they need on campus. Students also understand that campus judicial proceedings must offer a fair due process to both accusers and the accused.

The regulations announced by Secretary DeVos make it more difficult for survivors of sexual violence to seek justice through campus proceedings, which may lead some survivors not to report.

The Student Assembly is particularly opposed to removing the ability of student survivors to seek a campus judicial proceeding for incidents that occur off-campus. An act of sexual violence committed by one student against another off-campus is no less traumatizing, and requires no less campus intervention, than one that occurs on-campus.

The Student Assembly fully supports SUNY’s Title IX Policy and New York State’s Enough is Enough law, which guarantee a fair process to both accusers and the accused, and offer necessary support services to survivors. We urge SUNY and each of our sixty-four campuses to do their best to maintain these policies despite the federal action.

“The Department of Education should be taking greater steps to combat sexual violence on campuses- this is a step in the opposite direction,” said Michael Braun, President of the SUNY Student Assembly and Trustee on the SUNY Board of Trustees. “We are concerned that the proposed regulations may lead survivors not to report incidents, and make it more difficult for students who do come forward to get the justice they deserve.”

The Student Assembly urges the U.S. Department of Education to extend its announced 60 day comment period on the proposed regulations. This period overlaps with breaks on campuses across the country, thus limiting the ability of students to meaningfully contribute to the process. Despite this, the Student Assembly will offer its input to the Department of Education on the regulations and we urge other students to share their thoughts and concerns through this comment period.

The Student Assembly of the State University of New York (SUNY SA) is the recognized student government organization representing the nearly 600,000 students of the State University of New York. Comprised of student leaders elected by their peers from across SUNY’s 64 campuses, SUNY SA is committed to empowering students throughout the state, and ensuring the representation of its members on the state and national level, as well as throughout the SUNY system.