External Review Panel on Sexual Misconduct and Response

President Gottfredson has announced the formation of an independent, external review panel to conduct an evaluation of the university's practices for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct.

University of Oregon External Review Panel on Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response

University of Oregon President Michael Gottfredson, Vice President for Student Affairs Robin Holmes, and Athletic Director Rob Mullens are establishing an independent, external review panel to conduct an evaluation of the university’s practices for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct that affects our students, and supporting those who have experienced it.

The panel’s composition will represent a broad range of perspectives, professional expertise, diverse backgrounds, and organizational independence. Its charge will encompass a careful examination of the multiple factors that contribute to the campus climate regarding sexual violence, harassment, and intimidation.

Following its review, the panel will present a set of observations and recommendations to university leadership, focusing on both immediate and long-term changes to improve the university’s processes for prevention, response, and education on sexual misconduct, with the goal of creating a safer campus and a culture of dignity and respect for all students.

Composition
The panel will include seven to nine members external to the campus to be appointed jointly by the president, vice president for student affairs, and athletic director. Recommendations for panel members are being sought from the campus community. The overall composition of the panel shall represent the following areas of professional expertise and life experience among its members: Legal or judicial, executive-level student affairs and student conduct administration, sexual violence prevention and response advocacy, university enrollment management expertise, community leadership, Division I athletic experience, and representation from the University of Oregon Board of Trustees. The panel will draw upon additional expertise as needed throughout the review and evaluation process.

Charge
The panel will be charged with conducting a thorough review of the university’s practices, policies, and protocols that contribute to the prevention of and response to sexual violence on campus. The panel’s process should provide ample opportunity for public input and comment, and should consider the issue from a wide range of perspectives. This review will include, but not be limited to:

  • Evaluation of current practices and protocols for the prevention of sexual misconduct and support for those who have experienced it
  • Benchmarking of the UO’s practices and protocols in relation to those of our peer institutions
  • Review of the athletic department’s processes for evaluating prospective student-athletes
  • Review of life-skill education and support for students, including the communication of conduct expectations
  • One or more campus climate surveys with a focus on the UO’s prevention, response, and education culture regarding sexual misconduct
  • A follow-up review of the recent report commissioned by the Division of Student Affairs to assess the university’s sexual misconduct policies and procedures to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of those recommendations
  • Further refinement of the charge will be informed by the expertise of the panelists themselves

Process and Timing
Work is to begin immediately, with care taken to collect initial input from the campus community prior to the end of the spring term.

Please submit comments and suggestions to comments@uoregon.edu.