The Exact Opposite of What They Need." Administrator Reflections on Sexual Misconduct

Abstract

In 2011 the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights released additional guidance to colleges and universities on how they should handle campus sexual harassment and assault. Since that time institutions of higher education have been under significant pressure to improve their processes. This qualitative study adds to this conversation, expanding the knowledge base to include information, observation, and insight from 21 administrators who work closely with the student conduct response to campus sexual misconduct. Specifically, this study explores what Title IX staff, conduct officers, and advocates/advisors from 3 large public institutions, 1 midsize public institution, and 4 small private colleges want and need from a campus conduct response to student sexual misconduct. It also examines their perspectives on survivor/victim and campus community expectations of the adjudication process and explores the possibility of adding restorative justice to the list of options available to campus officials negotiating this complex landscape.