Organizational Structure Change for Office of Access, Equity, and Title IX

Dear members of the Emerson community,

As you know, over the last several years the College has, and continues to be, committed to an examination of its processes regarding our prevention, response, and management of power-based interpersonal violence.

As a part of the College’s efforts for continual improvement in this area, we would like to announce a change in organizational structure for the Office of Access, Equity, & Title IX at Emerson College. Informed by recommendations from the College’s Presidential Working Group (convened in 2019), analysis by the President’s Council, and examination of established best practices, the College has determined that the Office of Access, Equity, and Title IX should and will be a stand-alone office reporting to the Vice President and Dean for Campus Life.  This change will be immediate, but may be reviewed under the guidance of a new president in the future.

As a stand-alone division, the Office of Access, Equity, & Title IX will continue its important work to receive reports and investigate matters relating to power-based interpersonal violence and is expected to further broaden its scope to address reports of additional instances of discrimination.

The Social Justice Center will continue to be home for the Healing & Advocacy Collective, the Elma Lewis Center for Community Engagement, and Diversity Initiatives and Special Projects, as well as the lead collaboration unit for the College’s advancements of the Community Equity Action Plan. The Healing & Advocacy Collective will continue to support survivors of power-based interpersonal violence as they move through the processes outlined in College policies administered by the Office of Access, Equity, & Title IX.

This change will also allow the Social Justice Center to grow in its core work and will sharpen the focus of the Vice President for Equity & Social Justice role, as we embark on a search to fill that vital leadership position within our community.

In addition, Emerson College is currently conducting searches for an Associate Vice President/ Title IX Coordinator, and a Deputy Title IX Coordinator/Investigator, both of which will reside within the Office of Access, Equity, & Title IX. These changes to organizational structure will enable the College to better center the priorities of the office, our processes, and support of our community as these important roles are filled.

Thank you for your continued support as we develop these important roles, all with a concerted effort toward continual improvement and positive change at Emerson College.

Sincerely,
William P. Gilligan, Interim President

President’s Council Members:
Meredith Ainbinder, Vice President and General Counsel
Paul Dworkis, Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer
James Hoppe, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life
David C. Howse, Stephen G. Langley Chair & Vice President for the Office of the Arts; Executive Director, ArtsEmerson
Margaret Ann Ings, Vice President for Government and Community Relations
Ruthanne Madsen, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Interim Supervisor of the Social Justice Center
John Malcolm, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Jan Roberts-Breslin, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Allison Sampson, Vice President and Executive Director, Emerson Los Angeles
Anne Shaughnessy, Vice President and Special Assistant to the President