Elizabethtown College has a mission to foster a safe and secure environment for students and faculty. They believe in encouraging moral and intellectual growth in support of the College’s motto, “Educate for Service.” A wide variety of educational programs and support departments aid school members in maintaining a safe environment. Title IX is a prime example of a key resource on campus that offers guidance and support to students who experiences or has experienced sex-based discrimination.
The Title IX program on campus is launching a new resource for students called Restorative Practices. On Nov. 1, the office held a “Restorative Practices Power Hour” meeting as an informational session on restorative practices. Title IX coordinators informed attendees of the restorative practices that are launching in the spring and how students can get involved.
Deputy Title IX Coordinator Gabbie Reed shared how the new practices offer an alternative direction for students looking to receive help. The restorative practices are a type of informal conference where students can receive the help they need without formally completing a regulated Title IX process. Students are encouraged to become trained in restorative practices to help facilitate difficult conversations for those who experience harm and are seeking help. The trained students will offer a safe outlet for affected students to confide in, as many are reluctant to seek out administrative help. If you’re interested in being trained in restorative practices, you should reach out to Reed at reedg@etown.edu. The training sessions will take place on Jan. 23 and 30 and Feb. 6.
The Title IX offices on campus are located on the second floor of the Baugher Student Center in rooms 208 and 210. Reed and Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator Nichole Gonzalez are both very resourceful tools for students dealing with gender discrimination, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and other sexual misconduct behaviors. A large majority of their job is actively listening to students about what they are experiencing on campus and proactively taking steps to ensure a safer and secure environment around campus.
It’s important to the Title IX office that students are aware of the resources available to them. Information shared with Title IX is confidential, and they will provide any feedback and guidance requested. If a friend or peer is experiencing any type of discrimination, Reed said, “One of the best things you can do is not tell someone’s story for them.”
If you are looking to help a friend or peer who has been hurt, Reed and Gonzalez are the professionals from whom you should seek help.
Every Wednesday at 4 p.m., Reed hosts “Crafts and Conversations” in the Bird Cages. These events are open to all students and allows students to provide feedback related to Title IX matters including discrimination issues and other problems around campus. It also gives Reed the opportunity to meet and build relationships with students while also informing them about the resources available on campus. During this time, Reed can bridge the gaps between the known and unknown facts of Title IX. As the semester comes to an end there are four more craft nights to look forward to on Nov. 9, 16, 23 and 30. Students can expect to hear conversations of student success, diversity and equity and feeling prepared for the holidays while they create some fun crafts.
The Title IX offices on campus are working hard to provide additional resources to students across campus to help them feel secure and comfortable having difficult conversations which may include sexual assault, retaliation, dating violence and sexual harassment. The coordinators have all the resources needed to help facilitate these conversations and help students take proper steps in the right direction. The restorative practices program will help the student body significantly as an alternative outlet for students experiencing such difficulties.
“With sexual misconduct, you are not in control of what happens to you,” Reed said. “You have control of your story and what you want to see happen next. This is a way of giving that person control back.”
