Report 2022-109 Recommendation 3 Responses

Report 2022-109: California State University: It Did Not Adequately or Consistently Address Some Allegations of Sexual Harassment (Release Date: July 2023)

Recommendation #3 To: University, California State

To ensure that campuses' determinations about sexual harassment are consistent and appropriate, the Chancellor's Office should create and disseminate written guidance by July 2024 that provides a framework for how investigators should interpret each component of CSU's sexual harassment definition and how they should determine whether alleged conduct meets that definition. The guidance should include specific examples as necessary.

1-Year Agency Response

In June 2024, the Chancellor's Office issued guidance for Title IX / Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation (DHR) practitioners that provides a framework to assist with investigators' interpretation of each component of the definition of sexual harassment. The guidance includes specific examples.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented

The Chancellor's Office's guidance includes a framework for how investigators should interpret each component of CSU's sexual harassment definition and how investigators should determine whether alleged conduct meets that definition. The guidance also includes examples. This new guidance implements our recommendation.

6-Month Agency Response

The Chancellor's Office is developing written guidance that provides a framework for how investigators should interpret each component of CSU's sexual harassment definition and how they should determine whether alleged conduct meets that definition. The written guidance will include specific examples as necessary. A first draft of the guidance is expected to be completed by March 1, 2024.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

60-Day Agency Response

Through its Nondiscrimination Policy workgroup, the Chancellor's Office will create and disseminate written guidance that provides a framework for how investigators should interpret each component of CSU's sexual harassment definition and how they should determine whether alleged conduct meets that definition. The written guidance will include specific examples as necessary. The workgroup is currently meeting twice per month; meeting frequency will be increased as necessary.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2022-109

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.