Report 2022-109 Recommendation 9 Responses

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

Recommendation #9 To: University, California State

To more effectively communicate the status of cases to the parties involved, the Chancellor's Office should amend CSU's sexual harassment policy by January 2025 to include specific requirements for campuses to provide regular status updates to complainants and respondents unless those parties request not to receive them. These updates should also communicate the outcomes of cases, including any associated disciplinary or corrective actions, to the extent possible under law. The Chancellor's Office should also consider developing or requiring campuses to develop a method for allowing complainants and respondents to check the status of their specific cases at any time through an online portal, dashboard, or similar means.

1-Year Agency Response

The Chancellor's Office is currently updating the nondiscrimination policy, which includes expectations for providing case status updates to parties. The draft nondiscrimination policy includes specific requirements for campuses to provide regular status updates to complainants and respondents every 30 days unless those parties request not to receive them. The draft nondiscrimination policy is undergoing stakeholder review and is expected to be issued in August 2024. As the Chancellor's Office is preparing to procure a systemwide electronic case management system, we have requested that vendors specify whether their system allows the parties to check the status of their specific cases at any time.

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

6-Month Agency Response

The Chancellor's Office is developing guidance regarding expectations for providing case status updates to parties.

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

60-Day Agency Response

The Chancellor's Office Nondiscrimination Policy workgroup met in August 2023 to discuss amendments to CSU's sexual harassment policy that will require campuses to provide regular status updates to complainants and respondents.

The Nondiscrimination Policy will be revised after the release of the new Title IX regulations (expected in late 2023 or early 2024).

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

All Recommendations in 2022-109

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.