Changes could alter how colleges handle sexual assault allegations.
On Monday, President Biden sent orders to members of his administration to begin a review of the existing rules and regulations tied to Title IX enforcement by the executive branch. Title IX includes federal laws prohibiting sex discrimination on college campuses and has been used as the guideline for how campuses carry out investigations into sexual assault and harassment.
The president also signed an executive order creating the White House Gender Policy Council. Jennifer Klein, the executive director of the Council said during a press briefing, “The policy of this administration is that every individual, every student is entitled to a fair education — free of sexual violence — and that all involved have access to a fair process.” The Council is expected to move away from the previous administration’s definitions of key legal terms that included narrowing the actions that constitute sexual harassment.
A ranking member of the House education committee voiced concerns over the changes. “The right to due process is bigger than partisan politics,” said Representative Virginia Foxx of North Carolina. “By overturning these stakeholder-vetted, court supported rules, key protections for victims and the due process rights of the accused would be jeopardized.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- That God’s justice would be accomplished through the Title IX rules for colleges and students.
- For the White House to seek discerning and beneficial actions concerning gender policy.
- That God would lead Congress in responding to the actions of the president’s administration.
Sources: AP, NPR, CNN
