The search for a new coordinator for the Office of Title IX will begin at the end of this month, and a final decision will be made by the end of the fall semester, according to Meghan Harte Weyant, assistant vice president of student affairs and dean of students.
Throughout the fall, three to four candidates will be chosen from a national search to meet students, faculty, and staff.
“My hope is that we’ll have an open forum for the candidate to present at and for students to give feedback to,” Weyant said.
The interview process’ timing may help to involve more first-year students whose introduction to the office remains a recent memory, having completed an informational session on Title IX during orientation.
Additionally, having a coordinator exclusive to the office may make students feel more comfortable.
Lauren Rouse (‘22) said that approaching Weyant is “a little more intimidating, I guess, since it’s not her only role.”
Weyant currently serves as the interim Title IX Coordinator in light of the former coordinator, Oriana Jiménez, leaving Rollins in August.
The role is set to experience some changes regarding meeting every student’s Title IX needs—providing equal resources to both the reporting and responding parties.
Weyant affirmed that it is important for the next coordinator to still engage other student support arenas. Jiménez actively participated in campus initiatives centered on gender and inclusion throughout her time at Rollins, serving on its Diversity Council and hosting the Rally Against Violence each April.
“Oriana was [an] incredible advocate for gender and inclusion on-campus… and we’re going to be working very closely with centers at the college like the Lucy Cross, Center for Inclusion and Campus Involvement, and Wellness Center to strengthen advocacy work in those areas,” Weyant said.
Simultaneously, “[We] want to make sure that our Title IX Coordinator is someone who all students will feel comfortable working with,” she said.
In the meantime, students with Title IX needs can contact The Office of Student and Family Care as well as Weyant and the Dean of Students Office. Students needing timely support can contact titleix@rollins.edu or (407) 691-1773.
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