While attending Gustavus Adolphus College, it is important that all students are in a safe and welcoming environment.

The college has made significant progress in trying to inform students of by sending emails to the whole student body. Although that is an efficient way to let the campus know about such alarming events, the college has decided to take another huge step by hiring a new Title IX coordinator. This position’s goal will be to address and handle gender/sexuality discrimination on campus.

Therefore, it is an important job that the college has decided to implement through an extensive application process by interviewing people who have both experience in Title IX and those who do not.

The Title IX Coordinator will ensure that all Gustavus students do not feel threatened while at the school.

According to Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Director of the Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Program, Martin Lang, “The Title IX coordinator will do many things, including preparing educational materials and trainings for students and employees, processing complaints related to sexual misconduct on campus, reviewing and revising harassment policies, preparing reports to the campus on Title IX matters, and ensuring we are in compliance with Title IX in all ways.”

The Title IX coordinator will have many responsibilities that will be crucial to the well being of students at the college. They will make sure to inform students about exactly what is happening on campus. The main goal of this job is to educate others about the necessary issues that need to addressed.

This mainly consists of sexual assault. It is the Title IX coordinator’s goal that students become more informed, so they are not oblivious to anything. It is important that they have substantial knowledge about it, even if it’s not an easy subject to talk about.

The role of the Title IX coordinator will have a positive and impactful purpose in the Gustavus community as they will also be trying their best to handle any irresponsible mistreatment of students. That is what their main purpose is and the reason why the college has decided to have this position in the first place.

“I’m also hopeful that by employing an individual for whom Title IX is their responsibility, we continue to increase the knowledge base available for campus in this area.” – JoNes Van Hecke

There are already colleges across the nation who are  implementing this position because they recognize the urgency in trying to address these issues.

Gustavus has also realized how important this job is for the community at the college. As Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Life, Jones VanHecke said, “Currently we rely on many people to do the work that will be in the Coordinator’s position description.  For example, for the past 6 + years, we’ve tried multiple ways to coordinate sexual misconduct education and I believe that having an employee whose position description includes education will make a marked difference in moving forward these important efforts. I’m also hopeful that by employing an individual for whom Title IX is their responsibility, we continue to increase the knowledge base available for campus in this area.”

Therefore, the fact that someone will be able to have one job that focuses on one responsibility will make problem go away faster. The person who is currently responsible in trying to hire the position is Julie Klein, who is the AV Director. She has been numerous colleges and has talked about this prominent issue in today’s world.

Right off the bat, Julie has decided to make this one of her main causes in life. Last year at Gustavus, there were obviously heavy feelings and overwhelming passion over Title IX issues happening on campus.

In the job description, Gustavus is asking for more than what most colleges do. Instead of the coordinator just managing the process, the college is also asking them  how they will prevent it, which will ultimately lead to fewer issues.

“We really asked for a lot from this position, versus what other schools are doing. We also looked at what are some of our challenges for hiring this position. This is the hottest position being hired in higher education right now. Not only do you have to have it legally, but other schools are now being more progressive like we are and hiring a devoted person,” Klein said.