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Eastern issues TNG Consulting group’s report on Title IX

June 30, 2021

Dear Colleague:

Today Eastern Connecticut State University released a report by the TNG Consulting group following TNG’s independent review of the University’s Title IX practices and procedures. The report summarizes an extensive, two-month review of Eastern’s Title IX processes as well as related University and Board of Regents policies. The evaluation by TNG, a nationally recognized leader in Title IX, included an assessment of applicable documents, policies, and website content; an examination of reported cases over the past five years; the review of candid confidential student submissions; and interviews with students, alumni and employees.

The report found that Eastern needs stronger leadership in the office managing Title IX, as well as improved systems for supporting student reporting of sexual misconduct and providing timely response and resolution of individual cases. This includes role clarification; more effective training programs for first responders, and prevention training for all members of the campus community; clearer communications regarding reporting options for students; and a better, technology-based system for documenting and tracking cases.

I want to acknowledge the TNG Consulting team for conducting a thorough, impartial and professional review of our Title IX practices and procedures. Our goal in contracting with TNG was to create a safer campus environment and a stronger Title IX system to protect our students and other members of the campus community.

Using a nationally recognized firm to conduct an independent review of our Title IX practices has resulted in a clear set of findings on how to improve our systems and better serve our students. We will use TNG’s recommendations to guide us in moving forward to meet those goals, working with earnest to improve the level of trust on our campus and the quality of the Title IX services we provide students.

TNG’s first recommendation is to strengthen the leadership in our Office of Equity and Diversity, which manages Title IX at Eastern. I have moved quickly to respond to this recommendation. This past Friday I announced the appointment of Dr. LaMar Coleman as the new vice president for equity and diversity, who will be tasked with quickly naming an interim Title IX coordinator while we conduct a national search for a permanent candidate. The fact we have elevated Dr. Coleman’s position to a vice presidency and created a new full-time position to coordinate our Title IX programs is an immediate and strong first step toward addressing the issues raised in the TNG report.

I am equally committed to the prompt implementation of the other recommendations found in the report. I am confident that the hiring action I have taken and our commitment to implementing TNG’s recommendations will positively impact the safety of our students, the trust they place in Eastern, and the transparency and effectiveness of our Title IX practices.

As we move quickly to implement the recommendations found in the TNG report, I want to thank members of the campus community and our other constituents for their patience and support. Working together, we can make our Title IX systems stronger.

You can read the complete TNG report here.

Elsa Núñez
President

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Title IX Updates

Stay informed on Title IX For updates on Eastern's Title IX guidelines, procedures, and related information, visit https://www.easternct.edu/title-ix/
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