吃瓜网

Title IX is a short and simple federal law that reads: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

While the college works to rehire a candidate to the position of Director of Equity and Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, we have enlisted the help of two experts—who will be largely working remotely—to ensure that this important work continues and that all members of the community are well supported in the interim. 

Lori Makin-Byrd (left) has worked in student and employee support at higher education institutions for more than 10 years. Currently, she serves as an interim and permanent Title IX Coordinator and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Administrator at both small and large colleges and universities. She previously served as the Senior Advisor to the President for Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator at the College of Wooster. In this role, she oversaw college-wide Title IX compliance and served as the main contact point for students, faculty and staff who experienced or had been accused of engaging in gender-based discrimination, harassment or violence. 

Joan Cook (right) has more than 12 years of experience in higher education and civil rights compliance including Title VI, Title IX, Clery and FERPA as well as extensive knowledge of related guidance and standards. Cook has spent her higher education career working in a small-town, four-year institution as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Student Conduct Administrator and in a large urban community college as a Title IX Coordinator and leading a comprehensive compliance office. She also served as a member of the Behavioral Intervention Team at both institutions. 

To access support or to report an instance of sexual misconduct or discrimination, email either Makin-Byrd (makinbyrdl@whitman.edu) or Cook (cookj2@whitman.edu) directly or use the processes that are in place as outlined on our Title IX webpage and our Bias Report and Response webpage.