Title IX & The Student Experience

From athletes and pregnant students to addressing sexual assault and dating violence, Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government. One would assume the importance of Title IX, student conduct processes, and mediation in the student experience would mean every university has someone like Stacey Rose, but that simply isn’t true. In this episode, we learn about the day-to-day roles student conduct offices play and how truly amazing Stacey is in ensuring students feel supported regardless of the reason they ended up in her office.

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Key Takeaways

• Empathy is the Key to Engagement: Effective student conduct processes focus on fairness, listening, and holistic support rather than punitive outcomes.
• Wellness is Multifaceted: Supporting students’ wellness dimensions—including mental, social, and academic—helps them thrive on campus.
• Proactive Communication Builds Trust: Introducing student resources at touchpoints like orientation and welcome week fosters early connections and awareness.
• Digital Transformation Enhances Student Experience: Automating administrative processes reduces stress for students and staff, leading to better outcomes.
• Peer Educators are Powerful Advocates: Leveraging trained students to educate their peers improves the effectiveness of wellness and conduct initiatives.

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Episode Summary

Breaking Down Title IX and Student Conduct

Stacey Rose begins by explaining the critical role of Title IX, which ensures equitable access to education by addressing sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and support for pregnant or parenting students. As an Assistant Director for Student Conduct, she also oversees behavioral interventions and provides case management for students facing challenges.

Her approach is grounded in empathy and fairness, focusing on educational rather than punitive measures. When students enter her office—whether for conduct violations, conflicts, or concerns about their safety—Stacey emphasizes collaboration and support. She frames these moments as opportunities for growth and connection, helping students navigate challenges while maintaining their dignity.

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The Role of Communication in Student Success

Stacey highlights how proactive communication is essential for ensuring students know where to turn when they need help. Her efforts begin during orientation, where she introduces herself and explains the role of her office in supporting students. By fostering trust early on, students are more likely to seek her out for assistance, even in challenging situations.

Additionally, Stacey collaborates with her campus's marketing team to maintain an up-to-date website and engages in innovative outreach like interactive skits during welcome week. These human-centered approaches help demystify her office, making it approachable and accessible to students who might otherwise feel intimidated.

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Leveraging Technology for Better Outcomes

The pandemic accelerated her office’s transition to digital processes, enabling Stacey and her team to automate time-consuming administrative tasks like paperwork and record-keeping. By integrating tools like Zoom for virtual meetings and leveraging their Maxient database for case management, the office can now focus more on personal interactions with students.

Interestingly, this digital shift has also improved the student experience. Automating forms and records eliminates unnecessary stress for students already navigating difficult situations. This streamlined approach ensures students feel supported and respected during their interactions with the conduct office.

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The Power of Peer Education

Drawing on her background in health and wellness, Stacey advocates for the use of peer educators to deliver impactful programming. Students are more receptive to messages from their peers, who share their lived experiences and understand their challenges.

Whether addressing wellness topics, conducting social norming campaigns, or offering workshops on behavioral expectations, peer educators provide relatable and effective support. Stacey also facilitates community-building for nontraditional students through Facebook groups and virtual events, recognizing their unique needs and fostering connections.

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The Application is brought to you by RahRah- a Community Engagement system that provides a simple solution to give your students the inclusive and supportive experience they need to thrive. Rah Rah integrates your entire campus so students can enjoy a single, centralized, mobile experience that will help them create stronger connections between their work inside and outside of the classroom.

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