FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force releases Title IX report

BALTIMORE, Sept. 20, 2016The Central College Sexual Assault Prevention Task
Force released its final report on improvements to sexual assault and harassment policies. The
report is the first step the task force will take to address Title IX compliance.
Last year, Central College entered into a resolution agreement after the U.S. Department
of Educations Office of Civil Rights found Central College in violation of the Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972. The OCR determined that the Colleges current policies failed
to comply with Title IX requirements for prompt and equitable response to sexual assault and
harassment complaints.
"I am very pleased to bring to close one of our longest-running sexual violence
investigations, and I congratulate Central College for now committing to comply with Title IX
and immediately implement steps to provide a safe learning environment for its students," said
Catherine E. Lhamon, President of the Central College Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force.
Central College has taken direct steps to ensure that is responds to student complaints
promptly and equitably.
(more)

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During the investigation, the College revised its procedures and policies to afford appeal rights to
complainants, in compliance with Title IX. Under the terms of agreement, the College must:

Train staff and provide information sessions for students on new policies and procedures
Implement a mandatory sexual assault and harassment program for incoming freshman

students
Designate a Title IX supervisor within the Central College Sexual Assault Prevention
Task Force

For the safety of all students, staff and faculty, the task force will begin the implementation
process immediately. The policy and procedure changes will be in full effect at the start of the
2017 spring semester. The Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force is committed to upholding Title
IX requirements, said Lhamon.
About Central College:
Central College is the premier private liberal arts college in Baltimore, Maryland. With
highly ranked Business and English programs, the college boasts a Pulitzer Prize winning
journalist and three New York Times best-selling authors. The college is home to 6,585 students,
936 faculty and staff, and 47 academic programs. The Board of Trustees sees the institutions
nationally recognized eLearning program as the wave of the future. For more information
about Central College, visit www.centralcollege.edu
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Kelly Beecher, Public Relations Director
301-529-3430
kelly.beecher@gmail.com

Guide to Strategy
Plan of Attack

Why am I writing this?

I am writing this press release to alert Central Colleges audience members that Title IX
complaints have been addressed, and that the college is in the process of implementing

policies to ensure the issue does not happen again.

Who is my audience?
My audience is comprised of both current and prospective students, faculty & staff, and
alumni of the college. My student audience specifically comprises those students who
were affected by the lapse in proper policy procedures.

Who am I sending it to?

This type of press release would be suitable to put on the colleges website. We would
also send it to members of the local media.
Why?
This release was necessary to give our audience a sense of security and to reassure them
that the college is working to address Title IX complaints. A release like this works to
restore their confidence in the colleges abilities.

Kelly Beecher Sept. 20, 2016 COMM351 010