7.28.22 - Title IX Task Force Update

Dear Campus Community,

I want to provide an update on the important work that our Title IX Task Force is currently undertaking. As the task force chair, I am honored to work alongside many dedicated individuals to better understand and assess our opportunities for improvement and support for our campus community. 

The task force formally began its work in May with our charge from President Jiménez-Sandoval, followed by a multi-day retreat and weekly meetings throughout the summer months. We have gained a foundational understanding of the policies, as well as challenges and opportunities for the entire CSU system. We have created sub-groups to look at specific areas of priority:

• Process
• Prevention, education and training
• Policy
• Communication and web presence 

Our goal is to focus on each area individually and make well-informed and impactful recommendations. 

Together, we look forward to building on our collective knowledge and expertise. The Task Force is working alongside Cozen O’Connor, an external consulting firm contracted by the Chancellor’s Office, to review campus and systemwide processes. We expect to share an update with our preliminary findings and recommendations by the end of the fall semester.

We are committed to working together to build a culture that improves the credibility of our institutional process and procedures while also restoring trust in the systems that are designed to protect and advocate for our students, faculty, and staff.  

As an expert in victimology, this work is both profoundly personal and meaningful to me. I want to reassure each of you that the critical next steps for our university are underway, and I am confident that together, we can build a culture of inclusivity and respect at Fresno State.

I look forward to continuing collaboration, conversation and sharing meaningful updates in the coming months. 

Sincerely,

Bernadette Muscat, Ph.D.

Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Title IX Task Force Chair