Investigation discovers 'mistrust of senior management' in CSU system's handling of Title IX claims

FRESNO, Calif. (BNN)-- The law practice tasked with investigating the CSU system'& #x 27; s Title IX application launched a new report on Wednesday.
In a nearly hour-long discussion, agents from Cozen O'& #x 27; Conner, the law office employed to finish the evaluation of all 23 CSU campuses and the chancellor'& #x 27; s workplace, detailed their findings.
There were 5 core concerns, the very first found the CSU system just doesn'& #x 27; t have enough resources in place to not just investigate Title IX claims but avoid them from taking place in the first place.
"" Individuals that are overloaded with excessive duty are concentrating on the fires and, as an effect, all the other things are just leading and dissolving to a lack of trust in the system,"" Cozen O'& #x 27; Connor & #x 27; s Institutional Response Group Chair Gina Maisto Smith said.
The second finding was significant gaps in the avoidance and awareness programs.
Saying throughout every campus, the work was being done when required, instead of collaborated and purposefully.
The 3rd finding found concerns over the reaction to people reporting a one-time event potentially based on gender or race that didn'& #x 27; t reach the level of an infraction.
"" And they walked away, felt underserved, had no action, and didn'& #x 27; t understand where to go or what to do," Smith said.
Researchers found there was mistrust of senior leadership, in part, stemming from the widely advertised criticism of the then-president of Fresno State, Joseph Castro'& #x 27; s managing of harassment allegations.
There were likewise concerns with the compliance processes throughout multiple universities.
"" We like to say in 100% of the cases that your system or university examines, at least 50% will leave feeling unheard, discontented, or unserved by the process and - when they do - they no longer blame one another, but back at the procedure,"" Cozen O'& #x 27; Connor & #x 27; s Institutional Response Group Vice Chair Leslie Gomez.
The law firm says all of those concerns intertwined and developed responsibility problems such as underreporting, a fairly small portion of cases that are officially investigated, and lengthy disciplinary procedures.
Recommendations were offered on each finding but general revealed the requirement for more personnel, funding, and training on Title IX and discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
It also suggested a standalone center with qualified, skilled detectives and hearing officers that would be supervised by the chancellor'& #x 27; s workplace, and available to all campuses.
The chair of the CSU Board of Trustees Wenda Fong said they are devoted to progressing in the best direction.
"" I know that I speak for my fellow board members that we are completely combined to support the institution of modification,"" Fong said.
The report Wednesday was a broad overlay of the findings.
A formal, written report will be released next month.
That will include findings for each specific campus, consisting of Fresno State.