BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM – SUNY Potsdam is forming a Title IX task force and installing windows in the doors of all studio, practice rooms and faculty offices in the Crane School of Music Complex after students raised concerns about sexual crimes taking place on campus.

SUNY Potsdam has been working to address concerns raised in the wake of a protest held last week. Some students disclosed incidents that they say involved faculty members and took place at the Crane School of Music. Others said they felt their reporting wasn’t taken seriously and others still said they felt as if they had been barred from speaking about the incidents.

“I am writing to provide important updates on actions that we are taking as a campus to address these concerns. In addition to the efforts listed here, specific departments and units are also taking steps to address specific issues unique to each area,” SUNY Potsdam President Kristin Esterberg said in a campus-wide email.

Dr. Claudia Ford, interim chief diversity officer, agreed to chair the Title IX Task Force, which has been charged with reviewing processes, policies, resources, and training.

The training will focus on issues related to sexual discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, the email says.

“The task force has already been convened, and has divided into four subcommittees focused on student support, investigations, networking and training. Ways for students to serve on the task force will be clarified and communicated by April 23,” Esterberg said.

Esterberg said a key goal will be to review the college’s case coordination and processes on issues related to Title IX, to better understand how incidents are “reviewed, investigated and addressed, following federal and state law.”

Esterberg said no closed cases will be reopened though the review and confidentiality will be maintained.

She said the college will be seeking clarity on past practices and policies to “ensure that all reporting individuals are treated with respect and provided the information and support they need throughout the process.”

The task force includes Kelly Bonnar, Lauren Bruce, Deborah Conrad, Lauren Diamond-Brown, Claudia Ford, Gretchen Galbraith, Patrick Meldrim, Mark Misiak, Michael Popovic, Jessica Rogers, Anna Sorenson and Arlene Stillwell.

The college will also be searching for a candidate to fill a full-time Title IX coordinator.

In addition to the task force and review of cases, the college will be making physical changes to the Crane School of Music Complex.

Several of the complaints made by students were alleged to have taken place there.

“SUNY Potsdam will move forward with installing windows in the doors of all faculty/studio offices and practice rooms in the Crane School of Music Complex, beginning early this summer. This improvement had long been in the works but had been delayed due to pandemic. Based on feedback from all involved, we are expediting this as part of the ongoing Crane renovation project,” Esterberg said. “Interim Dean Dr. Lonel Woods took the lead on issuing best practices guidelines for faculty regarding applied lessons and studio, as Crane’s first step going forward, based on vital input from student leaders, as we work to rebuild trust and ensure that all can feel safe and respected.”

Anyone who previously went through the Title IX process but chose not to pursue a criminal investigation at that time may still choose to report to university police or law enforcement, according to Esterberg.

As list of places and means to report incidents can be found at https://www.potsdam.edu/about/safety/title-ix/reporting-options

She also encouraged any alumni interested in sharing past incidents or concerns to contact Melissa Proulx at atproulxme@potsdam.edu.

“As any new information is received, we will thoroughly investigate and take steps as warranted. We commit to providing detailed information to reporting individuals so that they understand their rights under federal law and state policy, and to demystify the distinctions between the different types of investigative processes and confidential disclosure options available.”