Dive Brief:
- In a Senate education committee hearing tied to reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, members heard from higher ed leaders about how to tackle the complex issue of campus sexual assault.
- Three main themes rose to the fore, including requiring campuses to designate a confidential adviser, which supporters said could be a trusted source to guide students through all of their reporting options but critics said would be an easy target for subpoenas.
- Senators also heard testimony about cooperation with local police agencies, discussing the possibility of requiring active partnerships, and legislation that would protect the accused in sexual assault cases.
Dive Insight:
Senators in the committee meeting this week seemed sensitive to the idea that mandated policy from the federal level could tie the hands of campus actors in ways that may not benefit students. The meeting was an information-seeking opportunity for Senators to hear how legislative proposals would be received by campuses. When it comes to cooperating with police, the head of the National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and Professionals said legislation would be needed to force local departments to get involved with the campuses. Yet, University of California System President Janet Napolitano urged flexible federal legislation that wouldn’t interfere with existing best practices on campuses.