Early Bird

A message from the vice president for Administration/COO

Changes to federal Title IX regulations have required changes to required University training.

November 23, 2020

Dear faculty and staff:

Changes to federal Title IX regulations have required changes to our required University training. This note explains the changes and individual responsibilities related to those changes.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is committed to maintaining welcoming, safe and accessible environments for students, staff, faculty, visitors, guests, vendors, contractors and others. Everyone who studies, works, recreates or attends public events on our campuses or participates in a University program or activity should be able to do so free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying, consistent with University policies that seek to uphold state and federal laws.

To advance this goal, we partner with one of the risk-management industry leaders, EverFi, to provide required compliance and prevention training to our faculty and staff through their online trainings. I am pleased to announce that EverFi has updated its courses and teaching platform, now called Foundry, to provide you with engaging content and flexibility to access the courses across multiple devices. 

The Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education recently issued new regulations related to Title IX, which is a federal statute that prohibits discrimination in education institutions based on sex. These new regulations became effective Aug. 14 and required all colleges and universities to revise their respective policies and procedures. Some incidents of sexual misconduct will be regarded as Title IX cases, while others will be addressed through the Student Code of Conduct. All cases of discrimination and sexual misconduct will continue to be taken seriously, investigated and addressed by MSU Denver, as appropriate. Look for additional information in an upcoming Early Bird and a related FAQ document. 

All new employees will take the revised EverFi trainings via Foundry, which also takes into account the new Title IX rules, as of Tuesday. All other employees will take these new trainings within the next two years when they are scheduled to retake them, as required of all employees. If you wish to take the new trainings sooner, which I encourage everyone to do, you may do so voluntarily. You will find the single sign-on on the Office of Equal Opportunity webpages.  

Remember, all MSU Denver employees shall take the following online courses every two years:

• Accommodating Disabilities; and
• Preventing Harassment and Discrimination.  

All employees shall take the following course every year, as required by Colorado state law:

• Data Security and Privacy.

Our goal as a University community continues to be to foster accessible environments that recognize every individual’s worth and potential, convey respect for all and ensure everyone’s safety and dignity. I am committed to this goal, and I know you share my resolve. Our institution prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination. We believe that education is the most effective way to promote a harassment-free and welcoming campus. 

Please visit the Required University Trainings site at www.msudenver.edu/eoo/requireduniversitytrainings. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, which administers these trainings, by calling 303-615-2062 or email Amanda Miracle, equity specialist, at amiracl1@msudenver.edu.

Thank you for taking the time to become informed about these important issues.

Sincerely, 

Larry Sampler, Vice President for Administration/COO