Content Warning—Message mentions sexual misconduct.

February 18, 2022

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I am writing to let you know that the College’s review of sexual misconduct on campus will begin next week.
As you know, we have enlisted the services of Gina Maisto Smith and Leslie Gomez of Cozen O’Connor, national experts on the issue of sexual misconduct on college campuses. Gina and Leslie’s work here will be focused on understanding and analyzing how the Amherst College culture affects students’ experiences; the efficacy of the College’s prevention, intervention, and response efforts; the many ways that sexual misconduct affects our community; and the reasons survivors may be reluctant to share their experiences with the College.
Listening to and learning from members of our community will be a crucial part of this work and the first step that the Cozen O’Connor team will take, beginning next week. What follows is a breakdown of how we will proceed. More information is available on the Spring 2022 Community Sexual Respect and Sexual Misconduct Review webpage.

The Cozen O’Connor team will:

  • Offer open, drop-in sessions for students, the first of which will take place on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, as follows:

9-10 a.m. — Virtual Session (Zoom link)12-1 p.m.—Multicultural Resource Center, Keefe Campus Center
2-3 p.m. — Kesselhaut Room, Frost Library
4-5 p.m. — Founders Room, Alumni Gymnasium
6-7 p.m. — Virtual Session (Zoom link)

Future sessions will be announced in the Daily Mammoth and on the Spring 2022 Community Sexual Respect and Sexual Misconduct Review webpage.

  • Make outreach to community members who have worked with the Title IX or Community Standards offices or participated in trainings with the Sexual Respect Education Office in order to learn about their experiences.
  • Offer open sessions for faculty and staff and attend some existing faculty and staff meetings to collect critical input.
  • For those who may not be comfortable attending an in-person listening session, Cozen O’Connor will offer an online platform that will allow you to submit your perspective, observations, and feedback anonymously. That platform will be available starting next week; access information will be available on the Spring 2022 Community Sexual Respect and Sexual Misconduct Review webpage. Alternatively, you may request a telephone call or Zoom meeting with a team member from Cozen O’Connor or email comments and observations directly to Gina (gmsmith@cozen.com) or Leslie (lgomez@cozen.com).

In order to develop a full understanding of this complicated and critically important issue, Gina and Leslie will need to hear from as many of you as possible. We know these conversations are difficult, but they go to the heart of our commitment as a community to a culture of well-being, respect, responsibility, and accountability. Thank you in advance for taking part.

Sincerely,
Biddy