Keesha Mitchell, JD, will join the university as interim associate vice president for the Office of Institutional Equity, effective Nov. 23.
Keesha is a tested and capable public servant, who has served for the last 21 years in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. For the last 10 years, Keesha has been the chief of the health care fraud section, where she has supervised a staff of 120 that included attorneys, investigators and administrative personnel.
In May 2020, the U.S. Department of Education announced new Title IX regulations governing how federally funded schools address incidents of sexual harassment among students, faculty and staff. Ohio State recently revised two interim university policies and a faculty rule to comply with the regulations, which took effect Aug. 14. The revisions update definitions, supportive measures, procedures for intake, investigation, informal and formal resolutions, adjudication, corrective action/sanctioning and appeals.
Molly Peirano, director of education and engagement, has been appointed to the additional role of interim Title IX coordinator. She succeeds Kellie Brennan, who has accepted a position at the University of California, Berkeley.
The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) initiated interim revisions to the university policy pertaining to Activities and Programs with Minor Participants to provide guidance for units that are using virtual delivery, an aspect previously not covered by the policy.
The updated interim policy was approved by the president’s cabinet and took effect May 12, 2020.
The policy outlines what is required of adults who work in activities and programs with minors, and informs individuals of their reporting obligations in instances of known or suspected child abuse or neglect of minors.
As of Aug. 1, policy updates will take effect that reflect the Office of Institutional Equity’s role as Ohio State’s centralized report-and-response office for all forms of harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct..
Institutional Equity now houses the university’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Protection of Minors and Title IX functions.
Policies with interim revisions include:
Sexual Misconduct: The interim revised policy will include updated definitions and a new process to direct reports of sexual misconduct to the Office of Institutional Equity. Starting Aug. 1, all reports must go to this...
The Ohio State University has named Katherine M. Lasher as the associate vice president for the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), a key leadership position with oversight of the university’s response to reports of sexual- and gender-based harassment, violence and other forms of discrimination and harassment.
Ryan Schmiesing, vice provost for the Office of Outreach and Engagement, updated members of the Board of Trustees Audit and Compliance Committee last week on Ohio State’s continuing efforts to build a best-in-class model Title IX program.
Schmiesing said the new office, currently titled the Office of Institutional Equity, was created following a review with the help of nationally recognized experts from the law firm Cozen O’Connor. He said the university is in the final stages of a national search for a leader for the office and expects an appointment announcement in “the coming weeks.” The new...
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University announced today the creation of a centralized office for responding to sexual- and gender-based harassment, violence and other forms of discrimination and harassment. This centralized report-and-response office provides informed and compassionate responses to students, faculty and staff impacted by discrimination and harassment. The office provides a dedicated system to assist members of the university community who have experienced, witnessed or are aware of sexual misconduct, have questions about the university’s Sexual Misconduct Policy or are seeking more information about resources or reporting options.
“The university will continue to focus on advancing our...
