CU sexual misconduct policy gets refresh; feedback wanted

BoCo, briefly: your local news at a glance

By Kaylee Harter - July 10, 2024
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CU Boulder is revising its Title IX policy after new federal rules were released in May.

CU’s new Title IX policy

CU Boulder is seeking feedback on a revised sexual misconduct policy to be implemented Aug. 1.

Changes to the policy come after the U.S Department of Education released new Title IX rules in May, requiring universities to update their policies and processes. Title IX, passed in 1972, provides protections against sex-based discrimination in educational settings.

The new rules strengthen and expand protections for LGBTQ+ students as well as pregnant and parenting students, clarifying that sex discrimination “includes discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation and gender identity.”

They also require universities to promptly investigate allegations of sexual misconduct, a change from the 2020 Trump-era rules that got rid of a previous requirement to complete investigations within 60 days. Post-secondary schools are also no longer required to hold a live hearing with cross-examination for sexual harassment complaints.

Review the new policy and provide feedback by July 12 here.

BoCo’s plans for nature-based urban planning

The county is hoping to make its city planning greener by commissioning the creation of a guide for “eco-friendly designs to improve health and lower climate risks.”

The toolkit, which costs $50,000 and is funded by the county’s sustainability tax, will evaluate strategies like replacing lawns with native plants, creating rain gardens and green roofs, and converting paved areas to parks, grasslands and wetlands, according to a press release from the county.

“[Climate change’s] impacts are felt differently from place to place; what works for Lisbon might not work for Longmont — and frankly, what works in Longmont might not work ten miles away in Lyons,” Dede Croissant, Boulder County climate and circularity specialist, said in the release. “What’s exciting is that this toolkit will take inspiration from best practices around the world to develop local nature-based solutions that address the unique challenges facing our high plains and alpine communities.”

The toolkit is being developed by Denver-based landscape architectural firm Superbloom and is scheduled to be published in the fall of this year.

In other news…

• BoCo’s state primary results will be certified Thursday, July 11, though unofficial counts are in and not expected to change — view them at bit.ly/COPrimaryResultsBW. Less than a third of registered voters cast votes, according to Boulder County Elections. In-depth election data will be presented and the election finalized at the canvass board meeting July 11 at 2 p.m. RSVP to
[email protected].

• Last month was the hottest June in Boulder since 2012, according to National Weather Service data recorded at NCAR Foothills Lab. The average high temperature was 87.6 degrees. In 2012, the average high was 91.2 degrees. It was the second-hottest June on record for the Front Range behind 2012, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Heavener. Regional data is collected from Denver International Airport.

• CU Boulder’s new chancellor, Justin Schwartz, officially took the position Monday, July 1. Schwartz has a doctorate degree in nuclear engineering and most recently served as executive vice president and provost of Pennsylvania State University.

Looking for our weekly Gov’t Watch? Boulder City Council is on recess until July 25. Check out a preview of that meeting in last week’s Gov’t Watch here.

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