Review of Georgetown Title IX case referenced in Inside Higher Ed

A May 2013 article in Inside Higher Ed discusses Otterbein University's recent decision to discontinue using a form that required victims, perpetrators, and witnesses to a sexual assault investigation to "not share information." Students perceived the document to be a nondisclosure agreement and questioned why alleged victims were being told not to discuss their cases. Let's Not Talk About It referenced a review of a 2004 OCR investigation at Georgetown University written by Brett A. Sokolow, Esq., President & CEO of The NCHERM Group. The review explicitly identifies these actions as Clery Act violations: The Clery Act mandates that complainants be told of the outcomes of any sanctions of any hearing based on their complaint of sexual assault. No condition, limitation, or confidentiality requirement may interfere with that mandate.

Behavior intervention team model implemented at NJC with help of NaBITA

An April 2013 news article from the Journal-Advocate celebrates the implementation of a behavioral intervention team at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. The team presented what they learned at a recent NaBITA training to the institution's Advisory Council. NJC representatives discussed how the NaBITA Threat Assessment Model taught their team to assess students based on risk and distress. Steve Smith, Dean of Student Services, described the approach as "caring… but preventative." 

Brett A. Sokolow, Esq. discusses perceived improvements to "garden variety" sexual assault cases

Brett A. Sokolow, Esq., President & CEO of The NCHERM Group, discussed perceived improvements to "garden variety" sexual assault cases in "Notre Dame University and the complexities of sexual assault cases." He goes on to comment that "the old rules still apply if [the alleged assailant is] a star athlete or student president... Corruption still exists in those cases."

Brett A. Sokolow, Esq. comments on risk management for national fraternities

Brett A. Sokolow, Esq., President & CEO of The NCHERM Group, commented on the lackluster risk management for local and national fraternities in "Frats Worse Than Animal House Fail to Pay for Casualties," a Bloomberg News article. Sokolow describes the intransigence of these organizations: “They want to wash their hands of the problem and say it’s their brothers’ fault, it’s their chapters’ fault. These are million-dollar organizations that sponsor activities that are harmful.”

W. Scott Lewis, J.D. comments on the intersection of threat management and social media

NCHERM Group Partner W. Scott Lewis, J.D. was quoted in "Posting a Threat" in an October 2012 University Business article. The piece highlights how colleges and universities can act on social media cues effectively.

Saunie Schuster, Esq. discusses recent "wake-up calls" in Diverse Issues in Higher Education

Saunie Schuster, Esq., Partner at The NCHERM Group, was interviewed in "Organizations Work to Raise Awareness to Prevent Rape," in Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Schuster commented on what was describe as the vortex of wake-up calls to campus officials by saying, “The fact that the OCR began doing voluntary compliance reviews and not merely responding to a complaint communicated to schools that they were serious about the enforcement of the Title IX Guidance.”

Saunie Schuster, Esq. comments on the most recent Dear Colleague Letter

Saunie Schuster, Esq., Partner at The NCHERM Group, is quoted in an article by Campus Safety Magazine that discusses the implications the new Dear Colleague Letter has on K12 schools. Schuster comments that the new letter encourages K-12 schools to take a broader view that expands beyond discrimination to address sexual violence and is another step on the part of the Department of Education to reinforce that they are on the same page as the Department of Justice in promoting and supporting sexual violence reduction efforts.