New Title IX Coordinator Brings Hope for Change at Monmouth College

*Trigger warning: discussion of sexual assault*

In the past, some students at Monmouth College have reported negative experiences with the Title IX office, but this year, under new coordination, the Title IX office begins more programming, presentations, and student engagement.

Opal Rose, an upperclassman student at Monmouth College, is a survivor of campus sexual assault. She asked to use the pseudonym “Opal Rose” to remain anonymous to protect her privacy and safety on this sensitive topic. Rose’s experience was not uncommon to those experienced by sexual assault survivors at colleges and universities across the nation. 

“I definitely had a not great experience with Title IX last semester under the last coordinator. I just felt very unheard. I feel like the best way to describe it is, I felt like I was screaming, and they couldn’t hear me,” said Rose.

This semester Lori Ferguson took over as the Equity, Title IX/Title VI coordinator.  “I want to do more programming. I know in the past, the Title IX coordinator, that wasn’t her only responsibility, so it was kind of hard to do extra things to bring awareness. With the peer educators, we’re trying to plan events at least once every two months, if not every month. I would like to see some of the statistics go down on our campus,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson’s excitement is already evident for students like Rose. “I’m more looking forward to what Lori’s going to do in her position and the programming that she’s going to do. She’s talked about that she’s gonna do presentations for residence halls… She said she was gonna do a consent training,” said Rose.

As Title IX coordinator, Ferguson receives any kind of complaint regarding harassment, discrimination, sexual assault, sexual discrimination, or stalking. She works with the complainants to resolve the matter through either the informal or formal process. Along with receiving reports, the Title IX office offers many resources and information for students, faculty, and staff. 

“We have pamphlets on respect and equity. We also have information about being an active bystander, which is helping prevent or stop a situation. We also have information from the victim services in Western Illinois. We’ve been working with Family Planning as a resource. We have two counselors on campus that are confidential advisors. We’re in the process of hiring a chaplain who would be another confident advisor,” said Ferguson.

This information is available for everyone. “When you gain information from the Title IX office about consent or predatory behavior, anything that they’re educating on, making sure that you spread the word is important,” said Rose. 

Students can also become familiar with the reporting process to support their peers. Students can fill out a form online through the college website and choose whether to remain anonymous. “And then once it’s reported, I follow up with I’ll reach out to the victim and offer supportive measures,” said Ferguson.

Students can then choose either the formal or informal process. Rose’s experience shines a negative light on the brutal reality of the reporting process at colleges and universities. 

Under previous coordination, “I was advised by the Title IX coordinator and by the counselor I was seeing at the time on campus to not go through formal because they said that was gonna be very traumatic, and it was gonna make things worse for my mental health was not at its best. They advised that I go through informal, but it’s really hard to get anything to happen through that, unfortunately,” said Rose. 

Additionally, “They warned me that during the formal process, I was also gonna potentially be asked what I was wearing, and I didn’t feel super comfortable with that because it doesn’t matter,” said Rose.

However, Rose notes a shift in the overall environment with the Title IX office under new coordination. “I think she [Ferguson] is gonna make it a lot better, and I can already tell she’s just so much more compassionate, said Rose”

“I’m excited about this position, and I want to get to know more students. I am still new… I’m learning as well, but I really want to help the students and make this a safe campus, which it is, but it can be safer. Just getting more students involved and bringing awareness to certain issues that are affecting us right now,” said Ferguson. 

Any student can get involved with the Title IX office through the Peer Educators program. “As far as training goes, that kind of programming, Peer Educators and myself, we work with training the students, staff, and faculty that we are required… Anybody can be involved with Peer Educators,” said Ferguson.

Sexual assault on college campuses is a real issue, but students are beginning to recognize Ferguson’s efforts. “I think with the new Title IX coordinator, Lori, I have faith that she’s gonna try to change it if she can and at least make it more supportive for the person reporting,” said Rose. 

If you are interested in receiving more information or getting involved, contact Lori Ferguson. “I want to help the students, and I love working with the students,” said Ferguson. 

“If you’re going through something like this, know that it gets better. I’ve already noticed a huge difference in myself from last semester till now. It’s gotten better, and I didn’t feel like it was gonna get better. It truly does get better,” said Rose. 

Anita Gándara - Contributing Writer