(DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)Kathryn Statz will serve as the new director of gender equity, or Title IX coordinator, at DePaul. She joined the Office of Gender Equity as an investigator in 2018.
“Statz has a sound understanding and experience with DePaul’s policies and protocols concerning sexual harassment and sexual violence,” says Gene Zdziarski, vice president for Student Affairs. “She also brings senior-level management experience and in-depth understanding of DePaul University having served as the senior associate director of Athletics at DePaul for 15 years.”
As a member of the Office of Gender Equity, Statz helped develop protocols for interacting with respondents that reflect an equitable, student-centered approach focused on the dignity of all persons. The office utilizes a thorough, multi-disciplinary process to review policies, procedures, protocols and trainings. This process includes regular meetings and communications on timely issues related to law and policy in this arena.
Statz also has been part of the Student Affairs team that changed the office’s name from Title IX to the Office for Gender Equity to better reflect the work it handles. In addition, Student Affairs updated the website for sexual and relationship violence prevention, including adding a link specifically for reporting gender equity complaints. A new software product provides a secure online platform to allow the sharing of documents electronically that prohibits printing, downloading, saving or editing. This system allows officers to review a case file prior to a disciplinary hearing, giving them time for a thorough understanding of the facts of the case. Student Affairs also developed a process that assigns an advocate to every complainant as each case is reported. This process allows a complainant to both process and assess their options for campus or legal action.
The Office of Gender Equity will conduct a search to fill the investigator position that is now open as a result of Statz’s promotion. The office is also seeking applicants for a new case manager position to further ensure timely responses to complaints related to gender equity.
“DePaul remains committed to providing students, faculty and staff a swift, equitable and trauma-informed response to addressing incidents of sexual and relationship violence,” Zdziarski says.
A detailed explanation of rights and options for survivors of sexual violence, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking
is available online.