Students from the 10 campuses of the University of �鶹��ý are being encouraged to participate in the UH Sex Based Discrimination and Harassment Student Survey. The anonymous and voluntary survey is open to students 18 years old and older from February 4 to March 10, and can only be accessed through an email with the subject line “UH students: Please complete the sexual harassment and sex-based violence survey” sent from “UH President (Omnitrak on behalf of UH) .”

“Sexual harassment and sex-based violence on college campuses are serious issues nationwide,” said UH President Wendy Hensel in an a February 4 email to students. “UH has made significant progress in responding to these issues across our 10 campuses, largely thanks to your participation in a student survey conducted every two years.”

Why participation matters

This is the fifth UH survey on sexual harassment and sex-based violence since 2017. Utilizing the campus specific data collected in the previous surveys, the Title IX coordinators from each of the 10 campuses have tailored outreach and support materials for their campus communities. Systemwide, survey insights have improved training programs and expanded advocacy services, ensuring a data-driven approach to prevention, response and awareness.

“Your experience matters to us, and your voice is critical to our efforts in creating a safe and supportive environment for all students,” Hensel said.

What the survey covers

The 20-minute survey will ask students about:

• Campus environment related to sexual harassment and sex-based violence.
• Perceptions of UH’s response to reports of harassment or violence.
• Awareness of resources and reporting options for sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking and interpersonal violence (domestic and dating violence).
• Prevalence and incidence of sexual violence, harassment, stalking and interpersonal violence on UH campuses.

Students can exit and resume the survey anytime before March 10, 2025. All responses are completely anonymous and survey data will be kept confidential and reviewed only in aggregate to ensure privacy. A Frequently Asked Questions page is available with more information.

#BeHeardUH

Students are encouraged to promote #BeHeardUH on social media and help raise awareness about the importance of speaking up against sexual harassment and sex-based violence.

Resources

If you have experienced sex-based harassment or violence, resources are available:

• Confidential Support—If you need help but are not ready to make a formal report, reach out to .
• Formal Reporting—To file a report, .
• Off-Campus Assistance—contact a community resource in your area.

Survey history and results

The UH Student Survey is considered a national best practice and was first identified as a university priority in 2015. It later became a state mandate under Act 208 (2016) and has been conducted biennially since 2017. Past survey results include:

• 2018—Groundbreaking student survey on sexual harassment and gender-based violence
• 2020—Results of student survey on sexual harassment, violence
• 2022—Students feel safer on UH campuses, according to latest student survey
• 2024—Students feel safe, aware of resources, according to survey

The survey is coordinated by the UH System Office of EEO/TIX and conducted by OmniTrak Group, Inc.

The University of �鶹��ý successfully conducted a week-long series of Title IX training sessions in October, underscoring its commitment to fostering safe, equitable and inclusive environments for students and employees across its 10-campus system. The four-day training at UH Mānoa drew over 110 participants, including leadership, campus executives, and Title IX personnel, from across the state.

The training follows the implementation of UH’s new interim Title IX policy and administrative procedures, effective on August 1, 2024, as required by the 2024 Title IX regulations under the U.S. Department of Education’s . The policy and training was developed with assistance from higher education attorneys at Thompson Coburn.

Feedback from post-training surveys was overwhelmingly positive, according to the UH Office of Equity Assurance who organized the training. The participants praised the practical, real-world approach of the sessions and the expertise of the facilitators. The training initiative was a collaborative effort involving Thompson Coburn, Vice President for Administration Jan Gouveia, the Office of Equity Assurance, and the Office of Legal Affairs and University General Counsel.

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Assurance Jenn Rose explained that the training initiative is a critical component of the broader effort to comply with new federal regulations.

“We sincerely thank our Title IX Coordinators and their teams for collaborating to make this training a success,” said Rose. “Their hard work and adaptability in navigating all the recent changes have been truly invaluable.”

UH plans to build on this success by offering additional training opportunities regarding the new interim policy and procedures, and strengthening resources and support to increase safety across its campuses.

The majority of University of �鶹��ý students feel safe from sexual harassment and gender based violence when on campus, according to the 2023 Sex Based Discrimination and Harassment Student Survey. The biennial survey of UH’s 10 campuses also found that dating or domestic violence is still the most common form of harassment/violence and that awareness of on-campus services and resources has increased dramatically since the first survey seven years ago.

Of 38,286 adult students attending UH campuses, 14.1% (5,398 students) completed the 20-minute long survey in early 2023 on campus environment, prevalence of sexual assault and violence, campus response and awareness of resources and reporting options.

The individual outcomes from each of the 10 campuses are available in the final survey results. In the aggregate, more than 63.4% of UH students feel safe when on campus, up from 57.5% from the first survey in 2017, considered the benchmark survey of the four surveys completed. The 2023 survey found 57% of students were aware of services and resources, a substantial increase from 40% in 2017. Furthermore, 57.8% of students rated the training UH offered “extremely or very useful” compared to 50.7% in 2017.

“We have work ahead on our paths to create campus environments free of harassment and violence so our students can fully focus on their education,” said UH President David Lassner. “We will continue to build on what we have accomplished in the last 10 years including the expansion of services like confidential resources, and greater awareness of those services. I am especially heartened that the 2023 survey shows that our students have greater trust in UH today compared to our first survey seven years ago.”

Survey results

Reports of sexual harassment and gender based violence are down slightly in 2023 compared to the 2019 and 2017 surveys (the 2021 survey results were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as the vast majority of courses were offered online, and most employees were teleworking). Students are asked about their experiences while enrolled, including incidents unrelated to their campus. According to the 2023 survey:

• Three of four specific areas edged down or held steady:
  • 10.2% of students reported dating or domestic violence (9.1% in 2021, 12.1% in 2019, 10.6% in 2017).
  • 5.5% reported stalking (3.6% in 2021, 6.1% in 2019, 6.0% in 2017).
  • 2.8% reported incidents of non-consensual sexual contact (1.3% in 2021, 2.9% in 2019, 2.8% in 2017).
• 7.8% reported sexual harassment (4.2% in 2021, 8.0% in 2019, 5.7% in 2017). The federal government expanded the examples of sexual harassment, which have been included in the UH biennial surveys since 2019.
• Offenders associated with UH decreased since 2017 (79.8% in 2023, 71.8% in 2021, 80.5% in 2019, 88.2% in 2017).

“The survey results provide important next steps for our campuses including targeted outreach to vulnerable populations and raising awareness and referrals to campus resources to better address dating and domestic violence,” said UH Office of Equity Assurance Director Jenn Rose. “Hopefully, these survey results also shine a bright light on issues prevalent across our society, not just college campuses. Greater awareness is critical addressing sexual harassment and gender base violence.”

These surveys are a national best practice and an important tool in creating and maintaining a safe and discrimination-free learning and working environment.The biennial survey was identified as a priority by UH in 2015 and mandated by the �鶹��ý State Legislature in 2016 with the passage of Act 208. It has been administered every other year since 2017 with the first results released in 2018.

2018—Groundbreaking Sex Based Discrimination and Harassment Student Survey
2020—Results of student survey on sexual harassment, violence
2022—Students feel safer on UH campuses, according to student survey

The survey is the responsibility of the UH Office of Equity Assurance (OEA), whose duties include oversight of compliance with Title IX and the federal laws and for UH Mānoa and the 10-campus UH System. The survey was conducted by OmniTrak Group, Inc.

Student resources

There are several options available to students who may be victims of gender-based harassment or violence depending on the type of assistance needed.

On Campus

• UH Counseling resources by campus
• Confidential Title IX Services for Survivors and Victims of Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence
• Disability Services, including accommodations for individuals with learning, physical, psychiatric, and/or other disabilities
• Health Services

Off Campus

• For individuals experiencing sexual harassment or gender-based violence

For individuals experiencing food insecurity:

• UH Student Basic Needs resources

For individuals with varying needs, including housing insecurity, child and family support, mental health and substance abuse:

• UH Student Basic Needs resources

The late U.S. Rep. Patsy Takemoto Mink, champion of the landmark Title IX legislation, will be the 12th woman honored in the U.S. Mint’s . Mink, a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa alumna, filled her life with firsts—the first Japanese-American woman admitted to practice law in �鶹��ý, the first Asian American woman, and first woman of color, to be elected to the U.S. Congress. She fought for gender and racial equality, affordable childcare and environmental protection. The quarter honoring her work and legacy will be released in 2024.

• Read more about the .

The quarter design depicts Mink holding her landmark Title IX legislation and wearing a lei representing her home state of �鶹��ý. In the background, a view of the U.S. Capitol Building prominently features the south wing, home to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served in Congress.

In 2022, UH, and the state of �鶹��ý, celebrated Mink and the 50th anniversary of Title IX, and to honor Mink’s profound and successful efforts to bring gender equity to education, Congress renamed Title IX as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. The act states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

“The 50th anniversary of this landmark legislation, championed by �鶹��ý’s own Patsy Mink, marks decades of hard-fought progress for girls and women in classrooms, on the court, and in leadership positions across the country,” said Jennifer Rose, director for the UH Office of Institutional Equity. “Over the last half century, Title IX has had incredible impacts on the ways that society at large not only treats girls in education, but approaches and condemns sexual harassment and sexual violence more broadly.”

Previously, the U.S. Mint honored the late UH Hilo and �鶹��ý Community College instructor Edith Kanakaʻole with a quarter celebrating her legendary legacy as a kumu hula, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner and scholar.

The University of �鶹��ý is asking all students, faculty, staff and administrators to participate in free online training for sexual assault prevention. UH employees were asked to participate in a second free online training on workplace violence prevention and awareness.

“UH is committed to ensuring that everyone understands the resources available, preventing sex discrimination wherever possible, supporting those who report experiencing violence or discrimination and conducting fair, transparent and safe grievance processes for all parties,” said UH President David Lassner in emails to students and employees. “Even with growing awareness, issues of workplace conduct, sex discrimination and other forms of harassment and violence are still common on college campuses nationwide.”

A link or links to the free online training were sent to students and employees via email from “Vector Solutions Online Training,” sent on behalf of the UH System Office of Institutional Equity and the UH System Office of Human Resources. Everyone is asked to check their spam folder if they did not receive the email.

UH students and employees who have experienced sexual harassment or any other form of sex and gender-based discrimination or who find the training content upsetting can connect with the resources that are available to best support them.

More information on confidential resources, campus Title IX Coordinators, applicable non-discrimination policies and guidance, and online Title IX training can be found at .

A commemorative lei ceremony was held June 23, 2022 at the Patsy Takemoto Mink monument outside the �鶹��ý State Library to mark the 50th anniversary of the landmark Title IX legislation that Mink championed. Representatives from three branches of �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s state government and sponsoring agencies paid tribute to Mink’s groundbreaking legislation that has impacted millions of women since it was passed in 1972.

The University of �鶹��ý was represented by Jennifer Rose, director of the UH Office of Institutional Equity, and UH Vice President for Administration Jan Gouveia, who presented a lei on behalf of the university.

“This event is critical for higher education because, as the speakers have indicated, Title IX is not just about athletics—it is about STEM, admissions, career and technical education, it is about transgender students having access,” said Rose. “If you think about Patsy’s biggest barrier and her impetus for becoming a legislator was because she couldn’t get into medical school. So I think the University of �鶹��ý being the place where Patsy graduated, being one of our most distinguished alumna, is pretty significant.”

The lei ceremony honored Mink’s profound and successful efforts to bring gender equity to education. Congress renamed Title IX as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. It states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Title IX transformed U.S. schools and universities by prohibiting educational institutions from receiving federal funds if they discriminated on the basis of gender in admissions, recruitment, financial aid, housing and athletics.

“It is my hope that the underlying values of equity, inclusion and justice championed within the spirit and intent of Title IX will bring about long-lasting change and a culture shift toward a future at UH free from all forms of sex discrimination while ensuring and celebrating equal opportunity and access to education for all,” said UH President David Lassner.

See Lassner’s full message.

Continuing Mink’s legacy

The program featured speakers representing the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government with First Lady Dawn Ige, �鶹��ý Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna and State Sen. Rosalyn Baker.

“It is really important for the state of �鶹��ý to recognize that Patsy Takemoto Mink, the major sponsor and co-author of Title IX is from �鶹��ý, she is a local girl,” said McKenna, who is also a UH alumna and former student-athlete. “The first woman of color elected to Congress was from �鶹��ý and is a University of �鶹��ý graduate. We must not forget that.”

• Related UH News story: UH celebrates 50 years of Title IX with film screenings, panel discussions, more, March 1, 2022

Each lei presented during the formal program had some significance to Mink or Title IX. Mink’s monument was adorned with a maile lei, kukui nut lei, cigar lei, plumeria lei, among others. The lei were donated by State Rep. Della Au-Bellati and the Women’s Legislative Caucus (WLC).

Sponsoring agencies of the event included: UH System, �鶹��ý Women Lawyers, WLC and the Zonta Club. A reception in the �鶹��ý State Library courtyard followed the ceremony.

Read other UH News stories on the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX.

To honor the 50th anniversary of Title IX, and its co-author and advocate, University of �鶹��ý alumna Patsy Takemoto Mink, UH is conducting a series of . The programs will celebrate, critique and challenge us to think about the importance of Title IX and its legacy through film screenings, panel discussions, and conversations with leading experts and advocates.

“The 50th anniversary of this landmark legislation, championed by �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s own Patsy Mink, marks decades of hard-fought progress for girls and women in classrooms, on the court, and in leadership positions across the country,” said Jennifer Rose, director for the UH Office of Institutional Equity. “Over the last half century, Title IX has had incredible impacts on the ways that society at large not only treats girls in education, but approaches and condemns sexual harassment and sexual violence more broadly.”

To honor Mink’s profound and successful efforts to bring gender equity to education, Congress renamed Title IX as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. The act states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

With these words, and despite significant resistance, the Maui-born Mink changed the United States. This law transformed U.S. schools and universities by prohibiting educational institutions from receiving federal funds if they discriminated on the basis of gender in admissions, recruitment, financial aid, housing and athletics.

“From its inception, �鶹��ý has been at the forefront of Title IX,” said Troy Andrade, an associate law professor at UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s . “UH alumna Patsy Takemoto Mink—now the namesake of Title IX—was a co-author of the law and was its fiercest protector in Congress. Mink’s own barrier-breaking story and her persistence are so important for those in our community to remember as we carry forth her legacy of equity, opportunity and justice.”

Upcoming events:

• March 9, 12 p.m.
• March 31, 12 p.m.

UH commitment

The university remains committed to maintaining communities and campus environments free from sex discrimination and gender-based violence. Because of Title IX, today, the ratio of women law school graduates in the United States approaches 50%, and about one-third of American lawyers and judges are women.

• Related UH News story: UH reaffirms commitment to the Patsy Mink Act on 45th anniversary, June 27, 2017

“Under the principled leadership of David Lassner, we have maintained that UH is committed to upholding rights and protections within our university community,” said Jan Gouveia, UH System vice president for administration. “As we look forward to the next 50 years, we’re reminded that while much has been accomplished, there is still more work ahead. UH will continue to remain committed to future generations as the only provider of public higher education in �鶹��ý. It is my hope that the underlying values championed within the spirit and intent of Title IX will bring about long-lasting change and a culture shift toward a future at UH free from all forms of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.”

More information about the .

alumna Karen Kelsky, a prominent figure in the national #MeToo movement, returned to the Mānoa campus in October 2018, to give a presentation on sexual harassment in higher education. Kelsky, who earned her PhD in anthropology at UH Mānoa in 1996, set up a public online survey on sexual harassment in institutions of higher learning when the movement started, and the response was overwhelming, receiving about 2,500 entries in six weeks.

Kelsky has since been traveling the country, speaking out on issues of sexual assault in academia, with a focus on empowering victims and training people in leadership.

“The most important thing is constant trainings and education that is mandatory and that also involves role play,” said Kelsky in an exclusive interview with UH News, where she said role playing is key. “So that people who are are in vulnerable positions can really start to practice setting healthy boundaries and identifying problematic behaviors, when it is small, because perpetrators groom their victims.”

Kelsky is a columnist for the Chronicle of Higher Education and author of . She is the founder of , a consultancy for academics on the job market.

Her appearance on the Mānoa campus was sponsored by the UH Mānoa Better Tomorrow Speaker Series, �鶹��ý State Commission on the Status of Women, the UH Mānoa Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work, UH Office of Institutional Equity, UH Alumni Relations, UH West Oʻahu, UH Mānoa anthropology, American studies and women’s studies departments, UH Mānoa Campus Climate Committee, UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences and the UH Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

Jennifer Solidum Rose, director of the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) at the University of �鶹��ý, was named Outstanding Woman Lawyer by the (HWL) organization at its annual awards reception on April 12. The Outstanding Woman Lawyer award is presented annually to an attorney in �鶹��ý who has achieved accomplishments of significant merit that advance the mission of HWL. This year, HWL recognizes Rose’s advocacy work in addressing gender equity, most recently through her efforts at the university to improve institutional response to allegations of sexual harassment and gender violence throughout the UH system.

Rose has worked for more than 20 years as an attorney working to advance civil rights and advocate for systems change in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Under her leadership, OIE coordinates and oversees the university’s systemwide policies and initiatives related to and the , providing resources, training, expertise and advocacy.

Under her guidance, the university participated in a state legislative task force that assisted in passing 2016 legislation that mandated, among other items, Title IX training for students and staff, a confidential advocate at each campus and ongoing campus surveys. She led and advised the university’s process in updating its sexual harassment and violence policies to ensure a consistent and equitable institutional response across the 10 UH campuses.

Additionally, Rose served as the principle investigator to the comprehensive student campus sex-based discrimination and harassment student survey and oversaw the survey’s launch to students systemwide. She has worked to develop and implement a centralized, homegrown Title IX case management system for use on each of UH’s 10 campuses. She is frequently called upon as an authority on the utilization of legal and advocacy strategies to combat sexual harassment and violence against women.

A long standing educator and advocate for women

Since 2005, she has taught the Family Law Clinic at the , a course on domestic violence and civil remedies, and was twice recognized as Adjunct Professor of the Year Award for her teaching.

Rose has received numerous awards for her advocacy work on behalf of women and marginalized populations. Named one of Honolulu’s Most Inspiring Women by the Honolulu City and County’s Committee on the Status of Women, Rose has served on the board of �鶹��ý Women Lawyers for 10 years and on numerous committees of the �鶹��ý Supreme Court and the �鶹��ý Commission on Access to Justice. She has also served on advisory committees of the National Asian Pacific Islander Institute on Gender Based Violence and, more recently, on the �鶹��ý advisory committee of the Joyful Heart Foundation.

More about �鶹��ý Women Lawyers

HWL is a non-profit organization that educates, mentors and promotes women attorneys and actively works on issues affecting the legal profession, women professionals and women and children who are in need. HWL organizes, participates and supports public and private activities and projects, including legislation, judicial appointments, career, and health and welfare matters that affect the community.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa and the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) have reached a voluntary resolution agreement (VRA) to resolve a Title IX compliance review that began in 2013 and involved Title IX cases from 2010 through 2016.

OCR’s review found that UH Mānoa did not fully comply with the Title IX federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. OCR also acknowledged that since the inception of the compliance review UH has already taken actions to proactively address many of its obligations under Title IX through systemic changes to procedures, organizational structure and resources.

Throughout the compliance review, UH worked collaboratively with OCR, making many improvements during the 4 years with the strong support of state lawmakers and the UH Board of Regents. UH has already improved its policies and dedicated additional resources, including starting up a systemwide Office of Institutional Equity and a Title IX Office at UH Mānoa, to improve its ability to effectively respond to and support students and employees. By entering the VRA, UH Mānoa acknowledges there is still more to be done and commits to continue the important work of strengthening the university’s institutional capacity to respond to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual violence.

“We thank the Office for Civil Rights for its willingness to work with us as we continue to improve,” said Interim UH Mānoa Chancellor and UH President David Lassner. “We have made tremendous strides, and the federal review guided much of that work along the way. But it is an ongoing process, and ultimately this is not just about being compliant but doing what’s right for our community to create a campus environment that is safe for all.”

• Voluntary Resolution Agreement

The VRA identifies specific steps the university will take to resolve the issues identified, and OCR acknowledges that UH has already taken many steps toward completing the required actions. The five areas specified in the VRA along with the steps the university has taken or is taking to meet those requirements are:

1. Review, revise and provide notice of its policies and procedures used to address sexual harassment, so they are consistent with Title IX requirements, and conduct a comprehensive review of any published materials to ensure internal consistency.

• In 2015, the university created the (OIE) to oversee and standardize UH’s Title IX and Violence Against Women Act compliance throughout the 10 campuses and provides resources, training, expertise and advocacy, including updating and strengthening policies and procedures.
• The university participated in a state legislative task force that assisted in passing 2016 legislation that mandated, among other items, Title IX training for students and staff, a confidential advocate at each campus and ongoing campus surveys.
• UH Mānoa appointed a primary Title IX coordinator and in 2015 responsible for handling cases and inquiries in a timely manner.
• In 2015, the university updated its sexual harassment and violence policy to apply the same standards and procedures systemwide and ensure a consistent institutional response across the 10 UH campuses. OCR has acknowledged that the university has already undertaken substantial revisions to its grievance procedure and has made improvements in case processing.

2. Provide training regarding revised policies and procedures to “responsible employees,” university employees and contracted persons who are directly involved in investigating and/or resolving reports of sex discrimination for the university.

• As of December 2017, the university has to 2,798 employees from the UH Mānoa campus and to 5,606 employees systemwide. .

3. Conduct campus surveys relating to sexual harassment and sexual violence and report results to OCR.

• On January 20, 2017, the university launched a comprehensive student campus survey on sexual harassment and gender-based violence. 6,311 students completed the survey.
• On January 8, 2018, the university released its comprehensive systemwide student campus survey report on sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
• The university will continue to conduct campus surveys bi-annually.

4.Submit to OCR documentation of its centralized system for tracking and recording complaints, reports, investigations, interim measures and resolutions of student, employee and third party conduct that may constitute sexual harassment or sexual violence.

• The university has developed and is now implementing a centralized, homegrown record keeping system for use on all of UH’s 10 campuses.

5. Contact student complainants and student respondents who were involved in reports and complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence, from August 2013, to October 2017, to provide them with the opportunity to request that the university review any specific concerns they may have about the processing of their reports or complaints.

• UH Mānoa will begin reaching out to the parties in spring 2018 and expects to have the process completed by December 2018.
• The university plans to collaborate with OCR to ensure appropriate attempts to contact the referenced complainants and respondents are made.

OCR will monitor UH Mānoa until it completes its obligations under the VRA. The OCR Letter of Findings is available online.