Recognizing the impact of Title IX issues, offering accessible training and providing transparent policies were among the main points that Jennifer Ananda spoke about Sept. 21 during the presentation portion of her Title IX Coordinator interview.
Ananda is currently a Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Kansas University, as well as an adjunct professor in the School of Social Welfare.
Previously, she worked in a private law practice, specializing in criminal, immigration and civil cases. Ananda also worked as a project attorney at the Kansas Coalition against Sexual and Domestic Violence.
A background in both law and social work are vital for an effective Title IX program, Ananda said.
“When you’re working with students, faculty and staff that have experienced trauma, understanding the law is a huge piece of that,” Ananda said. “Understanding the impact that has on someone’s life and being (able) to help them navigate the system is also equally important.”
Understanding intersectionality is another important piece of helping students that’s often left out of Title IX, according to Ananda.
“Looking at the intersectionality, the impact, that these things have on student’s lives, when they’re coming with multiple protected identities into the room,” Ananda said. “It’s vital that we understand the complex nature of the impact that these acts can have.”
An effective Title IX program needs to have transparent and accessible policies, as well as trainings that meet people where they are, according to Ananda. Trainings can also help people understand the investigative process, along with the limitations.
“I think just understanding and having transparency around the process is invaluable,” Ananda said. “Those are a few areas, I think, where training could be really, really impactful.”
Clear and streamlined policies help a program remain consistent, as well as let students, faculty and staff know what to expect from the Title IX office, according to Ananda.
Joey Wood, a counselor at the Student Wellness Center, asked Ananda to share one of her strengths and one challenge that could happen as Title IX Coordinator.
“I think my strength is my experience, my challenge is my experience in some ways as well,” Ananda said. “I can’t just come from a different institution and say ‘bop, here’s how this is going to happen,’ so there are things about the way I have done things previously that will have to change. There are also things that I bring to the table that will be invaluable to implementing on campus.”
Trauma response, which Ananda previously provided training to faculty and staff, is important to dealing with Title IX issues, she said. No one expects to have these conversations, so faculty and staff need to understand how to respond to them, according to Ananda.
“Understanding that kind of response in the first place creates a mindset of the goal of this is not to be excused from class or anything else, it’s actually creating a whole person again, because that’s been shattered,” Ananda said.
David Cordle, provost, asked about whether Ananda had a certain viewpoint on outsourcing investigations versus conducting them as internal investigations.
When it comes to outsourcing investigations, Ananda said it depends on the needs of the university.
Cases involving someone in the Title IX department or cases that get publicity are examples of investigations that Ananda believes should be outsourced, in order to remain unbiased and to not seem like they’re protecting the university in the investigation.
“In my work, over time, because we’ve become more transparent, because we’ve become more open, they see we really are neutral and unbiased fact finders,” Ananda said. “I am paid by the university, however, I’m not here for the university. I’m here for the individuals who experience this and for ensuring a fair process for everybody involved.”
