The week of March 25-29 at Samford was Title IX week. The Title IX office put on events Monday through Thursday and focused on raising awareness of the Title IX resources available to students.
Lisa Overton, Samford’s Title IX coordinator, spoke about the purpose of the week as bringing in “resources to take something that’s kind of a complex legal issue if you just look at what is Title IX, and make it fun, accessible and relatable for our campus community.”
Overton explained the broad aim of Title IX.
“The simple goal of Title IX is to ensure that no one – faculty, staff, students or visitors – has to leave or elects to leave our educational environment because they are exposed to unlawful harassment or discrimination,” she said.
On Monday, a Samford police officer held a self-defense workshop, and SGA Multicultural Affairs Committee (MAC) helped host a paint party. On Tuesday, the office of public safety joined in leading a safety fair, emphasizing situational awareness.
On Wednesday, the office hosted a breakfast with two families who each lost a daughter to domestic violence, where the families discussed prevention and education with the attendees. On Thursday, the Title IX office and International Justice Mission (IJM) hosted a panel discussing abusive relationships and trafficking.
“I think it’s been very well received, you know, feedback and comments from students wanting to know how they can make a difference how they can become involved,” Overton said.
The office provides funding to organizations on campus that wish to put on events aligned with Title IX and its mission. This year, the organizations are SGA MAC, League of Women Voters, NPHC, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and IJM.
Overton emphasized the importance of their mini grants to student organizations, since the students are more directly involved on campus.
“One of the reasons that we do the mini grants is because as cool as I think I am, I’m not necessarily the pulse here on campus,” Overton said.
As for the resources that Title IX offers, this can be anything that provides support for students, even if they don’t want to pursue a formal process for harassment or discrimination.
“That could look like rescheduling classes, it could be getting a different room assignment, it could be taking a break,” Overton said.
The Title IX office will also point students to other resources on campus that are available for them, including Samford Cares, the office of spiritual life and the office of public safety. Overton also mentioned that the office can point students to resources in the community, if they don’t want to go anywhere at Samford.
Students can contact the Title IX office at titleix@samford.edu and reach Samford Police for all emergency situations by calling 205-726-2020.
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