The first round of the Department of Education's Negotiated Rulemaking on the Violence Against Woman's Act (VAWA) took place earlier this week in Washington, DC. AACS was represented by Christine Gordon and Tom Netting. 

It should be noted that the Rulemaking only changes the Clery Act, and not Title IX. School's obligations under the Clery Act are centered around collecting and reporting information with respect to campus crime statistics and campus security policies. Conversely, Title IX ensures that schools do not discriminate against students on the basis of sex in the school's education programs and activities. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sexual discrimination.  

The Negotiators discussed key terms and definitions, counting and reporting crimes, training of officials on campus to investigate crimes appeals requirements, disciplinary proceedings the notification of involved parties of final determinations, nondisclosure agreements, outcomes of proceedings, applicable jurisdiction and technical changes. There was a great amount of discussion around counting crimes and disciplinary proceedings. Please be on the lookout for more information regarding this.