Governor Mike DeWine signed “Collin’s Law: The Ohio Anti-Hazing Act” into law on July 6, 2021. The law substantially alters R.C. § 2903.31, Ohio’s criminal statute against hazing. The new law is not just aimed at regulating student behavior; administrators, faculty,...
Miami University
Staying Healthy Together: Making sense of Miami University’s Pledge, the City of Oxford’s mass gathering ordinance, and COVID regulations
Are gathering of more than 10 people allowed in at Miami University? Maybe. Since the University released its Healthy Together Pledge (see my previous blog post here) in the summer of 2020, the City of Oxford has passed its own ordinance governing gatherings. On...
What is Miami University’s “Healthy Together Pledge” and what happens if I sign it?
Miami University is requiring all students that intend to return to campus in-person for the fall 2020 semester to sign its "Healthy Together Pledge" ("The Pledge"). A link to the Pledge can be found here. Can I refuse to sign The Pledge? Not if you want to attend...
College Sexual Assault Accusations: Title IX Pivot Point
ConsentTitle IX sexual misconduct investigations and hearings typically focus on whether consent was provided for any sexual contact or sexual activity that occurred. However, most Title IX investigations on college campuses are not investigating force-based sexual...
Title IX Is Not A Finished Product
"Misconceptions, myths, and outright lies," claims the Boston Globe regarding the rationales that underlie the proposed Title IX amendments. The question is whether the regulations, which govern university "sexual assault" hearings, need amendment, or whether they are...
Hold my beer…Miami University makes substantial changes to alcohol policy – Part One
105A Intoxication and Prohibited Use of Liquor As part of its updated 2018-2019 Code of Student Conduct ("Code"), Miami University made significant changes to its alcohol policy. The most noteworthy change is the Code's new distinction between "fermented alcoholic...
Urban Meyer & Title IX Part 2: The Finding
The Urban Meyer saga seems to have reached its end with the coach returning to the team this week. It's time to look back on our initial analysis of the situation and compare it to that of The Ohio State Investigative Board's published findings. First, and most...
Change in “Consent” Policy
As August turns into September students from across the nation will return to Miami University to begin a new academic year. One of the changes awaiting students when they return to campus are some changes in the Student Code of Conduct.The Office of Community...
Another Topic for “The Sex Talk”
The Cincinnati Enquirer recently published a well-sourced piece on campus sexual assaults (often referred to as Title IX cases) titled "The Sex Talk: The conversation that is not happening about campus sexual assault." As a Title IX Lawyer, I appreciate the attention...
Urban Meyer & Title IX Part 1: The Duty to Report
The college football world was rocked yesterday with the report that Ohio State Football Coach Urban Meyer has been put on paid leave pending an investigation into alleged domestic violence by one of his (now former) assistant coaches. Mr. Meyer is not alleged to have...