Regents approve Title IX policy changes, RPDC contract, Tower Suites update

The Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents during its regular meeting on Friday approved new Title IX sexual harassment policy and procedures, as well as investments in its Northwest Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) and improvements to a campus residential facility.

The new Title IX regulations, which become effective Aug. 14, reflect changes outlined by the U.S. Department of Education in May and identify institutional responsibility for compliance.

The policy revisions relate to changes in the scope, investigation process and hearings for allegations of sexual harassment. The policy maintains an expectation of mandated reporters for the safety of the University community.

The policy applies to sexual harassment occurring within the University’s education programs and activities and committed by an employee, student, contractor, guest, or another member of the University community. It does not apply to sexual harassment that occurs off campus, in a private setting, and outside the scope of the University’s education programs and activities.

In other business, the Board:

• Approved a contract of about $1.3 million between the Northwest Regional Professional Development Center and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for 2020-21. The funds support salary, benefits, regional and state required travel, equipment, materials and supplies for the staff at the center, which supports 59 school districts in northwest Missouri.
• Approved a plan to update the mechanical system in the Tower Suites residential building at a cost not to exceed $1.4 million and authorized the University to award a contract for the work to Lee Grover Construction, which was the low bidder for the project.
• Approved $300,000 in additional funding for the Agricultural Learning Center, increasing the total cost of the project to no more than $11.4 million. The University requested the funding increase as a result of changes to technology equipment and Missouri Department of Transportation requirements for a turn lane at the entrance to the R.T. Wright Farm. Northwest broke ground on the Agricultural Learning Center in April and anticipates completion at the end of the calendar year.
• Approved the appointments of three full-time, 90 adjunct and 65 dual credit faculty for the 2020-21 academic year.
• Approved a remote work policy that allows eligible employees to work at home, on the road or in a satellite location. The policy, the University said, will create efficiencies and improve employee engagement, recruitment and retention.
• Approved a three-year service agreement for a non-credit, online medicinal cannabis training program that the University will begin offering this fall through a partnership with Green Flower Media Inc., a cannabis education provider.

The Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and determining general, educational and financial policies.