Client Need and Issue:
A public university faced a unique challenge regarding Title IX. Historically, it relied heavily on a General Counsel and one of TNG’s chief regional competitors to oversee its Title IX work. The previous Title IX Coordinator reported to the General Counsel’s office. This arrangement did not give the Title IX Coordinator autonomy and created a lot of back-and-forth communication between the Coordinator, the General Counsel, and the external firm. When the institution hired a new Title IX Coordinator—a previous TNG client from a nearby school—it sought to improve and operationalize the collaborative process. The new Coordinator expressed trust in TNG’s expertise: “TNG has the insights and support I need; I’ll bring them along wherever I go.”
TNG Approach and Solution:
The university’s approach changed when they hired their new Title IX Coordinator, a previous TNG client. With a professional relationship already established, the Title IX Coordinator was determined to switch the contract from the prior firm to TNG, seeking support to enhance internal administrative power and enable better Title IX administration.
TNG provided the necessary backing to the Title IX Coordinator through consultation and empowerment to engage directly with the Provost and Chancellor, rather than working under the General Counsel’s office. TNG supported the Title IX Coordinator in conversations with the client’s top administration, emphasizing the need to revamp institutional policies related to Title IX, and specifically to help equip the institution with a class-leading approach to identifying and intervening with respect to potentially predatory and abusive employees in three different divisions of the university.
The move represented a positive strategic alignment. The Title IX Coordinator was reinforced by the institutional support needed to drive essential policy reforms, ensuring that those well acquainted with Title IX were responsible for leading the initiatives.
Outcome:
Enhancing the status and responsibilities of the Title IX Coordinator proved successful. With TNG’s guidance, the university secured the opportunity to overhaul its Title IX policies, a transformative move for an institution of its caliber.
The result was twofold: First, it established the Title IX Coordinator as a central figure in decision-making processes relating to Title IX issues. Secondly, the policy revisions effectively embedded the authority within the role of the Title IX Coordinator, which previously might have been assumed but not formally recognized within the policy framework.
Additional Details:
The partnership also underlined the significance of personal relationships in securing contracts, as the rapport with the Title IX coordinator was pivotal to initiating this transition. This case illustrates how decision-making in educational institutions regarding Title IX processes can benefit from specialized consultative support, opening pathways for policy renewal, and enhanced institutional practices in compliance with Title IX requirements.