The New Year marks changes throughout the University. One of the most significant changes has been the creation of the new Title IX coordinator position, now filled by Howard Kallem. By being the first full-time Title IX coordinator at UNC, he has the opportunity to set a good precedent — one that involves students throughout the process.
Open forums, along with the inclusion of students on the Title IX coordinator search committee have been great ways for students to participate in Title IX compliance. However, these forums and open discussions must continue. Kallem’s job will involve campus outreach — especially until a head outreach coordinator is appointed — therefore he will need to find creative opportunities to involve students.
Kallem must balance this focus on outreach with a strong emphasis on the more administrative points of the job. Creative ways to educate students, through programs like speaker series, could serve to bridge an often-times shaky relationship between students and administrators. Even having resident advisors get involved with the Title IX outreach chair, in order to educate students on various Title IX topics, could have significant advantages.
By selecting him as the Title IX coordinator, University leadership has put their faith in Kallem. He should embrace his role as a coordinator — someone who can be a face of change, as well as someone who can be personable and reach out to students appropriately. It should be the coordinator’s goal to create an environment for students that serves as a second home.
As a Title IX coordinator, Kallem will have a lot on his plate moving forward. By continuing to create an environment of transparency and openness, along with fostering student input, Kallem can have a big impact immediately.
