The external review was conducted by Pilgrim & Associates, a firm with a background in the areas of sexual violence and federal anti-discrimination laws pertaining to campuses, according to a UNM press release.
The firm spent several weeks interviewing people on campus about UNM’s handling of sexual assault allegations. Jill Pilgrim, owner and founder of the firm, will be one of the main speakers at the presentation.
The review was commissioned last September by University Counsel, UNM’s legal office, in response to an anonymous complaint regarding the handling of sexual assault reports within campus housing and athletics, according to the press release.
“While the serious concern of sex assaults on campus was getting attention nationwide, UNM wanted to be ahead of it, to be leaders rather than followers in providing all students with fair process in the handling of complaints,” Elsa Kircher Cole, University Counsel, said in a statement. “This report will now provide guidelines and recommendations on the best approach to dealing with this complex issue.”
Pilgrim will present the highlights of her team’s report to the campus at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Atrium of the Student Union Building. Following her presentation, UNM Dean of Students Tomas Aguirre will discuss the university’s proactive steps to dealing with sexual assault and how UNM will incorporate the Pilgrim report recommendations. Both Pilgrim and Aguirre will be available for a question and answer session following the presentation.
At 11 a.m. Rita Smith, another member of the firm, will join Pilgrim and Aguirre for a panel discussion led by UNM student government. Students and other campus members are invited to ask questions and offer suggestions regarding the handling of sexual assault allegations.
Jonathan Baca is the news editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @JonGabrielB.
