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Meet Our Team
Our team has specialized experience and training in responding to disclosures of sexual misconduct and harassment in the GVSU community. We are aware that your concerns may be of a sensitive nature and can offer support to help you. If you have experienced, witnessed, or been impacted by sexual misconduct, harassment, or discrimination, we can assist in finding the options that feel right for you.
Reporting to GVSU allows us to engage in an interactive process with the Complainant to discuss and provide supportive measures and does not obligate a Complainant to proceed with a resolution process.
Theresa Rowland, M.Ed.
Title IX Coordinator
Director, Office for Title IX & Institutional Equity
Theresa Rowland oversees the implementation of GVSU’s Policy Prohibiting Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation, & Sexual Misconduct, with an emphasis on employees as impacted parties.
As Title IX Coordinator, Theresa has the primary responsibility for monitoring GVSU's compliance under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and 2020 Title IX Regulations (34 CFR § 106).
As Director of the Office for Title IX and Institutional Equity, Theresa monitors GVSU’s compliance under other federal and state civil rights laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act. Theresa ensures appropriate education and training for the GVSU community, as well as individuals who carry out university resolution. Theresa also coordinates the University’s response to reports involving employees as impacted parties and assists employees with supportive measures. Additionally, Theresa works with impacted parties throughout the process, when university resolution is requested by a Complainant.
►Theresa is available to answer questions and provide information about GVSU’s policy and procedures, resources, and supportive measures related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and/or sexual misconduct.
Accordingly, reports of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and/or sexual misconduct can be made directly with Theresa, Michael, or any time (including during non-business hours) through GVSU's online reporting form.
You can reach Theresa by phone at (616) 331-9530 or by email at rowlanth@gvsu.edu.
Michael Szydlowski, M.A.
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Michael Szydlowski assists with the implementation of GVSU’s Policy Prohibiting Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation, & Sexual Misconduct, with an emphasis on students as impacted parties.
As Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Michael assists with monitoring GVSU’s compliance under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and 2020 Title IX Regulations (34 CFR § 106). Michael coordinates the University's response to reports involving students as impacted parties and assists students with supportive measures. Additionally, Michael works with impacted parties throughout the process, when university resolution is requested by a Complainant.
►Michael is available to answer questions and provide information about GVSU’s policy and procedures, resources, and supportive measures related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and/or sexual misconduct.
Accordingly, reports of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and/or sexual misconduct can be made directly with Michael, Theresa, or any time (including during non-business hours) through GVSU's online reporting form.
You can reach Michael by phone at (616) 331-9530 or by email at szydlowm@gvsu.edu.
Scott Ayotte, J.D.
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
In addition to his role as Director of Affirmative Action/EEO, Scott Ayotte assists in coordinating the University's response to reports involving students as impacted parties and assists students with supportive measures.
►Scott is available to answer questions and provide information about resources and supportive measures related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and/or sexual misconduct.
You can reach Scott by phone at (616) 331-3296 or by email at ayottesc@gvsu.edu.
Our Professional Training
Members of the Office for Title IX and Institutional Equity Team, as well as members of the pool who assist in carrying out the grievance process, receive regular training based on their respective roles on topics including sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and on how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of impacted parties and promotes accountability.
A list of recent training is included below.
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- A New Day on Campus: The Final Title IX Regulations, Marsh & McLennan Companies | Hogan, Marren, Babbo, & Rose LTD.
- 2020 Title IX Regulations Implementation Training & Certification Course, Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA)
- Higher Education Annual Clery Training and Intro to Title IX Basics, Brickler & Eckler LLP
- Higher Education Title IX Decision-Maker Training, Bricker & Eckler LLP
- Training on Title IX Regulations, Rebecca Leitman Veidlinger
- Advisors in Title IX Investigations: Legal, Regulatory, and Public Policy Considerations, ankura
- The New Title IX Regulations: Hearings - Balancing Compliance with Care, Cozen O'Connor
- Critical Issues in Title IX and Sexual Misconduct - Title IX Coordinator, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) & Heirophant Enterprises, Inc
- Critical Issues in Title IX and Sexual Misconduct - Title IX Investigators, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) & Heirophant Enterprises, Inc