On August 31, 2023, the California State Assembly convened a joint hearing of the Legislative Audit Committee and the Assembly and Senate Education Committees to address pressing concerns regarding sexual harassment within the California State University (CSU) system. This meeting marked a critical step in examining the effectiveness of CSU's policies and practices in handling sexual harassment complaints, following a series of high-profile incidents that raised significant public concern.

The hearing was initiated in response to a request from former committee members, who sought an audit of CSU's compliance with sexual harassment investigations. The impetus for this audit stemmed from alarming reports, including a multimillion-dollar settlement involving San Jose State University and allegations of mishandling complaints against senior officials. The audit aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of how CSU manages sexual harassment allegations and to identify areas for improvement.

State Auditor Grant Parks presented findings from the audit, revealing that over a five-year period, CSU received more than 1,200 sexual harassment complaints, with only 20% investigated and a mere 8% substantiated. Alarmingly, the audit highlighted that many complaints were closed without thorough investigation, often lacking clear rationales. This raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of the processes in place, potentially undermining the confidence of complainants in the system.

The audit also scrutinized the timeliness of investigations, noting that many cases exceeded CSU's policy of resolving complaints within 100 days. In some instances, delays stretched beyond 200 days, further complicating the experiences of those involved. The findings underscored a need for improved record-keeping and a standardized system for tracking the status of complaints across campuses.

In addition to the investigation process, the audit examined disciplinary actions taken against employees found to have committed harassment. It revealed inconsistencies in how corrective actions were documented and implemented, with several cases lacking follow-through on disciplinary measures. This inconsistency raises questions about the effectiveness of CSU's policies in ensuring a safe and non-discriminatory environment for students and staff.

The hearing concluded with a call for the Chancellor's Office to take a more proactive leadership role in overseeing sexual harassment investigations and to adopt best practices from campuses like San Jose State, which has developed more robust protocols for handling complaints.

As the CSU system grapples with these findings, the implications for students, faculty, and staff are profound. The discussions from this hearing signal a commitment to reform and a recognition of the urgent need for systemic change to protect individuals from harassment and ensure accountability within the educational environment. The next steps will involve implementing recommendations from the audit and fostering a culture of transparency and support for those who come forward with complaints.