Executive committee approves minor revision to Policy 311A to match federal definition for Clery reporting

The Vermont State Colleges executive committee on Monday approved a targeted revision to Policy 311A so the college—0s definition of certain sexual misconduct matches a recently changed federal definition. General Counsel Patty Turley told trustees the change was prompted by an update to the federal definition used by the FBI and is intended to keep the college—0s Clery reporting consistent. "311A, as you may know, is our policy that primarily is in response to Title 9 obligations," Turley said. She added the revision is "simply to comply with the new federal definition for that conduct." The committee discussed what the definitional change would cover. Turley and trustees explained the revision broadens the policy—0s language so actions such as unwanted kissing that earlier wordings tied to the term "fondling" will not be unintentionally excluded. As Turley said, the previous wording "did not address unwanted kissing because of the way that fondling was defined." Trustees agreed the rewrite clarifies the policy and reduces ambiguity. The committee voted to approve the revisions as drafted. Trustee Mark Mahali moved the motion; Trustee Kluver seconded. The motion passed by voice vote. The committee and legal staff emphasized this change updates the definition only; any future actions that would affect long-term property or contractual arrangements (for example, leases or dispositions tied to Policy 426) would come back to the board for approval. Turley said the amendment is intended to align college policy with the federal standard and to avoid having two different definitions in effect during the same reporting period. The committee did not alter reporting procedures in this vote; the change is limited to the definition text in Policy 311A.