SORC mission clarified

The Sexual Offense Review Committee (SORC) is not actually a review committee, despite its name. Many people within the College refer to the sexual offense policy and its proceedings as SORC, though this is not technically correct, according to SORC co-chair Pat Day, associate professor of English

SORC monitors the day-to-day operations of the sexual offense policy. It also issues an annual report summarizing the number, types and outcomes of sexual offense cases. Every other year SORC reviews the sexual offense policy and, if revisions are necessary, recommends them to the General Faculty.

SORC is composed of two representatives from each of the following groups: students, faculty, administrative and professional staff and at least one member from OCOPE and the UAW, unions representing College employees. Five members of SORC serve as advocates, who are responsible for answering questions about Oberlin's sexual offesne policy.

Sexual Offense Policy Administrator Camille Mitchell attempts to resolve complaints of sexual misconduct informally. Because these procedures are confidential, SORC does not play a role in them. If conflicts are not resolved formally, they are persued formally under the sexual offense policy.

The Professional Conduct Review Committee (PCRC) hears formal complaints of sexual misconduct. When this body is convened to consider a charge of sexual misconduct, it operates under different rules and a different timetable -- both of which are outlined in the sexual offense policy -- than it does when it hears complaints about other kinds of misconduct.

- Sara Foss