New Title IX coordinator to deal with harassment, discrimination complaints

Title IX Coordinator Dee Uwono

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa has taken a key step in expanding its sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention programs by hiring a dedicated Title IX coordinator. Dee Uwono will oversee the University’s response to all Title IX complaints, which includes resolving Title IX disputes, and providing training to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex.

Uwono established UHM’s Judicial Affairs Office and led it as director from November 2007 to August 2014. In that capacity, she served as lead investigator for all Title IX and other discrimination cases filed by students.  Uwono has also trained and coordinated the training of Title IX coordinators across the 10 campuses of the UH System, served on the UHM Title IX Steering Committee, and is currently a member of the President’s Title IX Steering Committee.

From September 2014 to April 2015, Uwono was appointed Interim Dean of Students at Honolulu Community College, where she was the Title IX deputy coordinator for students.

The UHM Title IX Office will report directly to Mānoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman and will include two additional support personnel. 

“We are pleased that Dee will lead the Title IX Office during this critical time in the development of our program,” said Chancellor Bley-Vroman. “Her appointment demonstrates our commitment to creating a safe and nondiscriminatory learning environment, where students, faculty, staff and visitors know how to get help if they need it.”

Said Uwono, “I look forward to implementing a system that ensures reports and complaints are handled consistently, fairly and efficiently, and to coordinate effectively with advocacy groups, service providers, public safety and local law enforcement representatives.” 

Uwono earned her Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education in 2010. She holds a Masters in Educational Administration and a BA in Zoology from UH Mānoa.

Uwono’s hire comes as the University of Hawai‘i System recently announced an update to its sexual assault and harassment policy (Read the Policy: EP 1.204 Policy and Procedural Guidelines on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking). The February 2015 policy update reaffirms UH’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment across all campuses and having zero tolerance for gender violence and harassment.

For more information, visit: http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/titleix/