Kristi Clemens has been named Dartmouth’s Title IX coordinator and Clery compliance officer, Interim Provost David Kotz announced today.
Clemens, who since 2013 has been the assistant dean of student affairs and director of case management, has served in the position on an interim basis since April, when her predecessor, Allison O’Connell, stepped down.
“Kristi has long been a tremendous partner to students, faculty, and staff seeking to promote a safer campus,” Kotz says. “She brings a deep commitment to student wellbeing and the entire Dartmouth community.”
Of taking on the role, Clemens says, “I am so pleased to continue supporting Dartmouth students, faculty, and staff. This work is a critical aspect of creating and maintaining a safe and comfortable environment on campus, and I hope to bring stability and consistency to an office of such vital importance to the institution.”
As assistant dean, Clemens has served as the primary case manager for students in crisis, establishing case management protocols and coordinating a network of services that spans the offices of residential life, academic advising, multicultural affairs, counseling and health services, judicial affairs, and campus safety. She was named deputy Title IX coordinator in 2017.
As Title IX coordinator, Clemens reports directly to the provost, with a dotted line to General Counsel Sandhya Iyer. Her appointment comes after a national search supported by an internal committee. Members of the committee included Associate Provost Martha Austin, Tuck Assistant Dean and Director of the MBA Program Sally Jaeger, Associate Professor of Religion Gil Raz, Associate General Counsel Dana Scaduto, and Director of Judicial Affairs Katharine Strong.
“Kristi’s deep familiarity with our campus community will position her to lead Dartmouth’s compliance with applicable regulatory requirements as well as our ongoing efforts to deliver training and implement our policies effectively,” Iyer says. “I look forward to continuing to work with her.”
The Title IX coordinator position was created in 2014 as part of a comprehensive effort to decrease high-risk and harmful behavior on campus and centralize Dartmouth’s coordination of compliance with federal regulations, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs, and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which requires universities to report on campus safety and related matters.
“I plan to enhance our outreach, education, and response for all members of the Dartmouth community over the coming years,” Clemens says. “With engagement and support from everyone, we can continue to build a more welcoming and respectful campus climate for all.”
Clemens, who holds a bachelor’s degree in speech and interpersonal communication from New York University and a master’s of education in higher education and student affairs administration from the University of Vermont, began her career in higher education at NYU, where she was a community development educator and assistant director of residential education. She joined the Dartmouth staff in 2009 as associate director of residential education and served for nine months as acting director of Greek letter organizations and societies before being named assistant dean of undergraduate students in 2011.
Hannah Silverstein can be reached at hannah.silverstein@dartmouth.edu.