Office of the President

Cozen System and Campus Report Findings Released

July 17, 2023

Dear Campus Community, 

As part of a systemwide effort across our 23 California State University campuses, the Cozen O’Connor Institutional Response Group (Cozen) assessed how Cal Poly Pomona, and our sister campuses, respond to reports and incidents of discrimination and harassment. Cozen’s findings and final assessment of Cal Poly Pomona and the CSU Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR) programs were shared earlier today.

I want to assure you that we are taking the findings of this report seriously and leaders across the CSU system, myself and my leadership team at Cal Poly Pomona are steadfastly pursuing ways to nurture and strengthen our culture of care, safety, belonging and respect.

With these important findings now in hand, Cal Poly Pomona’s Implementation Team will work throughout the fall to engage campus stakeholders regarding the findings and advance Cozen’s recommendations. Key areas of focus and action over the months to come will include: 

  • Strengthening infrastructure, internal processes and collaboration
  • Enhancing awareness and visibility of the role and function of CPP’s Office of Equity and Compliance (OEC)
  • Strengthening campus prevention and education programs
  • Responding to Other Conduct of Concern by establishing the Office of Conflict Resolution Services & Ombuds and implementing other recommendations

The full written report of the systemwide Cozen assessment, and a summary of it, are available on the CSU’s Commitment to Change website and the report on Cal Poly Pomona is available here. As part of the report, Cozen acknowledged the Cal Poly Pomona OEC team for “…a high level of fluency, competence, and experience with respect to Title IX and DHR, and…a strong working relationship with campus partner offices.” While I am gratified for recognition of this strong foundation, the called for improvements are necessary and important for the care and wellbeing of our community.

In addition, on May 24, Cozen presented to the Board of Trustees an initial overview of their assessment. (View a recording of the presentation here.)

This work will be very challenging. My trust, full support and thanks go to the Implementation Team members who will invest their time, energy and expertise in this vital effort so important to all of us. Our goals of ensuring a campus climate characterized by respect, civility, and belonging for all will require substantial planning, additional resources and personnel, and will be accomplished in stages. We will continue to engage the campus community in dialogue regarding our progress and specific plans as they are developed and evolve.

Thank you again for helping to ensure Cal Poly Pomona is a safe and inclusive community where all can thrive.

Sincerely,

Soraya M. Coley, Ph.D.
President