CCU hosts workshop for higher education attorneys

Coastal Carolina University hosted a Title IX workshop that comprised representatives from various colleges and universities within South Carolina to discuss the ever-changing regulations and federal mandates required of institutions of higher education. Representatives of The Citadel, Clemson, Coker and College of Charleston attended the May 19 session.

The purpose of the workshop was to enhance legal assistance to colleges and universities by educating one another on the nature of legal issues campuses face statewide. Institutions of higher education face comparable challenges, and attorneys can learn from each other by sharing how their respective campuses have responded to particular challenges, and how to think proactively in avoiding an issue before a challenge arises. The areas of law discussed in the workshop were Title IX, §1983 exposure, South Carolina residence issues and insurance.

Timothy Meacham, CCU counsel, and Katherine Brooks, legal research specialist, discussed recent case law on Title IX as it relates to 42 U.S. Code §1983 and what implications those cases have on institutions of higher education. BJ Landrum, vice president of University compliance and human resources, and Meredith Canady, deputy compliance officer and Title IX investigator, discussed how to encourage outside agencies to sign memoranda of understanding with the college or university in respect to reporting Title IX cases. They also touched on Freedom of Information Act requests and best practices.

Louis Henry “Tripp” Hutto III, assistant director of residency, led a discussion on issues colleges and universities may face when making residency decisions. Mark Brandenburg, university counsel of The Citadel, educated the group on possible concerns of insurance coverage and helpful policies for colleges and universities.

“We are happy to host the South Carolina university attorneys and honored to work with such professionals,” said Meacham. “It’s extremely worthwhile to meet and share information to improve the quality of legal representation for our institutions. We look forward to next year’s meeting and continued collegiality.”