Difficult conversations seem to come easily to Jennifer Hammat, the new Title IX coordinator for George Mason University.
Her direct and open manner should serve her well in a job that focuses on eliminating sexual discrimination, sexual misconduct and sexual harassment at the university.
“Jennifer brings a wealth of experience to the job,” said Julian Williams, vice president of Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics. “It’s an important position in terms of helping Mason meet its moral and ethical role of protecting students from sexual violence.”
Working with students runs in the family; Hammat’s mother worked in student affairs at Murray State University in Kentucky. Dinner table conversations included budgets, student conduct and other higher educational issues. Early on, Hammat thought she wanted to be a physical therapist but soon found her role helping students. “I got bitten by the student affairs bug,” she said.
Once known primarily as a vehicle to provide equal access for sports, Title IX is more focused today on ending sexual discrimination in education.
“We want to make sure all students have equal access to their education,” Hammat said. “We want students, faculty and staff to know we simply won’t tolerate sexual violence here. We want them to report it.”
In cases where there’s not an immediate threat to safety, a friend or colleague may notice something is not quite right or “off”—a friend seems down, or is missing class but doesn’t want to talk, for instance. They still can access Mason’s resources, Hammat said.
“A lot of folks don’t want to share details until they’re ready,” said Hammat, who can help with academic accommodations that include excused absences from class. “After the fact, most people don’t know what they want to do. Part of the process is trying to figure out what they need.”
Those conversations are difficult and sensitive.
“You see a lot of people on their worst day,” Hammat said. “We try to restore them as close to whole as possible.”
Confidentiality is guaranteed, and reports can be anonymous. Mason has on-campus resources, including Wellness, Alcohol, and Violence Education and Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Office of Student Support, Department of Police and Public Safety, and the Office of Student Conduct.
Hammat will be focusing on communication in the coming months, so expect posters and other messages to be seen on campus. She’ll also be attending student events to talk to students about sex.
“How do you get consent?” she asked. “We’re not a country that teaches it.”
Those in-person conversations about sex can be awkward but are necessary, she said.
“I tell students to go to a mirror and practicing saying it. You have to ask them if they want to be with you.”
Technology has made it easier to meet people but knowing who the person really is on the other end of the Snapchat is another matter, Hammat said.
“Part of it is teaching students to be less trusting and have more face-to-face dialogues,” she said. “The kind of conversation they have on a mobile device is very different from the kind they would have in person.”
While most students aren’t predators, bad actors come in all shapes and sizes.
“Students don’t think about being a victim—they’re thinking about what they’re going to do that night and how to get home,” Hammat said.
If you’re not sure if sexual misconduct—including sexual harassment in the workplace—has occurred, a two-minute phone call with Hammat can give you guidance. She can be reached at 703-993-8730 or jhammat@gmu.edu.