Additional Information Regarding the College's Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Process
1. The Vice President of Student Life, acting on behalf of the College, is the administrator who determines whether or not a judicial charge is filed, in keeping with the procedures outlined in the Student Conduct Code. A student does not initiate a charge against another student.
2. The College's process will proceed as stated above even if the alleged victim has filed a police report. The College encourages students to report alleged sexual misconduct to outside law enforcement agencies. However, the individual student, not the College, must take such action. The College may consult with and review information provided by municipal authorities, but the College makes its independent determination about whether or not the Student Conduct Code has been violated. The College's investigation and ultimate decision regarding the complaint proceeds independent of decisions made or not made by law enforcement authorities or a court.
3. The College's process as described above is between the College and the students involved. All records and information will be held in the strictest possible confidence. Parents/guardians, attorneys or other outside representatives are not permitted to participate in the process, with the limited exception that if criminal charges are pending against the alleged perpetrator, an attorney may accompany the alleged perpetrator to any Conduct Review Meeting or Judicial Review Board Meeting attended by the alleged perpetrator. The alleged perpetrator may consult with his or her attorney during such Meeting(s), but the attorney may not speak to or address the Residence Life staff member or Board or otherwise represent the alleged perpetrator before the Student Life staff member or Board, orally or in writing. With the student's written permission, the Vice President of Student Life may keep parents appropriately informed regarding the proceedings and outcomes. In accordance with federal law, the alleged victim is entitled to know the outcome of the judicial decision for the alleged perpetrator.
4. False reports will not be tolerated and will be dealt with through the College's judicial process.
5. Alcohol or other substance charges may be filed against either or both parties, as applicable, but the investigation regarding the alleged sexual misconduct complaint will proceed and be resolved first.
6. Appendix IV outlines information for alleged victims of sexual violence. Other information and/or counseling services for alleged victims and alleged perpetrators are available at the Wellness Center.
The College's Title IX Coordinator is responsible for assuring the College's compliance with laws designed to require non-discrimination on the basis of sex. Complaints regarding the College's compliance with such laws may be addressed to the Title IX Coordinator, if the complainant is not satisfied with the resolution reached through other College procedures, or if the complainant prefers to make such complaints directly to the Title IX Coordinator. Complaints may also be addressed to the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, contact information for which is readily available on the internet.