Understanding Sexual Harassment Policies

Actual awareness refers to when an individual knows about or has been informed of sexual harassment claims by a Title IX Coordinator or authorized official within the institution.

• Realization involves receiving reports directly from those affected or through designated confidential channels.
• A responsible party is any staff member required to alert Title IX officials about incidents, covering faculty, residential staff, campus security, academic personnel, athletic teams, supervisors, administrators, and support teams.
• Confidential resources maintain privacy throughout investigations, including health services, spiritual advisors, and counseling professionals.
• Liability through indirect actions or shared responsibility does not meet institutional requirements.

The following situations do not grant authority to implement corrective actions:

• Simply being able to file a report
• Guiding students on reporting processes
• Receiving training on reporting procedures

Advisor refers to a designated supporter for complainants or respondents during grievance hearings, providing guidance though not necessarily legal representation. The college maintains a roster of qualified advisors for those seeking assistance.

Complainant denotes an individual who is believed to have experienced behavior classified as harassment or misconduct. Complicity describes deliberate participation in or facilitation of prohibited actions.

Consent represents an enthusiastic, ongoing, and revocable agreement to specific sexual activities. It cannot be assumed from silence, lack of resistance, or prior relationships. Consent is invalid if obtained through coercion, manipulation, or impairment from substances. Dating Violence encompasses abusive behaviors within romantic contexts. Decision Makers are administrators tasked with adjudicating cases involving students or employees respectively. Deliberate Indifference signifies disregard for known harassment risks. Domestic Violence involves abuse by intimate partners or family members. Education Programs refer to settings where the institution exercises substantial oversight over participants and environments. Exculpatory Evidence supports the accused's position, potentially clearing them of responsibility. Formal Complaint initiates an official investigation into alleged misconduct. Investigator is a trained official appointed to assess complaints. Incapacitation occurs when individuals cannot consent due to mental/physical impairment, intoxication, or unconsciousness. Inculpatory Evidence demonstrates involvement in alleged incidents. Preponderance of Evidence establishes the likelihood of policy violations. Respondent is the person accused of misconduct. Supportive Measures are accommodations ensuring equitable access and safety during proceedings. The Title IX Team comprises rotating members serving as investigators and decision-makers to uphold institutional standards.