Title IX
Sexual Misconduct: Title IX
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act
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Reporting
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Resources
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Policies
Report an Incident
Oglethorpe encourages all members of our community to report prohibited conduct to the University. Reports and names of individuals are only shared with appropriate university staff members.
Title IX Coordinator: An important role of the Title IX Coordinator is to connect you with resources to help with your personal safety, physical and emotional well-being; explain your rights (i.e. implementing interim measures, providing you with an advocate) and options which include filing a formal complaint and/or contacting the Brookhaven police.
Contact: Austin Rayford, Title IX Coordinator
[email protected]
Reference the University Bulletin for complete details of Oglethorpe’s procedures.
Brookhaven Police: 911 or 678-937-2852
Complainants are encouraged, but not required, to make a formal report to law enforcement. Making a formal report to law enforcement will not impact the university’s responsibility to investigate complaints.
Reminder:
Employees and officials at the university are responsible employees and required to report incidents of sexual misconduct. Licensed counselors and clergy are the only parties that may be allowed to maintain confidentiality. Students seeking confidential resources may consult with the University Counseling Center.
Online: Submit an online Incident Report
In-Person: Student Commons, First Floor TLCC
By phone:
Campus Safety: 404-504-1998
Residence Life Office: 404- 364-8520
These reports should include as much detail as possible, and though reports filed online and via phone can be submitted anonymously, please provide the name of the individual needing help. Reports and names of individuals are only shared with appropriate university staff members.
Resources
If you or someone you know may be the victim of any form of gender-based or sexual misconduct, you are strongly encouraged to seek immediate assistance. Your first priority should be to get to a place of safety. You should then obtain necessary medical treatment as soon as possible in order to prevent or treat sexually transmitted diseases and screen for the presence of any date rape drugs. Undergoing a medical examination is also critical to preserving evidence and is a time-sensitive process. Exams can typically be conducted up to five days from the date of the incident, but you are encouraged to seek assistance as soon as possible to prevent the loss of evidence.
Oglethorpe University resources
Counseling Center (Confidential Resources)*
Title IX Coordinator
Austin Rayford
[email protected]
Community resources
Day League
Decatur MARTA stop
24-hour crisis hotline: 404-377-1428
email: [email protected]
website: www.dayleague.org
Planned Parenthood
GSU MARTA stop
Call for an appointment: 404-688- 9300
Brookhaven Police Department
To file a report: 678-937-2852
National Sexual Assault Helpline
800-799-SAFE (7233)
Department of Education Office of Civil Rights
Atlanta office: 404-974-9406
Email: [email protected]
National resources
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) online hotline and telephone hotline
- Call 800-656-HOPR (4673)
- RAINN online support chat
General Resources, Referrals, and Support:
- Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-500-1119 or 386-255-2102
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- National Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-866-331-9474
- The Federal Government’s Sexual Violence Resource Website
- Rape Crisis Hotline: 1-888-956-RAPE (7273) | 813-964-1964
- Trauma Counseling Services: 813-264-9955
- Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
- Men Stopping Violence
- Planned Parenthood open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:00-4:30
- How to Help a Friend
- Seeking Help
Oglethorpe University Policies and Procedures
Oglethorpe University has policies and procedures in place regarding the receipt, investigation, and resolution of complaints of discrimination. The university will initiate a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into allegations of sex or gender-based discrimination. Oglethorpe University is committed to providing all students with an educational environment free from discrimination. We are dedicated to establishing and maintaining a safe and inclusive campus where all members of the community have the right to be free from any form of sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual coercion or intimidation, and sexual exploitation.
Oglethorpe University’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct can be found in Section 12.3 of the University Bulletin.
Find these policies in the University Bulletin
- Campus Life Policies: section 11.1.
- Alcohol & Drug Policies: section 11.1.12.
- Medical Amnesty Policy: section 11.1.13.
- Sexual Misconduct Policies & Resources: section 12.3.
- Residential Policies
Title IX FAQs
No. Complainants (you) maintain control over who they will talk to, what resources they will use and what information they choose to share; however, the University’s response may be limited based on the information shared by the Complainant. When the University receives a report, it has a duty to evaluate the report to determine the appropriate response and safety of the individual and the community. Your information will be kept private and only shared with those on a “need to know” basis
Even if a Complainant does not wish to participate in any form of resolution, the University is still required to provide reasonable remedies. Remedies may include, but are not limited to:
- assistance with academics, modifications in living arrangements, academic and/or employment schedules;
- no-contact orders; and/or
- counseling and support referrals
Any interim measures taken will be designed to minimize the burden on the Complainant as much as possible.
There is no time limit for invoking Oglethorpe’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct. Oglethorpe prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, which include but are not limited to sexual assault/rape, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual coercion or intimidation, and sexual exploitation. This policy applies to students, faculty, staff, other individuals associated with the University, and third parties. The University actively encourages all members of the community to report and take action to make the University a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment.
Oglethorpe is committed to providing all students and employees with a safe and secure learning and working environment that is free of sex or gender-based discrimination. Reports aid the University in developing strategies for preventing and ending gender-based misconduct, sexual assault, and interpersonal violence.
- Oglethorpe may provide interim measures, resources for ongoing support and multiple options for resolving the matter.
- Oglethorpe can also assist Complainants with contacting local law enforcement if desired.
- Oglethorpe can assist Complainants with the University’s formal resolution process, which may determine if a violation of the University Policy on Sexual Misconduct occurred, and if so, appropriate sanctions for the respondent.
In most cases, no. FERPA is a federal law that protects information about you and your access of university services.
No. Oglethorpe has a Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan Policy. The University recognizes that the potential for disciplinary action for these incidents may act as a barrier to students who would otherwise seek medical assistance themselves or for other students. The primary concern is the well-being, health, and safety of students.
The university has a strict prohibition against any sort of retaliation (in person, using third parties, social media, etc.). The University does not tolerate retaliation or discrimination against any person, and/or their family and friends, who brings forward a complaint, who cooperates in the investigation of a complaint, or who participates in the discipline process for an alleged violation of this policy. The University will not only take steps to prevent retaliation, it will also take strong responsive action if retaliation occurs. The policy applies to all members of the university community. If you face harassment and want to take action in response, you can contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Dean of Students.
The Title IX Coordinator will explain the University’s disciplinary process and your rights during the process. The Coordinator will explain any changes to your courses and residence that may be necessary during the process. The Coordinator will also discuss the availability of interim measures, such as academic flexibility requests, residence changes, or other steps to assist you during the complaint resolution process.
You have the right to have an advisor of your choice present during this meeting.
Although each case is unique, generally the initial meeting takes approximately one hour.
After the meeting you will be contacted by the investigator(s) assigned to the complaint to set up an interview.
The investigator will ask about what happened, asking questions and requesting more details based on your statement provided prior to the interview. They will also request the names of witnesses and other evidence that you might have, such as text messages, e-mails and photos.
The role of the advisor is to assist the student during the process but is not to represent or speak for the student.
After your interview, the investigator will draft an interview summary. You will have the opportunity to review the summary and submit any corrections or other comments.
The Title IX Coordinator shares information on a need-to-know basis, e.g. those involved in the investigation and resolution of the complaint. During the formal complaint resolution process, witnesses will be informed about the complaint against you.
No. That information is only shared by the respondent.
If following the investigation, it is believed that through a preponderance of the evidence a violation may have occurred, the matter will go to the University’s hearing board.
The length of the process depends on the facts of each case, the number of witnesses, university breaks, etc. – but generally the process should take no more than 60 business days or less.
Our Commitment
Oglethorpe University is committed to a safe campus and community. As part of this commitment, the university strives to provide effective resources and equitable processes to all students involved in sexual misconduct, including sexual assault and stalking. The University will act to minimize incidents and recurrence of sexual misconduct, harassment and violence. Oglethorpe, along with the U.S. Department of Education and its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), believes that providing all students with an educational environment free from discrimination is extremely important. The sexual harassment of students, including sexual violence, interferes with students’ right to receive an education free from discrimination and, in the case of sexual violence, is a crime.
Sexual violence can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, gender or sexual orientation. This website provides resources and information for the reporting party (complainant), the accused (respondent), faculty and staff, parents and friends. If you have questions or need to talk with someone at the university, please contact the university’s Title IX Coordinator or Oglethorpe’s counseling center.
Our Policy
Oglethorpe University’s policies related to Sexual Violence and Misconduct can be found in Section 14 of the University Bulletin. Our faculty and staff work to provide the most updated policies on Sexual Violence and Misconduct, so please be sure to read directly from the highlighted link.