A faculty or staff member is often the first person at the College a student will tell if they have experienced any discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault or sexual misconduct. As faculty and staff, we know you are committed to supporting our students to the best of your ability. The following resources and information can help you as you help our students.
Employee Duty to Report
Responsible Employees are those College employees who are not Confidential Resources and have authority to take action to redress sexual harassment or provide interim measures to students (i.e. you are a supervisor for students), or have a duty to report sexual harassment to an appropriate school official who has that authority.
If a Responsible Employee learns, in the course of their employment, that a student may have experienced conduct prohibited by this Policy, they must promptly notify the Title IX Officer or designee. Responsible Employees cannot keep conversations confidential.
For this reason, if an individual approaches you and asks to take you into confidence, it is best for you to notify the individual that you have an obligation to report things that you are told and that, if the individual truly wants confidentiality, they should seek Confidential Resources.
In addition, if any of the following people learn, in the course of employment, that any other person affiliated with the College may have experienced Prohibited Conduct, they must promptly notify the Title IX Officer or designee:
(i) Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinators;
(ii) Residential advisors;
(iii) Housing directors, coordinators, or deans;
(iv) Student life directors, coordinators, or deans;
(v) Athletic directors, coordinators, or deans;
(vi) Coaches of any student athletic or academic team or activity;
(vii) Faculty and associate faculty, teachers, instructors, or lecturers;
(viii) Laboratory directors, coordinators, or principal investigators;
(ix) Internship or externship directors or coordinators; or
(x) Study abroad program directors or coordinators.
Reporting Requirements
Anytime a disclosure is made during a personal discussion with you (before/after class, in your office hours, outside of class, when leading a trip, etc.) regarding potential sexual discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct, you have an obligation to report. To report, all you need to do is contact the Title IX Office with the information that you know about the incident. You never should act as an investigator to gain more information that what was shared with you. The Title IX Office will manage the follow-up with the individual through the Title IX process.
You are required to share all information that was shared with you when you report/connect to the Title IX Office including:
- Name(s) of individual involved
- Date and time (if available)
- Location of incident (if available)
- Description of what was shared
How to respond when someone shares information about an incident
First and foremost, trust the individual and make no judgment about what is being shared. Asking specific questions about the incident can be received as blaming and we want to avoid re-traumatize a person to the extent possible. Your goal is to respond with care and concern for their well-being. Often everyday activities can be challenging for those reporting, so you can be helpful in verifying they are feeling safe, attending class, etc. People who have experienced a traumatic situation do not always respond the way we think they will (or the way we think they should) based on their circumstances. It is important to not place judgment on their affect, their memories or their choices at that time. Many people will also need time to process what happened before they are prepared to talk about it.
- It is important that you remind the person that you are a Responsible Employee and have a duty to connect them to the Title IX Office.
- They can expect to hear from the Title IX Office within one business day.
- They have the right to access confidential resources and are not required to meet with anyone in the Title IX Office.
- ONLY Ask safety questions only and connect them to resources that can help them feel the safest.
When you talk with someone who is sharing their experiences with you, please be very aware of the impact of your words and reactions. Hear the experience as the student describes it. Articulate clearly that you believe the student and you want to provide support in any way you can.
Type of Good questions to ask:
- Do you feel safe?
- What will help you feel the safest on campus?
- How can I support you?
Type of Questions to avoid (judgmental questions):
- Why were you walking alone?
- Were you drinking?
- Did you say no or fight back?
For additional support and reminders please review the Employee's Duty to Report handout.