A complainant of sexual misconduct may, but need not, file a criminal complaint with law enforcement officials, file a misconduct report with a Privileged Employee or the Title IX Coordinator, or each. A report may be filed anonymously, although anonymous reports may make it difficult for the University to address the complaint. Any individual who believes that the student is a victim of sexual misconduct should report allegations of sexual misconduct promptly.

All reports of sexual misconduct alleged to have been committed by a student will be managed consistently with requirements set forth in Appendix B. Section III. Process for Investigating and Resolving Reports of Student Misconduct.

All reports of sexual misconduct alleged to have been committed by a non-student member of the VSU community will be addressed and or resolved through the VSU and Board of Regents’ applicable policies for discipline of nonstudents.

A. Institutional Reports

Complainants of sexual misconduct who wish to file a report with the University should notify a Responsible Employee or report to the Office of Student Conduct & Title IX by submitting an incident report online (Title IX Report Form) or contacting the office by phone at (229) 333-5409 or by email at studentconduct@valdosta.edu.

Responsible Employees informed about sexual misconduct allegations involving any student should not attempt to resolve the situation, must notify, and report all relevant information to the Title IX Coordinator as soon as practicable. Privileged Employees are not bound by this requirement but may, consistent with their ethical and legal obligations, be required to report limited information about incidents without revealing the identities of the individuals involved to the Title IX Coordinator. All members of the VSU community are encouraged to report incidents of sexual misconduct promptly.

VSU has Deputy Title IX Coordinators to whom reports may be made, as well. Complainants are encouraged to report their complaints in writing, though oral complaints will also be accepted, taken seriously, and investigated, to the extent possible. While complaints should be made as quickly as possible following an alleged incident of sexual misconduct, all reports will be accepted regardless of when reported.

The Title IX Coordinator will refer to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs any allegation(s) of sexual misconduct that could, standing alone as reported, lead to the suspension or expulsion of the respondent(s). The Assistant Vice Chancellor will work with VSU to determine whether any interim measure(s) are necessary. If an allegation is not initially identified as one that would lead to the suspension or expulsion of the respondent(s), but facts arise during the investigation that would require counsel from the Assistant Vice Chancellor, the Title IX Coordinator will initiate that contact and transfer oversight to the Assistant Vice Chancellor or their designee, if instructed. The Assistant Vice Chancellor has the discretion to gain oversight or remand oversight to the University.

 B.   Law Enforcement Reports

Because sexual misconduct may constitute criminal activity, a complainant also has the option, should he or she so choose, of filing a report with campus or local police, for his or her own protection and that of the surrounding community. The institution may assist the complainant in reporting the incident to law enforcement officials.

Complainants considering filing a report of sexual misconduct with law enforcement should preserve any evidence of sexual misconduct, including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. Clothing worn during the incident including undergarments;
  2. Sheets, bedding, and condoms, if used;
  3. Lists of witnesses with contact information;
  4. Text messages, call history, social media posts;
  5. Pictures of injuries;
  6. Videos.

C.   Anonymous Reports

Reports of sexual misconduct can be reported anonymously to University Police (229) 333-7816, on the UPD website at https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/police/forms/anonymous-tip-reporting.php, or with the Counseling Center (https://www.valdosta.edu/student/student-services/counseling-center/). 

 

 

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