Procedures for Reporting Sexual Misconduct

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Thomas More University encourages any complainant of sexual misconduct to report the incident immediately. Complainants of sexual assault may feel uncomfortable in reporting the incident.  The University offers support to any person in reporting such an incident and dealing with emotional and physical trauma, which may result from the assault.

Reporting incidents of Sexual Misconduct involving students should be reported to the:

  1. Office of the Dean of Student Affairs; or
  2. Department of Campus Safety; or
  3. Title IX Coordinator (Director of Human Resources)
  4. In incidents involving sexual assault, the complainant is encouraged to immediately contact one of these offices after contacting local law enforcement, and getting medical attention as needed.

All faculty, staff and student employees at Thomas More University, except where protected by privilege, are required to notify the Dean of Student Affairs, Campus Safety or the Title IX Coordinator if an instance of sexual misconduct is reported to them.

University Response

  1. Both parties involved in the sexual misconduct case will be offered an advocate who will advise them of the following:
    1. Their rights within the University
    2. The requirement to investigate the allegation and duty of the University to respond to on-going threats
    3. The internal and external support systems available (required in writing)
    4. The right to remain anonymous whenever possible
    5. The right to notify law enforcement (and assist if requested)/ process to obtain protective orders and the right to have current orders enforced on campus (required in writing)
    6. The process and importance of preserving evidence
    7. The right to change living conditions and academic classes (required in writing)
    8. The right to obtain a no-contact order and the process to obtain such order
    9. The right to alter on-campus work conditions.
  2. The advocate will serve as an advisor throughout the investigation, completion of the University’s response and the University discipline process (if initiated) to assist both parties, advise of the process and serve as a source of support.
  3. The University, consistent with federal regulations and best interests of the students, will make available to the student complainant the ability to change residence hall rooms and course schedules when deemed necessary to protect the complainant or allow for the student to fully participate as a member of the community.
  4. In collaboration with the Dean of Student Affairs, the Title IX Coordinator will initiate an investigation to determine whether sufficient evidence of an on-going threat exists to the complainant or the community and to determine whether to initiate disciplinary proceedings if requested. Upon determination of an on-going threat to the community or complainant, the Dean of Student Affairs will initiate an action plan to address the threat/ notify the community implemented. Upon determination that there is probable cause of a Student Code of Conduct violation, discipline proceedings are initiated at the request of the complainant pursuant to the Thomas More University Student Code of Conduct or the matter referred to the executive officer responsible for the division which employs the respondent in situations involving a member of the faculty or staff.
  5.  Appropriate sanctions will be administered where appropriate as a result of the student discipline process for complaints against students.
  6.  Appropriate action will be taken against a member of the faculty or staff, consistent with faculty/staff manual for complaints against members of the faculty and staff.
  7. Notification will be made to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education whenever an investigation provides probable cause that a violation of the sexual misconduct policy occurs.

Confidentiality/ Duty to Notify/ Notification of Parents

Thomas More University encourages every complainant to report instances of sexual misconduct and to utilize the resources available to provide support. Complainants have the right to request that they remain anonymous and the University will make every effort to honor this request. It is a requirement of the institution that an investigation be conducted, even when anonymity is requested, to ensure that an on-going threat does not exist to the community. When the result of the investigation finds that there is indeed an on-going threat, the University is obligated to issue a timely warning to the University community. However, every effort will be made to honor the confidentiality of the complainant when requested. Thomas More University does reserve the right to notify parents when there exists a substantial concern for the student’s safety and well-being, pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Education Right to Privacy Act.

Private Reporting

Students have the opportunity to seek the assistance of the University’s counselor and to seek the assistance of other faculty and staff members on campus. When engaging in a counseling relationship with the University’s licensed therapists or in a nurse-patient relationship with the campus nurse, your personal information is protected, with the EXCEPTION, that the counselor or nurse must make notification of non-personalized information regarding the incident when a threat exists to others.

All faculty, staff and student employees at Thomas More University, except where protected by privilege, are required to notify the Dean of Student Affairs, Campus Safety or the Title IX Coordinator if an instance of sexual misconduct is reported to them.