university policies

> Policy Statement on Sexual Assault/Relationship Violence
> Students Hearings
> Drug and Alcohol Policy

Policy Statement on Sexual Assault/Relationship Violence
Policy 2.6.3
Effective May 2001

Sexual assault and relationship violence are prohibited at the University of Minnesota . Sexual assault and relationship violence, including threats of sexual assault and related relationship violence, are attacks not only on a person's body, but also on the person's dignity, and are not tolerated. To foster a community free from sexual assault and relationship violence, the University provides reporting options, including the police department; victim/survivor assistance; internal mechanisms for discipline and dispute resolution; prevention training; and other related services.

As a University and as a community, we strive to assure that safety and respect the dignity of each student, staff, and faculty member. While the Board of Regents' Policy on Sexual Harassment prohibits conduct covered by this administrative policy, this policy establishes procedures for responding to incident involving sexual assault and relationship violence. The commitment of the entire University community to this policy contributes to our goal of creating a campus free from sexual assault and from other violence that may occur within a personal, intimate relationship.

Because reporting is the only way that action can be taken against an alleged violator of this policy, the University strongly encourages the reporting of sexual assault and relationship violence to appropriate officials. Timely reporting and a medical examination within 72 hours is critical in preserving evidence of sexual assault, and the ability to respond effectively, but a victim/survivor can report an incident at any time.

The University provides an array of on campus services to victims/survivors, including confidential crisis intervention, health care, counseling, and related assistance, including changing academic programs and living situations (if requested and reasonably available). The University provides appropriate judicial/discipline processes that are supportive, fair, expedient, and respectful of the individual needs and rights of all involved. The University provides a variety of education programs and services to all members of the University community.

An electronic version of this policy and a listing of additional resources can be found at: (www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/ppd/documents/policy/Sexual_Assault_Pol.cfm)

Official procedures on how to respond to incidents of sexual assault/relationship violence can be found online at: (www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/ppd/documents/procedure/Sexual_Assault_proc1.cfm)

The Discipline Process

Alleged violations of the Conduct Code (no matter how minor or severe) are matters of concern to the University. Allegations of such individual (or group) misconduct may be reported by the University Police, University departments, individual students, faculty/staff, or campus guests. All allegations of Conduct Code violations are forwarded to the Conduct Code Coordinator to determine (1) whether the alleged misconduct appears, as judged by available evidence, to violate the Conduct Code, (2) which item(s) in the Code may have been violated, and (3) to which agency the complaint should be referred.

Student Hearings

If a disciplinary hearing is conducted; both the reporting party and the accused will be given the opportunity to have a support person with them during proceedings. If either party does not have a support person and wishes to have one, the Office of Student Conduct and academic Integrity will provide the party with options to accommodate their needs.

Once the hearing is concluded and a determination made, the accused student will be informed of the outcome in writing, including information regarding access to an appeal if responsibility for a violation has been established. The reporting party will be informed verbally of any portion of the disposition that has a direct impact on them. The hearings are closed. Therefore the committee's actions will not be made public.

Sanctions that may occur as a result of a determination of a violation include: a warning and admonition, required compliance, probation, suspension or expulsion.

Additional information is available at (www1.umn.edu/usenate/committees/ccsb.html).

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Federal laws require the University to carry out a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs and abuse of alcohol by its students and employees. The University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illicit drugs by students and employees on all of its campuses and facilities, or as part of University-sponsored activities. It also prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances in the workplace. The University's Drug-Free Workplace information can be found online at: (http://www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/ppd/documents/policy/Drug_Free.cfm)