Alma College
Quick Guide to Policies, Procedures and Plans
Responding to
Sexual Assault, Date Rape, Domestic Violence
Sexual Misconduct & Sexual Harassment
Harassment & Hate Crimes
Michigan Stalking Law
Alma College Non-Discrimination Policy
Student Behavior Expectations/Crisis
Fall 2009
Introduction
Alma College is committed to creating a community free from any form of violence.
We are an educational community committed to the personal growth and self-determination of every individual. This is a quick guide to the policies, procedures and plans for responding to allegations of sexual assault, date rape, domestic violence, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, harassment, hostile and hate Crimes, the Michigan Stalking, and the Alma College Non-Discrimination Policy.
This quick guide has been designed to empower individuals to take control of their lives should such an incident occur.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nicholas Piccolo
Vice President for Student Life
Alma College Non-Discrimination Policy
Alma College's nondiscrimination policy includes age, color, creed, gender, national origin, physical ability, race, religion and sexual orientation.
Definitions
Sexual Assault/Date Rape/Domestic Violence
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual Harassment
Michigan Stalking
Harassment & Hate Crimes
Harassment & Hostile Work Environment
Retaliation
Sexual Assault/Date Rape/Domestic Violence
What to Do If You Believe You Have Been Sexually Assaulted
Go to a safe place. Call a support person. Then do one of the following:
Contact the Women's Aid Service (SANE), 989/772-9168.
Call the Alma Police Department at 911.
Go to Gratiot Community Hospital, 300 E. Warwick Drive, Alma, MI 48801. Phone: 463-1101.
Why go for help? You may have internal injuries and you may need a physical examination. You need to be checked for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Additionally, the assault needs to be legally documented and evidence collected, whether or not you plan to press charges.
As a follow-up, report the sexual assault to the Vice President for Student Life, 463-7333, in the Tyler Van Dusen Student Center. Seek supportive counseling from the Counseling and Wellness Center, 463-7225, Wilcox Medical Center North building, or a student may seek support of counseling from a number of available community resources provided through the Counseling and Wellness Center.
Alma College Sexual Assault Victim's Bill of Rights
The standards by which our community holds itself accountable for sexual violence are articulated in this Bill of Rights. Its purpose is to forge a community-wide commitment to ending violence and to provide assistance to victims in a sensitive and respectful manner.
Bill of Rights
Any victim of sexual violence at Alma College has the right to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of gender, cultural background, age, sexual orientation, income, cognitive abilities, physical abilities, sexual, medical and mental health history.
Treating victims with respect and dignity requires that we acknowledge that sexual violence is unacceptable and that no one deserves to be, or asks to be, a victim of such violence; nor are victims responsible for the violence committed against them.
Any victim of sexual violence at Alma College has the right to an array of protective and retributive services, including:
- Timely access to emergency and crisis counseling services.
- The option of being accompanied by an advocate while receiving victim services.
- Information regarding reporting requirements, legal rights, and legal resources.
- Information about safety planning and protection services.
- Information about appropriate follow-up services.
Alma College Procedures for Addressing Sexual Assault
Allegations of violations of sexual assault, or sexual misconduct brought to the Student Life Office will be investigated in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Hearings and Adjudications sections of the Student Life Handbook.
Sexual assault is defined as sexual contact, touching or penetration of a person's intimate parts, if any of the following circumstances exists:
- Force or coercion is used to accomplish the sexual contact without the person's consent.
- The victim is mentally incapacitated by being rendered temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling his/her conduct due to the influence of alcohol, other drugs or substances ingested by or administered to that person with or without his/her consent.
- The victim is physically helpless by unconsciousness, sleep, or any other reason unable to communicate his/her unwillingness to participate in the act.
- The perpetrator knew or should have known that the victim was mentally incapacitated or physically helpless.
These definitions are modeled after Michigan State law regarding Criminal Sexual Conduct (Michigan Penal Code, section 750.520a-e).
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct is defined as the intentional touching of a person's intimate parts or the clothing covering the immediate area of a person's intimate parts without his/her consent, if the touching can be reasonably construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification.
These definitions are modeled after Michigan State law regarding Criminal Sexual Conduct (Michigan Penal Code, section 750.520a-e).
The use of alcohol or other drugs will not be considered a defense.
Sexual Harassment
Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act 453 of 1976, as Amended by Public Act 202 of 1980. Sec 103(h). Discrimination because of sex includes sexual harassment which means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal conduct, physical conduct, or communication of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct or communication is made a term or condition either explicitly or implicitly to obtain employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing.
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct or communication by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting such individual's employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing.
- Such conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment, public accommodations, public services, education, or housing environment.
Michigan Stalking Law
Michigan penal code defines "stalking" as: "...a willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of another individual that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested, and that actually causes the victim to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested."
Harassment & Hate Crimes
The Michigan Ethnic Intimidation Act, Public Act 371 of 1988, provides criminal law protections from individuals who threaten or actually cause physical contact or damage to persons or property because of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin. In addition, Alma College will not tolerate harassment or hate crimes due to an individual's sexual orientation.
Harassment & Hostile Work Environment
Quid pro quo means "this for that" and occurs when employment or education decisions or exceptions (e.g. hiring decisions, grades, admissions, salary increases, tenure, etc.) are based on a person's willingness to grant or deny sexual favors.
A hostile environment is present when verbal or non-verbal behavior is in the workplace or the education setting. This environment can focus on the sexuality of another person or occurs because of the person's gender, is unwanted or unwelcome, and is severe or pervasive enough to adversely affect the person's work or learning environment. Hostile work environment, harassment, speech or conduct is defined as:
- "severe or pervasive" enough to alter the victims condition of employment,
- "Hostile or abusive work or learning environment",
- Including but not limited to: race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, citizenship status, marital status, or personal appearance.
Some recommended procedures to decrease the risk of harassment and/or hostile environment are:
- Leave the office door open when talking to employees, students, etc.
- Walk into the hall to speak with someone rather than remaining alone in a classroom, office, or other room with the person.
- Don't invite a student or employee to your residence unless there is a third person present.
- Don't offer a ride to a student or employee unless there is a third person in the car.
- Be professional in all your dealings.
- DON'T TOUCH even when it seems all right to do so.
Retaliation
Retaliation is against the law. An example of this might be:
- Disciplining, firing, or suspending a subordinate or student who ends a romantic relationship.
- Changing performance expectations after a subordinate or student refuses requests for dates, or declines requests for sexual favors.
Alma College Procedures for Addressing Sexual Harassment
Alma College investigates all reports of sexual harassment and when confirmed, takes prompt, corrective disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
To enable the College to act, employees and students have two options: an informal consultation with a campus ombudsperson or Vice President, or a formal complaint. Hourly employees are urged to report sexual harassment to the Director of Human Resources; salaried professional staff should report to the Vice President of the sector or to the President. Students are urged to report to the Vice President for Student Life or the Provost.
The Director of Human Resources and the Vice Presidents are instructed to cooperate fully in implementing this policy by investigating thoroughly and taking appropriate action, consistent with due process, on any complaints of alleged harassment.
In the event the complaint is against a faculty member and the action taken involves dismissal or possible dismissal of the individual, the Provost will follow procedures in the Manual of Organizations and Operation (MOO) regarding "serious violation of professional ethics of personal behavior destructive to the College community." These procedural statements are found in Section V, Subsection IX of the MOO.
If the infraction involves an administrative employee at any level, the Vice President responsible for the sector will handle the complaint using procedures listed in the Alma College harassment policy printed in the MOO, including the opportunity for a hearing by the Administrative Grievance Committee, the President and by a Board of Trustees Hearing Committee.
A complaint involving a Vice President may be taken to the President. A complaint involving the President may be taken to the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
If the infraction involves an hourly employee, the Director of Human Resources will handle the complaint using procedures explained in the Support Staff Employee Handbook and include the opportunity for a hearing by a Grievance Committee of peers and appeal to the President.
If the complaint is against a student the Vice President for Student Life will handle the matter according to the Judicial Process and Appeal Procedures section of the Student Life Handbook.
Statement on Relationships
Alma College is responsible to provide clear direction to the College community about the professional risks associated with amorous and/or sexual relationships in which a definite power differential between the parties exists. Alma College is committed to fostering the development of learning and work environments in which behavior is professional, ethical and free of unfair discrimination.
Amorous/sexual relationships which might be appropriate in other circumstances are problematic when they occur between any faculty or staff member of the College and any student or supervisee for whom he or she has professional (i.e., evaluative or supervisory) responsibility for the following two reasons:
- Questionable Voluntary Consent. When a faculty or staff member uses threats to coerce his or her student or supervisee into a relationship, overt sexual harassment has occurred. However, even when the relationship appears to be consensual, fear of retaliation by the faculty or staff member may be one of the factors that motivates the student or supervisee to allow the relationship to begin and continue. In such circumstances, the relationship would not be fully consensual.
- Conflict of Interest. Conflicts of interest may arise in connection with consensual amorous and/or sexual relationships between faculty or staff members and students or supervisees for whom they have professional responsibility.
Not every amorous and/or sexual relationship in these circumstances will necessarily result in unfair grades, job evaluations, or absence of voluntary consent. However, to knowingly pursue a relationship despite these grave dangers is unprofessional and may lead to charges of unethical conduct.
Faculty and staff members must also take steps to ensure that these dangers do not arise from any amorous and/or sexual relationships in which they are already involved. Thus, for instance, job performance evaluations of a spouse should be delegated to a suitable colleague; and partners should take a course from someone other than the instructor with whom they are involved. When this is impossible, grading responsibility should be delegated to a suitable colleague.
Procedures for Addressing Harassment
How you can deal with sexual harassment.
Dealing with sexual harassment is not easy. It is helpful to remember:
- You are not to blame. Sexual harassment is about power and intimidation, not sex.
- You can seek advice and learn what your options are and become familiar with the College's sexual harassment policy and procedures; they are outlined in this manual. Discussing your options is not the same thing as filing a formal grievance. You need to make an informed decision that is best for you.
- You do not have to handle this alone!!!.
If you believe that you are being or have been sexually harassed, you should immediately take the following steps:
- Talk with at least one person who you trust about the sexual harassment and/or seek advice and assistance from one of the campus support services listed in this manual.
- Keep a written record of all incidents of sexual harassment as soon as they occur regardless of whether or not you plan to file a formal grievance. Describe in detail the behavior, date and time the incident occurred, any action you may have taken and the names of witnesses.
You are encouraged to consider the following suggestions, although these actions are not required to file a complaint of sexual harassment:
- Do not assume the offensive behavior will stop if you simply ignore it.
- Communicate to the offender that you dislike his/her behavior. Be as firm and direct as necessary.
- Initially you may choose to indirectly demonstrate your discomfort. Some examples:
- Refuse any social invitations from the perpetrator.
- Avoid one-on-one meetings by bringing a third party to any necessary appointments.
- Refuse to answer or change the subject when he/she asks personal questions not related to professional or academic work.
- If the offender does not respond to indirect displays of rejection, firmly state that his/her behavior, jokes or language make you feel uncomfortable and that you want them to stop.
- If a verbal confrontation seems too distressing, a written request to the offender can be made. Send the letter by certified mail and keep a copy. The letter should remain confidential and include three parts:
- A detailed description of the offender's behaviors as you perceived them.
- A description of how the behavior made you feel emotionally and physically.
- A concluding statement that you want the behavior to stop, and an indication of the steps you will take if the harassment continues.
- If the sexual harassment does not stop, you are strongly encouraged to report the incident to the Vice President for Student Life, Director of Human Resources, or one of the other Vice Presidents. It is important and necessary to report the behavior to someone. If you choose not to file a formal grievance, you may still seek assistance from one of the above individuals or from the Counseling and Wellness Center, the Student Life Office, Chaplain's Office or Wilcox Health Services Center.
Policy for Student Behavior Expectations
A student shall take no action that threatens or endangers his or her own safety, health or life. This includes eating disorders, cutting and suicide attempts.
Alma College holds individuals accountable for their behavior and holds all members of the College community to the same behavior expectations. The behavior of individuals must conform to community standards of health, safety and noninterference with the living and learning environment of others.
Students with mental health issues may find it challenging to conform to community behavior expectations. It is the hope of the Alma College community that awareness of behavior expectations results in obtaining the appropriate services that help students achieve academic success and social potential.
Behavior that is a threat to self or others and behavior that disturbs the living and learning environments of others are not considered acceptable on the Alma College campus.
Policy on Self Injury and Attempted Suicide
A student shall take no action that threatens or endangers his or her own safety, health, life, nor shall a student make any verbal threat of such action. This includes behaviors such as suicide attempts, cutting, and refusing treatment for life threatening illnesses or conditions (e.g., eating disorders).
If such behavior becomes apparent to College personnel, referral to appropriate assistance and/or discipline, including dismissal, may follow.
The student's emergency contact person(s) also may be notified in certain situations. Alma College encourages individuals in need of help to seek assistance. The College will not tolerate behavior that has significant negative impact on the living and learning environment of others.
When a student has undergone involuntary or voluntary withdrawal after self-injurious behavior, return to campus depends upon, but is not limited to the following:
- Therapy with a licensed mental health professional - counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist - for not less than one month or three visits. In some cases, the student must be stable and free from major incident for six months, as verified by your mental or physical health-care professional and by your parents.
- Letters from mental health and medical professionals stating that the student is stable and clearing his/her return to the College.
- A decision by The Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) upon the student's return about whether or not on-going therapy is needed by an outside agency or at The Counseling and Wellness Center.
Cases that require The Counseling and Wellness Center to refer a student to an outside provider and not offer further services include but are not limited to:
- A history of long-term therapy or psychiatric hospitalizations.
- The number of concerns and frequency of contact needed to address a student's problems or behavior.
- Needs beyond the scope of The Counseling and Wellness Center's services.
- A student's lack of motivation to change or unwillingness to accept recommendations for treatment.
- Multiple diagnoses or severe problems requiring more comprehensive response and follow-up beyond The Counseling and Wellness Center's scope.
- Self injury so severe that it requires extensive follow-up.
Policy for Crisis Intervention
If an individual is a danger to himself or herself, if the behavior is out of control or if other people are in perceived danger, please follow these steps:
If the emergency is life threatening, call 911. Contact the Administrator on Duty (AOD) from the Student Life Office, at 989/560-5972. OR, if the crisis is of a mental health nature, contact The Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) at #7225. If the CWC staff is unable to respond to the crisis (after 5 p.m. and/or weekends) call the Crisis On-Call Worker at Gratiot County Community Mental Health (CMH) at 1-800-622-5583.
The Crisis On-Call Worker will discuss the situation with the person calling to determine the course of action.
If a student needs to be seen and assessed, the Crisis On-Call Worker will meet the student at Gratiot Community Hospital Emergency Room at 300 E. Warwick Drive, in Alma.
If the student is in danger, the AOD should call the Alma Police Department to take the student to the hospital for a mental health assessment. The official term for this procedure, "Order for Examination" is to be used when calling the police.
Upon release from the hospital, the student will be asked to sign a Release of Information Form in order for Community Mental Health to communicate with the Counseling and Wellness Center staff regarding the status of the student.
Services for Support
On-Campus Support Services:
The Counseling and Wellness Center, Wilcox Medical Center North, 463-7225
Wilcox Health Services Center, Wilcox Medical Center South, 463-7181
The Student Life Office, Tyler, 463-7333
Human Resource Office, Centennial House, 463-7314
Chaplain, Kirk Center (Chapel), 463-7231
Off-Campus Support Services:
Police Departments/Emergency call 911
Michigan State Police, 875-4111
Gratiot County Sheriff, 989/875-4128
Alma Police, 463-8317
Hospital Health Care:
Women's Aid Service SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Program 989/772-9168. 24-hour Crisis Line providing sexual assault medical exams with dignity, respect and compassion, at no charge.
Gratiot Community Hospital, Alma, 463-1101
Mid-Michigan District Health Dept., 875-3681
Planned Parenthood, University Ave., Mt. Pleasant, 989/773-5602
AIDS 24-hour Hotline, 800/342-2437
Eating Disorders:
Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders (Referral Agency), 847/831-3438
Behavioral Medicine of Mid-Michigan, PC, 989/773-0102
Community Counseling Associates, 989/773-0222
Eating Disorders Awareness & Prevention, Inc., Information & Referral, 800/931-2237
Legal Help:
American Civil Liberties Union, 463-1543
Lawyer Referral Service, 800/968-0738
GLBT Hotline/Support, 517/332-3200
Legal Aid, 800/322-9142
Citizens Information Center, 800/292-5823
Substance Abuse:
The Counseling and Wellness Center, Alcohol Assessment Screening, 463-7225
Human Aid, 466-5230
Alcohol-Drug Treatment Referral, 800/454-8966
AA Meetings, 12 Noon Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday,
St. Johns Episcopal Church, 550 N. Luce Rd., Alma, MI. Phone: 989/463-1070
Alanon House...AA ALANON, Mt. Pleasant Drop-In Center, 989/772-4955
Suicide Prevention/Mental Health Crisis:
Gratiot County Community Mental Health, 800/622-5583
Listening Ear, 989/772-2918
AIDS 24-hour Hotline, 800/342-2437
