Confidential vs. Private Reporting
Certain resources are confidential while others are obligated to report incidents
Siena University is committed to promoting a learning and working environment where discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct are not tolerated. Acts of discrimination and harassment, which are offenses directed against persons because of their identification with one or more protected categories, are prohibited under the Discrimination and Harassment Policy. Prohibited conduct of Title IX Sexual Harassment and other forms of Sexual Misconduct can be found under the Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Violence Policy.
Individuals, third parties, or witnesses are encouraged to report concerns of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct via the following reporting form:
Or by contacting the Title IX Office at:
Dr. Bill Boerner, Title IX/VI Coordinator
Siena University
515 Loudon Road Loudonville, NY 12211-1462
518-782-5514
Titleix@siena.edu
Samantha Faiella
Senior Deputy Title IX/VI Coordinator Associate Dean of Students Student Specialist for Compliance/Education and Investigations
Sarazen Student Union Room 302
518-783-2328
sfaiella@siena.edu
While Complainants are welcome to file a report or complaint at any time, Complainants are encouraged to come forward as soon as possible because a delay in reporting or making a complaint may impact the effectiveness of the investigation. Delays in reporting may impair the university’s ability to investigate due to, but not limited to, fading memories and the availability of witnesses and evidence.
Why is Reporting Important?
Get connected to support services
If you are a survivor of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or involved in a concern of discrimination, reporting the incident can help you access many services to support you through the healing process, including medical and counseling services, academic and housing accommodations, and assistance in pursuing a complaint on or off-campus, should you wish to do so.
Regain a sense of personal power, control and safety
Reporting a concern can help you regain a sense of personal power and control and can also help to ensure the safety of others.
Protect the campus from repeat offenders
Reporting is critical to ensuring the safety and the welfare of the Siena community. Reporting helps to protect individuals and communities against repeat offenders.
Reporting without pursuing a complaint
Reporting an incident does not commit the complainant to pursuing a formal complaint, either on campus or through the criminal justice system.
What happens after a report?
Upon receiving information of a report, a confirmation will be sent to the reporting party and the Title IX Coordinator or Senior Deputy Coordinator will do an outreach to the impacted party.
If the impacted party chooses to meet with a representative of the Title IX Office, they will discuss the opportunity to pursue action under the Policy and how to file a written formal complaint.
Complainants and Respondents may use an advisor of their choice (including legal counsel) at each point in the sexual misconduct procedure. The advisor may serve only in an advisory role and may not directly represent either party.
A reporting witness or Complainant may choose to withdraw a complaint and/or involvement from the university process at any time. Please be advised that choosing to do so may not alleviate Siena from its obligation to (1) conduct an investigation, and (2) to stop, prevent, and remedy the effects of the sexual misconduct.
Reporting to Law Enforcement
We encourage you to report incidents of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking to the local and/or state police, as well as to University personnel.
If you wish, a Siena University staff person will accompany you and assist you in filing a report with the police. You may choose to pursue disciplinary action through the University while criminal action is pending.
Anonymous Reporting
You may anonymously disclose a sexual misconduct incident to Public Safety.
The University may have a duty to investigate anonymous disclosures to the extent possible, based on the information provided.
Reporting Retaliation
Individuals may file a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator if they have been retaliated against for reporting sexual misconduct, assisting someone in making such a report, or participating in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a sexual misconduct complaint.
All retaliation complaints will be investigated in accordance with the investigation procedures set forth in this policy and individuals who have been found to have engaged in retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action through the student code of conduct or employee disciplinary procedures.