Siena College is committed to maintaining a community environment that fosters respect for the dignity and worth of each individual. The dignity of the individual should never be violated in any way, and the College community views with seriousness offenses against any person. Siena College is committed to providing options, support, and assistance to victims/survivors of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking so that they can continue to participate in college-wide and campus programs, activities, and employment. Siena College is committed to addressing reports of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking in a prompt, fair, equitable, and impartial manner. All victims/survivors of these crimes and violations have the following rights regardless of whether the crime or violation occurs on campus, off-campus, or while studying abroad.
The rights listed below are afforded to all students reporting sexual violence, as well as all students accused of sexual misconduct, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, status as a domestic violence victim, or criminal conviction.
Students have the right to:
- Make a report to the Campus Title IX Coordinator/EOS or designee and/or Campus Public Safety and/or local law enforcement and/or state police.
- Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual violence treated seriously;
- Make decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the conduct process and/or criminal justice process free from pressure by the institution;
- Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard; Respondents are presumed not responsible until the grievance process has concluded;
- Be treated with dignity and to receive from the institution courteous, fair, and respectful health care and counseling services, where available;
- Be free from any suggestion that the reporting individual is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed, or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations;
- Describe the incident to as few institution representatives as practicable and not be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident;
- Be protected from retaliation by the institution, any student, the accused and/or the Respondent, and/or their friends, family and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the institution;
- Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination;
- Be accompanied by an advisor of choice who may assist and advise a reporting individual, accused or Respondent throughout the conduct process including during all meetings and hearings related to such process;
- Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or conduct process of the institution.
- Be provided with a written copy of the College’s policy and procedures regarding sexual misconduct.
Victims/Survivors/Complainants have many options that can be pursued simultaneously, including the following:
- Receive resources, such as counseling and medical attention on or off-campus.
- Confidentially disclose a crime or violation to a Counselor in the Counseling Center, Health Services, or the College Chaplain. Confidential resources can share options and advice without any obligation to tell anyone, and will not share information without the consent of the victim/survivor.
- Anonymously disclose a crime or violation to the Public Safety anonymous tip line. The College does have a duty to investigate anonymous disclosures to the extent possible, based on the information disclosed.
- Make a report with privacy (Victims/Survivors/Complainants have the right of privacy when reporting to College officials, to the extent possible under the circumstances. However, information must be shared with other members of the community if there is a need to know.) to:
- Any employee with the authority to address complaints, all Faculty, Staff, and Administrators, including the Title IX Coordinator/EOS or designee, Dean of Students Office, Community Living Staff, or a Human Resources employee;
- Public Safety