Title IX Compliance & Sexual Violence Prevention
SUNY Fredonia's Title IX policy governs the procedures for responding to and investigating cases of sexual harassment and sexual violence that meet Title IX guidelines. The complete policy can be found here. (At the request of the survivor, instances of sexual violence that do not fall under the Title IX guidelines will still be investigated by the University under the University's Code of Conduct.)
As a faculty or staff member, your relationships with students put you in a unique position to offer guidance and help. Often you may be the first person to whom victims disclose their experiences. By educating yourself and following some simple guidelines, you can confidently respond to students who are experiencing relationship violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or stalking. The University has a duty to promptly address complaints of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, to limit the effects of the discrimination, and to prevent its recurrence.
If a student discloses to you:
Listen with empathy. Listening is the single most important thing that you can do. No one deserves to be the victim of violence, regardless of the circumstances. Let the victim know they are not to blame for the assault. Avoid asking questions that imply fault, such as “How much were you drinking?” or “Why didn’t you call the police?” Instead, say something simple and kind, like: “I’m sorry that this happened to you.” or “Thank you for telling me.”
Support and respect their decisions. Victims are often met with disbelief when they tell someone. They may be hesitant to trust others with their story. Many victims do not immediately file a report with law enforcement. This is okay. Remember, you are not an investigator; you are someone the victim trusts. Avoid telling the victim what they “should” or “must” do. One of the most important things you can do is help the victim take back the power they have lost. Try phrases like: “What kind of help do you need?” or “When you are ready, there is help available.”
Know where to refer the victim for further help. There are many offices on the campus and in the community that specialize in these issues. You are not expected to be an expert on sexual assault, dating violence or stalking; however, you can direct the victim to people who are experts and can provide advocacy and support. You can refer students to the CEASE program of Counseling Services, which provides advocacy and support for survivors. Ask questions, like: “Are you interested in talking to an advocate or counselor?” or “Would you like to see a nurse or doctor?”
- Contact Information:
Coordinator of Prevention, Advocacy, and Wellness Services (PAWS), Counseling Center, LoGrasso Hall, 716-673-3424, care@fredonia.edu
Reporting Obligation: All Fredonia employees* are required by federal guidance to report any disclosures of sexual violence to the Title IX Coordinator. This includes names of the student(s) involved (if known), relevant facts, date, time and location. Disclosures to the Title IX coordinator will be kept as private as possible. The Title IX Coordinator will contact the victim to ensure that information regarding resources, reporting options, and student and employee rights are provided.
*Exempt Fredonia employees include: licensed physician and clinical staff in the Student Health Center, licensed therapists/counselors/advocates in Student Counseling Services, and any clergy.
- Contact Information:
Follow up with the student. Let the student know that you take any disclosure seriously and that you care about their well-being. Retaliation against any participants in the process – accused, victim, witness, and reporting individuals - is prohibited. You could begin the conversation with: “I was thinking about the conversation we had the other day. How are you doing?”
Sexual Assault, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Resources:
CEASE Program – Counseling Center: Provides advocacy and support for Fredonia students who are survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. The CEASE program can answer questions, provide students with available options, offer emotional support, and make referrals to appropriate resources. The CEASE office is located in LoGrasso Hall; appointments can be made in person, by calling the office at 716-673-3424, or emailing the CEASE coordinator at care@fredonia.edu. The CEASE office is open M-F, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
The Anew Center: Provides a 24/7 helpline for survivors of sexual assault and relationship violence (1-800-252-8748). The helpline can answer questions, provide referrals or send a victim advocate to meet with a survivor. Services are free and confidential.
Health Center: Can provide treatment for injuries, sexual health services such as pap smears, pregnancy tests, testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, emergency contraception, hormonal contraception and referrals to outside providers for additional services. The Health Center does not provide evidence collection services (also known as 'rape kits'), but they can provide students with transportation to Brooks Hospital to have evidence collected. Contact Information: LoGrasso Hall, Health Center, 716-673-3131.
Brooks Memorial Hospital: The hospital can provide medical treatment to survivors of sexual assault including treatment of injuries, STD testing and treatment, the morning after pill, and basic evidence collection (also known as 'rape kits'). Advocates from The Anew Center can be contacted to provide advocacy services. Contact Information: 529 Central Avenue – Dunkirk, 716-366-1111.
Emergency contraception (EC) is available at the Health Center for $10.00. In addition, area pharmacies carry EC, available without a prescription for about $40-$50.
University Police are specially trained to identify and respond to the special needs of students who have experienced sexual violence. Victims who want to file a police report can contact the University Police (assaults that occurred on-campus). Contact Information: Gregory Hall, 716-673-3333
Title IX Coordinator (Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is specifically trained to offer support for anyone regarding an incident of sexual violence. The coordinator can assist in decision making related to filing criminal or on campus judicial charges, and would serve in the capacity of an investigator related to an on campus hearing process. The coordinator can assist in obtaining interim measures and helps to manage the campus response for intervention and training. The coordinator is a neutral role who also maintains statistical information related to reported sexual violence to understand the campus climate. Contact Information: Fenton Hall Room 143, 716-673-3358
Office of Student Conduct adjudicates cases for students who are charged with violations of the Students Rights and Responsibilities (Code of Conduct). Students may discuss issues of sexual assault, partner violence, stalking or other acts of misconduct by scheduling a meeting with the Director of Student Conduct. Contact Information: Lisa Newell, Director of Student Conduct, S212 Williams Center, 716-673-4726.
Fredonia Village Police can assist students who have experienced sexual assault, partner violence, and/or stalking off campus. Contact Information: Temple Street, Fredonia, NY, 716-679-1531.
The University is committed to fostering a safe campus environment in which sexual misconduct and violence are unacceptable. Survivors, or those who believe they were harmed by another in violation of this policy, are provided support and avenues of redress as appropriate. Fredonia students and employees have the right to make a report to University Police, local law enforcement, and/or the State Police or choose not to report, to report the incident to university officials, to be protected by the university from retaliation for reporting an incident, and to receive assistance and resources from the university. This document identifies all Fredonia resources related to sexual violence prevention and response.
Safety and Support Options
You may go to the Counseling Center’s – Prevention, Advocacy, and Wellness Services (PAWS) for free and confidential support. PAWS can provide sexual assault survivors with advocacy, emotional support, available options, and referrals to appropriate resources. The PAWS office is located in LoGrasso Hall; appointments can be made in person, by calling the office at 716-673-3424, or emailing the PAWS coordinator at care@fredonia.edu The PAWS office is open M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm.
If the assault occurred in the last 72 hours you can go to Brooks Memorial Hospital to have evidence collected and receive medical services such as treatment for injuries, STD/HIV testing, and the morning after pill. If it has been more than 72 hours or you do not wish to have evidence collected, the Health Center (LoGrasso Hall) can assist with medical needs such as the morning after pill and STD/HIV testing.
If you would like to report the incident to the police for possible criminal action, contact the University Police (assaults that took place on campus), Fredonia Village Police (assaults that took place off-campus), or the police jurisdiction where the assault took place. Filing a police report does not necessarily mean that you have to press criminal charges. You may choose other options including university judicial action.
If you would like to report the incident to pursue action through the student conduct process at the university, report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator: Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 143 Fenton Hall, 716-673- 3358. The Title IX coordinator can discuss the investigation process, receive the complaint officially, and outline options for interim measures such as changing academic and living situations.
If you have additional needs such as on-campus housing accommodations, academic concerns, or need a ‘No Contact Order’, you can contact the Title IX Coordinator, 716-673-3358 for further information on available options. In addition the Office of Residence Life, Gregory Hall, 716-673-3341 and the Office of Student Affairs, Fenton Hall 2121, 716-673-3271 can assist you with accommodations.
Crisis Intervention/Counseling/Advocacy/Medical
Prevention, Advocacy, and Wellness Services (PAWS) – Counseling Center: The Counseling Center’s PAWS program provides advocacy and referrals for Fredonia students who are survivors of sexual assault. PAWS can answer questions, provide students with available options, offer emotional support, and make referrals to appropriate resources. Services are free and confidential. The PAWS office is located in LoGrasso Hall. Appointments can be made in person, by calling the office at 716-673-3424, or emailing the PAWS coordinator at care@fredonia.edu. The PAWS office is open M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm.
The Anew Center: For 24-hour assistance, The Anew Center of Jamestown (The Salvation Army) provides a 24/7 helpline for survivors of sexual assault and relationship violence (1-800-252-8748). The helpline can answer questions, provide referrals or send a victim advocate to meet with a survivor. Services are free and confidential.
Health Center: The Health Center can provide treatment for injuries, emergency contraception, testing for sexual transmitted infections, and referrals to outside providers for additional services. Contact Information: LoGrasso Hall, www.fredonia.edu/student-health-center, 716-673-3131
Brooks Memorial Hospital: The hospital can provide medical treatment to survivors of sexual assault including treatment of injuries, STD testing and treatment, the morning after pill, and basic evidence collection (also known as 'rape kits'). Advocates from The Anew Center can be contacted to provide advocacy services. Survivors who have a sexual assault kit completed do not have to file a police report or press criminal charges. Contact Information: 529 Central Avenue – Dunkirk, 716-366-1111, www.brookshospital.org
Emergency contraception (EC) is available at the Health Center for $10.00. In addition area pharmacies carry EC, available without a prescription for about $40.00.
SUNY Sexual Assault & Violence Response Resources are available at www.suny.edu/violence-response and provide resources across the state of New York related to sexual violence prevention and response.
Law Enforcement, Title IX, and Student Conduct
University Police
Gregory Hall, 716-673-3333 – www.fredonia.edu/about/offices/university-police. University Police are specially trained to identify and respond to the special needs of students who have experienced sexual violence. Victims who want to file a police report can contact the University Police (assaults that occurred on campus).
Title IX Coordinator - Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
143 Fenton Hall, 716-673-3358 - www.fredonia.edu/about/offices/diversity-equity-inclusion. The Title IX Coordinator is specifically trained to offer support for anyone regarding an incident of sexual violence. The coordinator can assist in decision making related to filing criminal or on-campus judicial charges, and would serve in the capacity of an investigator related to an on-campus hearing process. The coordinator is a neutral role who also maintains statistical information related to reported sexual violence.
Office of Student Conduct
S212 Williams Center, 716-673-4726 – www.fredonia.edu/student-life/student-conduct. The interest of the Office of Student Conduct is to ensure mutual respect among the student population and to adjudicate cases and educate students who are charged with violations of the Students Rights and Responsibilities (Code of Conduct). Students may discuss issues of sexual assault, partner violence, stalking or other acts of misconduct by scheduling a meeting with the Director of Student Conduct by emailing lisa.newell@fredonia.edu.
Fredonia Village Police
Temple Street, Fredonia, NY, 716-679-1531 - www.fredoniapolice.org. The Fredonia Police Department can assist students who have experienced sexual assault, partner violence, and/or stalking off campus.
Consent, for the purposes of SUNY Fredonia's Title IX Grievance Policy, means a knowing, voluntary, and mutural decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity. For more on SUNY Fredonia's definition of consent, see here.
Sexual harassment includes any conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
- An employee conditioning educational benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo);
- Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the educational institution's education program or activity;
- Sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), which includes any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent;
- Dating violence (as defined in the Violence Against Women Act [VAWA] amendments to the Clery Act), which includes any violence committed by a person: (A) who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and (B) where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: (i) The length of the relationship; (ii) The type of a relationship; (iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.;
- Domestic violence (as defined in the VAWA amendments to the Clery Act), which includes any felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similary situated to a spouse of the victim under New York State's domestic or family violence laws or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of New York State.;
- Stalking (as defined in the VAWA amendments to the Clery Act), meaning engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to (A) fear for their safety or the safety of others; or (B) suffer substantial emotional distress.
Consistent with New York State Education Law 129-B and policies of The State University of New York, the State University of New York at Fredonia participated in the 2019 University-wide Biennial SUNY Uniform Campus Climate Survey. The Survey gathered information about student and employee experience with sexual and interpersonal violence and knowledge of policies and resources.
947 students completed the survey, for a response rate of 22.4%. In the survey, 83% of students indicated their awareness of campus policies and procedures specifically addressing sexual assault. 43% indicated that they knew where to report an incident of sexual harassment or violence and 29% could identify the Title IX Coordinator.
The State University of New York at Fredonia, working with the campus' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, will use these data to improve the campus community's awareness of on-campus and community resources regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence. The next Climate Survey will be administered in the Spring Semester of 2021. More information about the Survey is available at https://www.suny.edu/climatesurvey/.
Spring 2017 Title IX and Sexual Violence Campus Climate Report