SMU Health & Safety Information - Sexual Assault - Know your options under state law and federal mandates

Know your options under state law
and federal mandates

Students who report being sexually assaulted have the right to decide to pursue a criminal or civil process, an SMU conduct review process or all processes at the same time. The conduct review process does not delay the criminal or civil process; the processes proceed independently of each other.

The federal government requires universities and colleges to provide administrative investigations and internal grievance procedures under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. SMU's Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators promote University policies, procedures and programs that foster inclusion based on sex and that prohibit discrimination, harassment and assault based on sex; contact Beth Wilson in the Office of Institutional Access and Equity at 214-768-3601 or accessequity@smu.edu .

The criminal process: SMU Police notify the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office when a sexual assault is reported. SMU Police also present the findings of their investigation to the District Attorney's Office. If a student who has reported a sexual assault decides to pursue criminal charges, the District Attorney’s Office determines whether to present the case to a grand jury to obtain an indictment and proceed with a trial. SMU Police are available to counsel and accompany students through this process; call 214-768-3333.

The conduct review process: A student who reports sexual assault by another student may file a complaint through SMU’s conduct review process in the Office of the Dean of Student Life. The process allows the University to determine Code of Conduct violations and to impose sanctions within the SMU community.

The University regularly examines its conduct review process in comparison with benchmark practices, taking into account adherence to state and federal laws, especially Title IX. SMU is in the process of implementing changes in its conduct review process in response to a Title IX guidance document issued by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to universities and colleges nationwide. In addition, SMU's Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures has recommended further changes; read the Task Force report.

The internal grievance procedures required by Title IX offer students reporting sexual assaults an avenue for holding violators accountable for their actions, in addition to criminal and civil processes. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Student Life, 214-768-4564, or Title IX Coordinator, 214-768-3601.

# # #



Live Responsibly Home Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures Getting help after a sexual assault Reporting a sexual assault Criminal and disciplinary options Sexual assault resources What is Title IX How You Can Help Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention Prescription Drug Abuse Substance Abuse Resources Counseling & Psychiatric Services Ask the Experts For Students For Parents Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention Safety Tips Recognizing Students In Distress Releasing Your Records Student Code of Conduct Contact Us	Know your options under state law and federal mandates Students who report being sexually assaulted have the right to decide to pursue a criminal or civil process, an SMU conduct review process or all processes at the same time. The conduct review process does not delay the criminal or civil process; the processes proceed independently of each other. The federal government requires universities and colleges to provide administrative investigations and internal grievance procedures under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. SMU's Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators promote University policies, procedures and programs that foster inclusion based on sex and that prohibit discrimination, harassment and assault based on sex; contact Beth Wilson in the Office of Institutional Access and Equity at 214-768-3601 or accessequity@smu.edu . The criminal process: SMU Police notify the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office when a sexual assault is reported. SMU Police also present the findings of their investigation to the District Attorney's Office. If a student who has reported a sexual assault decides to pursue criminal charges, the District Attorney’s Office determines whether to present the case to a grand jury to obtain an indictment and proceed with a trial. SMU Police are available to counsel and accompany students through this process; call 214-768-3333. The conduct review process: A student who reports sexual assault by another student may file a complaint through SMU’s conduct review process in the Office of the Dean of Student Life. The process allows the University to determine Code of Conduct violations and to impose sanctions within the SMU community. The University regularly examines its conduct review process in comparison with benchmark practices, taking into account adherence to state and federal laws, especially Title IX. SMU is in the process of implementing changes in its conduct review process in response to a Title IX guidance document issued by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to universities and colleges nationwide. In addition, SMU's Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures has recommended further changes; read the Task Force report. The University regularly examines its conduct review process in comparison with benchmark practices, taking into account adherence to state and federal laws, especially Title IX. SMU is in the process of implementing changes in its conduct review process in response to a Title IX guidance document issued by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to universities and colleges nationwide. In addition, SMU's Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures is reviewing the need for further changes. The internal grievance procedures required by Title IX offer students reporting sexual assaults an avenue for holding violators accountable for their actions, in addition to criminal and civil processes. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Student Life, 214-768-4564, or Title IX Coordinator, 214-768-3601. What constitutes sexual assault Department of Education "Dear Colleague" letter on Title IX (pdf) Getting help after a sexual assault Reporting a sexual assault Campus and community support and resources SMU Policy on Sexual Assault SMU Policy on Sexual Harassment # # #