The President's Task Force on
Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures

SMU President R. Gerald Turner created the Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures on September 28, 2012, to examine how the University handles allegations of sexual misconduct among students.

The Task Force will review benchmark practices nationwide and hear perspectives of local and national experts to determine whether any updates or changes are needed at SMU. The examination will take into account adherence to state and federal laws, especially Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which requires colleges and universities to investigate and provide internal grievance procedures for such allegations.

Charge to the Task Force

SMU is committed to providing the best possible learning environment for students to achieve their educational and personal goals. Such an environment must support student safety through University policies, standards of conduct, educational programs, and campus resources.

Toward that end, SMU aspires to develop and maintain model programs that include policies and procedures related to sexual misconduct.

The President’s Task Force is charged with the overarching goal of examining SMU’s procedures and policies related to sexual misconduct in comparison with benchmark practices to determine if any updates or changes are needed, taking into account adherence to state and federal laws, especially Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These policies and procedures aim to ensure that all students are treated with care and fairness.

Specifically, the Task Force is asked to review the following to determine if changes or additions are needed to strengthen SMU’s efforts:

• Sexual assault reporting procedures, including Clery Act compliance and effective coordination among campus offices, the SMU Police Department and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
    
• The student conduct process as it relates to sexual misconduct, including the structure of the grievance procedure required by Title IX and the make-up of conduct review mechanisms.
    
• Programs and responses to ensure a harassment-free environment, particularly for the complainant.
    
• Policies regarding students who are accused of sexual misconduct.
    
• Support services on and off-campus for students who are victims of sexual assault.
    
• Orientation, training and education programs for all faculty, staff and students, especially for those who serve in roles in which a student might report a sexual assault (e.g., resident assistants), and who participate in conduct review activities.
    
• Sexual misconduct policies and procedures that treat all parties involved with care and fairness.

Related documents:

• Creation of the Task Force (09/28/2012)
• Appointment of Task Force Members (10/04/2012)
• Charge to the Task Force (10/11/2012)

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