1. Introduction
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is committed to maintaining an environment in which all students can pursue their academic goals free from harm. The University System, the Governor, and the Wisconsin Legislature recognize that an important component of this commitment is working to provide an atmosphere which prohibits sexual assault.
UW-Platteville, in an ongoing effort to prevent sexual assaults on campus, will continue to provide education and prevention programs, investigate complaints of sexual assault, and dispense disciplinary action when appropriate. The UW-Platteville Dean of Students Office will provide complainants with support and information regarding resources on and off campus, as well as information on pursuing criminal action.
Any alleged violation of UW-Platteville sexual misconduct policy will be investigated and handled under UW-System Code Chapters 17 & 18. To view Chapters 17 and 18, go to the Dean of Students webpage under Conduct.
Where a violation of any University policy is found, appropriate sanctions will be taken by the University to create a safe educational environment.
To view UW-Platteville’s POLICY AND PROCEDURES REGARDING DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
go to: Policy.
2. Scope of the Policy
a. The University's policies on sexual misconduct apply to all students and employees, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The policies also apply to all affiliated third parties.
b. There are designated employees at the university who are considered Responsible Employees for the reporting of sexual assault under Title IX, unless they are specifically designated as Confidential Reporters. If a Responsible Employee becomes aware of an act of
sexual violence involving a student or employee, they are required to report it to the university
which will prompt an investigation. If the name of an alleged perpetrator is disclosed to a UW- Platteville Responsible Employee, victims should be advised that this will initiate contact with the alleged perpetrator by an official of the University.
c. The following are Responsible Employees and have reporting obligations at UW-Platteville:
o Dean of Students and Assistant Dean of Students
o University Police (including student employees)
o Department of Residence Life (including Resident Assistants and Senior Assistants)
o Department of Human Resources (Director and Assistant Director)
o The Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Assistant Chancellors, Assistant Vice Chancellors
o College Deans, Associate Deans, and Assistant Deans
d. Whenever possible, a Responsible Employee should inform a student or colleague who wishes to disclose an assault of this obligation prior to any details being given. Victims who are unsure about whether they wish to pursue an investigation should be immediately directed to one of these resources to receive confidential assistance:
Confidential Campus Resources
o University Counseling Services, 2nd floor Royce Hall, 608.342.1865
o Student Health Services, 2nd floor Royce Hall, 608.342.1891
Confidential Community Resources
o Family Advocates, Platteville, WI, 800.924.2624
o Riverview Center, Dubuque, IA 888.557.0310
3. Options for Assistance Following an Incident of Sexual Misconduct
a. Is there continued threat of harm? If so police should be contacted: 911
b. If no threat of immediate harm, do they want to report to police? If so call: o If assault happened on campus call University Police: 608.342.1584 o If assault happened off campus call Platteville Police: 608.348.2313
o In non-emergency situations, it is strongly suggested that an individual who is
considering reporting an assault consult first with a Victim Advocate in order to receive information about the full range of available reporting options. Reports made to a Victim Advocate are confidential.
Family Advocates, Platteville, Wisconsin 800.924.2624.
Riverview Center, Dubuque, Iowa 888.557.0310
c. Victims who are unsure about whether they wish to pursue an investigation should be immediately directed to one of these resources to receive confidential assistance:
Confidential Campus Resources
o University Counseling Services, 2nd floor Royce Hall, 608.342.1865
o Student Health Services, 2nd floor Royce Hall, 608.342.1891
Confidential Community Resources
o Family Advocates, Platteville, WI, 800.924.2624
o Riverview Center, Dubuque, IA 888.557.0310
d. Encourage a health assessment & a sexual assault (SANE) exam. Sane exams must be done within 120 hours of an assault, and can be done at Southwest Health Center (not the Student Health Services). To talk with a SANE nurse call 608.342.4730
e. The Dean of Students Office will provide complainants with support and information regarding resources on and off campus, as well as information on pursuing criminal action.
4. Title IX Coordinator
All individuals who believe they have been harassed, assaulted or discriminated against should file a complaint with the appropriate individuals or offices. Verbal complaints should be put in writing by either the complainant or the individual who receives the complaint in order to preserve an accurate record. The written complaint should identify the parties involved; describe the harassing behavior; when and where it occurred; and identify by name or description of any witnesses.
a. Inquiries or complaints about employees or third parties may be addressed to Janelle Crowley, Title IX Coordinator, Director of Human Resources, 2300 Ullsvik Hall, Phone: 608-342-1179, and
b. Inquiries or complaints about students may be addressed to Sherry Nevins, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Dean of Students, 2300 Markee Pioneer Student Center, Phone: 608-342-1854 .
c. You may also contact Jason Williams, Interim Chief of University Police, University of Wisconsin-
Platteville, Phone 608-342-1584, .
Complaints should be promptly reported so that appropriate action may be taken in a timely manner. However, the late reporting of complaints may not prevent appropriate remedial action.
It is not always easy to interpret words or actions that may be ambiguous and one may think are inappropriate. Therefore, the offices noted above are available to discuss the circumstances and address matters before they become severe or pervasive.
Any conduct that may be in violation of this policy may be investigated, regardless of whether a complaint is filed and appropriate remedial action may be initiated.
5. Definitions
Sex without consent is sexual assault. The term 'consent' means permission. Regarding sexual assault, it is important to remember that consent should be thought of as active, not passive. This means you should actually have a conversation with someone if you wish to engage in a sexual act with them. The absence of a 'no' is not the same as a 'yes'!
Someone who is incapacitated by drugs, alcohol, or for any other reason is incapable of giving consent for sex.
Conduct prohibited by the university includes sexual harassment (including hostile environment caused by sexual harassment), sexual assault (includes non-consensual sexual contact and non-consensual
sexual intercourse), domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, stalking, retaliation, and intimidation, as defined by state statutes: Wisconsin Statutes
6. Reporting Policies and Protocols
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you are urged to speak with someone about it immediately. If someone discloses a sexual assault to a UW-Platteville Faculty or Staff member, the following steps should be taken:
a. Assess immediate safety:
Is there continued threat of harm? If so police should be contacted: 911
If no threat of immediate harm, do they want to report to police? If so call: o If assault happened on campus call University Police: 608.342.1584 o If assault happened off campus call Platteville Police: 608.348.2313
o In non-emergency situations, it is strongly suggested that an individual who is
considering reporting an assault consult first with a Victim Advocate in order to receive information about the full range of available reporting options. Reports made to the Victim Advocate are confidential.
Family Advocates, Platteville, Wisconsin 800.924.2624.
Riverview Center, Dubuque, Iowa 888.557.0310
o Reporting an assault to law enforcement does not commit an individual to moving forward with prosecution.
b. Responsible Employees:
There are designated employees at the university who are considered Responsible Employees for the reporting of sexual assault under Title IX, unless they are specifically
designated as Confidential Reporters. . If a Responsible Employee becomes aware of an act of
sexual violence involving a student or employee, they are required to report it to the university which will prompt an investigation. If the name of an alleged perpetrator is disclosed to a UW- Platteville Responsible Employee, victims should be advised that this will initiate contact with the alleged perpetrator by an official of the University.
c. The following are Responsible Employees and have reporting obligations at UW-Platteville:
o Dean of Students and Assistant Dean of Students
o University Police (including student employees)
o Department of Residence Life (including Resident Assistants and Senior Assistants)
o Department of Human Resources (Director and Assistant Director)
o The Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Assistant Chancellors, Assistant Vice Chancellors
o College Deans, Associate Deans, and Assistant Deans
d. Whenever possible, a Responsible Employee should inform a student or colleague who wishes to disclose an assault of this obligation prior to any details being given. Victims who are unsure
about whether they wish to pursue an investigation should be immediately directed to one of these resources to receive confidential assistance:
Confidential Campus Resources
o University Counseling Services, 2nd floor Royce Hall, 608.342.1865
o Student Health Services, 2nd floor Royce Hall, 608.342.1891
Confidential Community Resources
o Family Advocates, Platteville, WI, 800.924.2624
o Riverview Center, Dubuque, IA 888.557.0310
e. Encourage a health assessment & a sexual assault (SANE) exam. Sane exams must be done within 120 hours of an assault, and can be done at Southwest Health Center (not the Student Health Services). To talk with a SANE nurse call 608.342.4730
f. Give the student a Victims Rights & Resources Brochure: Brochure
7. Investigation Procedures and Protocols:
Information about investigation procedures and protocols for students is available on the Dean of Students webpage under Conduct.
Information about investigation procedures and protocols for employees is available in the Employee Handbook under UW-Platteville Policy and Procedures regarding Discrimination and Harassment.
8. Grievance/Adjudication Procedures:
Information about grievance and adjudication procedures for students is available on the Dean of Students webpage under Conduct.
Information about grievance and adjudication procedures for employees is available in the Employee Handbook under UW-Platteville Policy and Procedures regarding Discrimination and Harassment.
9. Prevention and Education
Prevention Education begins at UW-Platteville when students arrive on campus for New Student Registration in June and July, with a brief introduction by the Dean of Students Office Prevention & Education Coordinator. All incoming students will then be expected to complete Campus Answers' online training program "Student Empower" during their first semester on campus. "Student Empower" is a comprehensive program that addresses sexual assault and harassment, dating violence, alcohol and drug use, and bystander intervention. All new students are given the link to the University's online Sexual Misconduct Guidelines. Throughout the year, the Prevention & Education Coordinator provides numerous programming and classroom presentations on sexual violence prevention.
Approved: December 17, 2015