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Questions, Comments

Registrar's Web Team
11 September 1997

It is the policy of the University of Texas at Austin to strive to maintain an environment that is free from intimidation and one in which students may be educated to their fullest potential. The University should foster an understanding of difference and cultivate the ethical and moral issues that are the basis of a humane social order. Therefore, the University will not tolerate physical abuse, threats of violence, physical assault, or all forms of sexual assault, including but not limited to acquaintance or date rape.

A student who individually, or in concert with others, participates or attempts to participate in a sexual offense, including but not limited to sexual assault or abuse of, threats against, or the unwanted touching of an intimate area of any other student, is subject to disciplinary action by the University, notwithstanding any action that may or may not be taken by the civil authorities. In addition to incidents that occur on the University campus, the University may take disciplinary action in response to incidents that take place during official functions of the University, or those sponsored by registered student organizations, or incidents that have a substantial connection to the interests of the University of Texas at Austin regardless of the location in which they occur.

Anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual assault should immediately call the police (911). Reporting an assault does not mean that the victim must press charges or take the case to criminal trial or a University disciplinary hearing. The police will provide transportation to the closest emergency room for medical treatment and evidence collection. Even if a victim has not decided whether to press charges, calling the police and going to the hospital will allow for his or her emotional and medical needs to be cared for and will preserve the option of the victim to press charges.

A student may file a complaint against another student by directly contacting the Student Judicial Services area of the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-1201. Students may choose to file a complaint with the Student Judicial Services staff whether or not they choose to press criminal charges. Students who wish to file a complaint against a faculty or staff member may contact the associate dean of students at the same number; however, this policy does not apply to cases involving an assault by faculty or staff. See Appendix D of General Information, "Prohibition of Sexual Harassment of Students."

The University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center (471-3515) and the Austin Rape Crisis Center (440-7273) are available to provide support services for anyone affected by any form of sexual assault. Students who may have been assaulted by someone who is not affiliated with the University may contact any of the available University support services listed under "Programs and Support Services."

When a student reports that the campus regulations prohibiting sexual assault have been violated, informal procedures that provide for the protection of the emotional health and physical safety of the complainant may be invoked. For example, a student who lives on campus may be moved to another campus living environment if he or she chooses or may be allowed to drop a class. Such arrangements will be facilitated through the Office of the Dean of Students. If the complainant provides credible evidence that the accused student presents a continuing danger to person or property or poses an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process, the Office of the Dean of Students may take interim disciplinary action against the accused student as appropriate.

Students who wish to file a complaint that will be addressed by the University disciplinary system will work with the Student Judicial Services area of the Office of the Dean of Students. The details of the University conduct rules as well as possible sanctions that may be imposed against a student found guilty of a violation of University rules and regulations, may be found in chapter 11 of Appendix C of the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities.

Notwithstanding the rights of the accused student, a complainant under this policy is entitled to the following rights:

• The right to be present during the entire hearing, notwithstanding the fact that the complainant is to be called as a witness. (The accused student has the same right.)
• The right to have a support person present during the hearing. This person is not entitled to represent the complainant nor to assist him or her with his or her testimony. If the support person is to act as a witness, the hearing officer may require him or her to testify prior to the complainant.
• The right not to have evidence of his or her past sexual history with third parties admitted as evidence.
• The right to have the hearing closed to spectators unless both the accused and the complainant consent in writing to have the hearing open to the public.
• The right to know the outcome of the hearing as defined by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Programs and Support Services

Below is a list of educational and preventive programs and support services on campus that address the issue of sexual assault. Brochures and other printed materials are available from each office. Additional information may be obtained by calling the numbers listed.

Counseling and Mental Health Center 471-3515

developmental workshops

twenty-four-hour telephone counseling and referral services, 471-CALL (471-2255)

TexTalk telephone tapes, 475-9950

outreach programming

Fraternal Education--Office of the Dean of Students 471-9700

educational sessions at New Member and Greek Leadership Conferences

University Health Services, Health Promotion Services 471-6252

educational and prevention information

staff development programs

testing for sexually transmitted diseases after an assault

presentations upon request

Students United for Rape Elimination (SURE)

programs that address peer-to-peer assault issues through advocacy and education

safe walk home program, Sunday through Thursday, 471-7778

Summer Orientation Programs--Office of the Dean of Students

University of Texas Police Department

escort van, evening hours

crime statistics information

University Residence Halls

discussion of issues related to sexual assault in floor meetings

educational programs in the residence halls

safety handbook

individual and group support and follow-up

Appendix A  |  Appendix B  |  Appendix C  |  Appendix D
Appendix E  |  Appendix F  |  Appendix G

General Information

Contents  |  Chapter 1  |  Chapter 2  |  Chapter 3  |  Chapter 4  |  Chapter 5
Chapter 6  |  Chapter 7  |  Appendixes  |  Statistical Summaries

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