Henderson State University is committed to providing an educational and work environment for its students, faculty, and staff that is free from sexual discrimination including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. No form of sexual discrimination will be tolerated.
AVOIDING SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION
All members of the campus community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. Supervisors and staff members must recognize that their positions necessarily embody unequal power relationships with their subordinates and students. Because of the inherent power differences in these relationships, the potential exists for the less powerful to perceive a coercive element in suggestions relative to activities outside those appropriate to the professional relationship. It is the responsibility of supervisors and staff members to behave in such a manner that their words or actions cannot reasonably be perceived as coercive.
REPORTING SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION
You are encouraged to speak with the Office of Title IX and Institutional Equity or to supervisory personnel (Deans, the Chancellor, vice chancellors, department chairs, all faculty members, any employee at the university police department, and any employee in athletics, student conduct, Greek life, student activities, or human resources, etc…) of the institution to make formal reports of incidents. The university considers these people to be "responsible employees." These persons must report incidents of sexual discrimination either observed by them or reported to them to the Title IX Coordinator who will conduct an immediate, thorough, and objective review of all formal complaints. If a violation has occurred, appropriate corrective measures commensurate with the severity of the offense will be taken in an effort to reasonably ensure that such actions are not repeated. All reports, complaints, and investigations are treated with discretion and confidentiality is maintained to the extent allowed by law. The following guidelines and procedures have been developed to reaffirm these principles and to provide recourse for those individuals whose rights have been violated. This procedure is intended to define community expectations and to establish a mechanism for determining when those expectations have been violated.
RESPONDING TO SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION
The university reserves the right to take whatever measures it deems necessary in response to an allegation of sexual discrimination in order to protect individuals' rights and personal safety. An individualized assessment will be conducted based on the facts available to the Title IX Coordinator at the time a formal complaint is submitted. Such measures include, but are not limited to, modification of campus living arrangements/working space, modification of class schedules, work shifts, interim suspension from campus pending a hearing, and reporting the matter to law enforcement. Not all forms of sexual discrimination will be deemed to be equally serious offenses, and the university reserves the right to impose different sanctions, ranging from verbal warning to expulsion, depending on the severity of the offense. The university will consider the concerns and rights of both the Complainant and the Respondent.
The university reserves the right at any time to change, delete, or add provisions to this procedure. The procedure posted on the webpage of the Office of Title IX and Institutional Equity supersedes all previous versions - electronic or in print.
Contact
Bobbie Lee
Title IX Coordinator
Henderson State University
1100 Henderson Street
HSU Box 7532
Arkadelphia, AR 71999-0001
870-210-9651