- be_ixf; php_sdk; php_sdk_1.4.18
- 74 ms
- iy_2024; im_04; id_27; ih_21; imh_59; i_epoch:1.71428035541E+12
- ixf-compiler; ixf-compiler_1.0.0.0
- py_2024; pm_04; pd_21; ph_12; pmh_16; p_epoch:1.71372699543E+12
- link-block; link-block_link-block; bodystr
- pn_tstr:Sun Apr 21 12:16:35 PST 2024; pn_epoch:1.71372699543E+12
- 0 ms
- be_ixf; php_sdk; php_sdk_1.4.18
- https://sou.edu/equity-grievance/reporting/campus-choice/
- https://sou.edu/equity-grievance/reporting/campus-choice/
SOU’s Campus Choice System
Campus Choice is Southern Oregon University’s system of addressing sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual exploitation. Campus Choice serves students, staff, and faculty.
Through Campus Choice, you may receive care coordination and help determining options, information, care, and educational resources related to your situation. Remember, you do not need to participate in a formal investigation to receive help through Campus Choice.
Disclosure Options
You have several options for disclosing your experience.
You may choose to disclose your experience to the university. If you do, the Title IX Coordinator or an Equity Grievance and Title IX team member will assist you through the process.
Alternatively, you can make a confidential disclosure to confidential resources.
You may choose to disclose this information to law enforcement to pursue criminal remedies. You can pursue both an Equity Grievance and Title IX process and a law enforcement process.
Confidential Resources for Students
Student Health & Wellness Center
560 Indiana St.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6136
Confidential Resources for Employees
Employee Assistance Program
1.800.433.2320
Confidential Resources within the Community, not affiliated with SOU
Suicide & Crisis Line: 988 (call, chat, or text 24/7)
Jackson Country Mental Health: 541.774.8201 (24/7 crisis hotline)
Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team (JCSART): JCSART provides free immediate care after sexual assaults at any Jackson County Hospital. They also offer support groups for women and queer and trans people. Visit their website at www.jacksoncountysart.org, call 541.840.0904 or email jcsart@charter.net.
Community Works: A local, 24-hour hotline available in multiple languages, including American Sign Language. Community Works supports and empowers anyone impacted by domestic and sexual violence. It provides crisis support, safe housing, and help whenever needed. All genders are welcome. All services are free and confidential. Visit www.community-works.org or call 541.779.4357.
You may make a non-confidential report to the University using the Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Report Form listed here.
Anyone may make a report to local law enforcement by calling 911 or visiting www.reportingoptions.org.
Elements of Campus Choice
Campus Choice Element #1
A person reporting a sexual assault has the option to disclose anonymously, confidentially, or by making a formal report to the University.
Anonymous reports may be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator using the reporting form available here. The Title IX Coordinator will review the information and document the file. However, the university’s ability to respond further to the information in the report may be limited.
Note: Employees required to report concerns under SOU’s Policy may not remain anonymous and must identify the names of the people involved to the extent known to them.
Other than those serving in the capacity of Confidential Resources, all SOU employees must immediately report sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual exploitation to the Title IX Coordinator. Reports should be made with this form.
Confidential reports may be disclosed to Confidential Resources such as the Student Health & Wellness Center (for students) and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (for employees). Information shared with Confidential Resources will not be shared with the university, including the Title IX Coordinator. Student Health & Wellness Center employees may provide de-identified data to the Title IX Coordinator for purposes of state and federal reporting obligations.
People who experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual exploitation are encouraged to report to the Title IX Coordinator even if they do not intend to pursue the Equity Grievance and Title IX process or law enforcement remedies. Reports can be made online via the reporting form, by email to EquityGrievance@sou.edu, or directly to the Title IX Coordinator.
Campus Choice Element #2
A Complainant or Reporter may complete the reporting form anonymously and still have the information provided documented by the Title IX Coordinator; however, this report may not lead to an investigation.
The Title IX Coordinator will document the anonymous report in written form, and the information will be retained in a manner consistent with the Equity Grievance and Title IX office’s processes. Due to the anonymous nature of the report, the university’s response may be limited.
As a reminder, employees who are not confidential are not permitted to report information that they receive anonymously.
Campus Choice Element #3
Complainants may have questions answered regarding options for reporting, including an explanation of the university’s Equity Grievance and Title IX process or law enforcement procedures before providing any identifying or incident information.
The Title IX Coordinator will seek to answer questions from the Complainant regardless of whether the Complainant has provided details about the incident.
Campus Choice Element #4
There is no requirement to meet with a university official in person when making a report. For example, Complainants or Reporters may report incidents using an online form.
Campus Choice Element #5
Reasonable efforts will be made to allow the Complainant to control the scheduling, location, time, and date of meetings that they are eligible to attend.
If the University cannot accommodate the Complainant’s request, the University will explain why and offer alternatives.
The University will create space for law enforcement to conduct an interview on campus if the Complainant requests it.
Campus Choice Element #6
Reasonable efforts will be made to meet the needs of the Complainant and to address any barriers they may face in providing a report regarding their incident of discrimination.
The Title IX Coordinator will listen to the Complainant’s concerns about an investigation, whether through the University process or through law enforcement, and work to address those barriers to the extent feasible so that the Complainant may feel comfortable with proceeding.
Investigators will conduct interviews in a trauma-informed manner.
Campus Choice Element #7
Any university official or investigator interviewing the Complainant and Respondent shall be trained in trauma-informed interviewing and will employ this method of interviewing when collaborating with the parties.
Reasonable efforts shall be made to limit the number of times a Complainant or Respondent is interviewed regarding the assault.
The participant’s safety, cognitive impairment, and mental health shall be considered before any interview.
Campus Choice Element #8
When a report is made to the Title IX Coordinator or designee, all involved parties will be given information regarding reporting their concerns using the university’s Equity Grievance and Title IX process and the law enforcement process.
The Title IX Coordinator and investigator will have specific and accurate knowledge of student conduct violations; however, they cannot provide legal advice to the Parties.
The Title IX Coordinator must offer to discuss any appropriate supportive measures that the university may provide, the timeline for the process, and the various steps for the Equity Grievance and Title IX procedure. Supportive measures may include a safety check to assess the Complainant’s immediate safety, the safety of others, and the ability of the Complainant to continue engaging in their role in the campus community.
The Title IX Coordinator must offer to assist the Complainant in obtaining clear and accurate information about the law enforcement reporting process. If the Complainant wants accompaniment to law enforcement, the Title IX Coordinator may refer the Complainant to a community-based advocate.
Campus Choice Element #9
Reasonable efforts will be made to meet the needs of the Complainant and to address any barriers faced when participating in sexual assault investigations with the Equity Grievance and Title IX Office or with law enforcement.
Understanding that each Complainant’s situation is unique, the Title IX Coordinator shall attempt to view the investigative process from the Complainant’s perspective and not assume what barriers are faced by participating in an investigation.
As barriers arise during an Equity Grievance and Title IX or law enforcement investigation, the Title IX Coordinator will make reasonable efforts to address those barriers through supportive measures relating to housing, academic concerns, and employment.
The Title IX Coordinator will inform the Complainant of their right to collaborate with law enforcement to address any barriers to the law enforcement investigation.
Campus Choice Element #10
After making a report, a Complainant will not be pressured to participate or not participate in a university or law enforcement investigation.
When a report is made to the Title IX Coordinator, the Complainant will receive information and support regardless of whether they choose to pursue further action.
Campus Choice Element #11
After a formal report is given, no involved party shall be required to attend the administrative hearing.
The university will not require any involved party to participate in a hearing. If any party would like to participate in the hearing, they may, but it will not be mandatory. The party’s choice to participate in an investigation or hearing may impact the outcome of the matter.
Campus Choice Element #12
When reporting to a Confidential Resource, a Complainant’s right to confidentiality shall be respected.
When legally permissible, no person shall be notified that the Complainant has disclosed without the Complainant’s consent.
Campus Choice Element #13
College or university officials will ensure that all parties receive accurate information about the investigative process.
The investigator will inform the parties of the status of the investigation periodically and simultaneously.
Both parties will be informed that no case may proceed without a complete investigative process.
Campus Choice Element #14
The university will endeavor to hold regular collaborative meetings, including, but not limited to, Title IX Officials, Campus Law Enforcement, Municipal Law Enforcement, and Community-Based Advocates.
The intention of these meetings is information sharing relating to sexual assault perpetration on campus while still respecting the requested level of confidentiality of complainants.
Information from these meetings may be used to formulate specific educational and prevention activities to increase the safety of the entire campus community.
Information from these meetings may be used to eliminate a hostile environment and prevent further sexual violence.
These meetings will provide a venue for continuously evaluating campus culture and response to ensure the university provides adequate, reliable, and impartial investigations.
Image above: Campus Choice – education – coordination – help – options – information – care