ROCKY VISTA UNIVERSITY

Reporting Sexual Misconduct

Any individual who believes that an employee or student of the University, including him or herself, has been subjected to sexual misconduct is encouraged to immediately follow the applicable reporting and investigation procedures and may also pursue criminal, civil, and/or administrative remedies provided by federal and state law. The University encourages all individuals to report possible sexual misconduct that they suffer or observe, and requires responsible employees of the University to do so.

The purpose of these investigation procedures is to provide prompt and equitable processes for addressing and investigating incidents of sexual misconduct allegedly committed against students and employees. A lengthy period of time between an alleged occurrence and an investigation may make fact-finding more difficult; therefore, individuals are encouraged to raise concerns and complaints as soon as possible.

The University provides three different procedures, described below, for investigating and adjudicating Requests for Investigation of sexual misconduct allegedly committed by students. The first two options address Requests for Investigation alleging misconduct other than sexual violence: an Informal Conciliation Process and a Formal Investigation Process, and a third process is available only for Sexual Violence Requests for Investigation: the Sexual Violence Response Process.

• RVU Formal Sexual Misconduct Request for Investigation (PDF)
• RVU Informal Sexual Misconduct Request for Investigation (PDF)
• RVU Sexual Violence Request for Investigation (PDF)

If unsure about the appropriate process for a Request for Investigation or unsure whether to file a Request for Investigation, please contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator at ldement@rvu.edu for an initial meeting, wherein the Title IX Coordinator will discuss the options and answer any questions.

The University highly recommends that the Reporting Party of sexual violence seek immediate medical attention after the incident. The Title IX Coordinator will provide, if needed, referrals to a medical professional.

In addition, please notify the RVU Security Department, as well as the police jurisdiction where the assault occurred or 911.

Resources

For those who are victims of sexual assault, it is important to get immediate medical attention, even if there are no obvious physical injuries. Go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. A physical examination will help to assure that any injuries will be identified and treated and that victims receive important information about the risks for sexually transmitted disease. An examination does not obligate a victim to any kind of investigation; however, it allows evidence to be obtained and preserved in the event a criminal investigation is authorized at a later time. Victims should not bathe, shower, douche, or change clothes before the examination. Individuals are also encouraged to seek counseling. Support by a trained counselor can help the individual understand and work through the trauma of the incident. Counselors can also help others who are close to the individual.

RVU Campus and Community Resources

Students or employees needing immediate and confidential medical assistance, treatment and other health services following an incidence of sexual assault, may contact one of the following resources:

• Rocky Vista Health Center
  Located on the RVU-CO campus
  (720) 875-2880
• Dixie Regional Medical Center
  515 S 300 E, St. George, UT 84770
  (435) 251-1000
• RVU-CO Security Office
  (720) 875-2892
• RVU-SU Security Office
  (435) 222-1256
• Title IX Coordinator
  (720) 874-2481

Sexual Misconduct or Assault Complaints to Outside Agencies

In addition to the University’s complaint procedures, a Reporting Party or alleged Reporting Party has the right to file a complaint of sexual misconduct or assault with local law enforcement agencies. As referenced elsewhere in this Policy, the involvement of outside law enforcement agencies may necessitate some accommodation in the timing and manner of the University’s Title IX investigation so as not to impede such external proceedings.

However, the University will ensure that it takes appropriate interim measures to protect the Reporting Party in the educational setting as well as to follow through with its own Title IX mandated processes once it learns that the local law enforcement agencies have indicated that their proceedings will not be compromised by the resumption of the University’s Title IX processes. Local law enforcement agencies to which complaints may be directed include:

• Parker Police Department
  18600 E. Lincoln Meadows Pkwy., Parker, CO 80134
  Phone: (303) 841-9800
  Web: http://www.parkerpolice.org/
• Colorado State Patrol – District 1
  4600 Castleton Court, Castle Rock 80109
  Phone: (303) 688-3115
  Web: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/csp/district-one-metro
• Santa Clara/Ivins Police Department
  2603 Santa Clara Dr, Santa Clara, UT 84765
  Phone: (435) 652-1122
  Web: http://www.ivins.com/public-saftey/
• Utah Highway Patrol
  620 South 5300 West, Ste 216, Hurricane, Utah 84737
  Phone: (435) 634-2890
  web: https://highwaypatrol.utah.gov/uhp-offices/section-12-hurricane/

Sexual Assault Prevention

Sexual assault is when one person forces another person into sexual contact without that person’s consent. Here are strategies to protect yourself:

• Avoid people who don’t allow you to make your own decisions and those who give you the feeling that you “owe them” something.
• Be very explicit with dates about how intimate you expect the relationship to be.
• Do not assume that a person will know that you are comfortable with “going so far” and no further.
• Don’t drink beverages that you did not open yourself.
• Don’t exchange or share drinks with anyone.
• Don’t drink from a container that is being passed around.
• If someone offers you a drink at a bar or club, accompany the person to the bar, watch the drink being poured, and carry the drink yourself.
• Don’t leave your drink unattended while using the restroom or making a phone call. If you realize you have left it unattended, throw the drink away.
• Don’t mix drugs and alcohol.

Safe Walk Program

The Safe Walk program is available to all students and staff. Contact any Security Officer, at any time of the day or night, for an escort on campus.

Title IX Education Programs for RVU Students and Staff

Rocky Vista University is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex (gender), including sexual misconduct, sexual assault, relationship (dating and domestic) violence and stalking.

The University provides resources and training to students, faculty and staff to address concerns related to sexual harassment and sexual violence prohibited by Title IX and University policy.

New Student Orientation

New student orientation covers topics such as sexual assault prevention and education, reporting procedures for sexual harassment and assault, as well as drug and alcohol awareness.

Mandatory Title IX Awareness Training

As part of its commitment to maintaining a campus free of sexual discrimination and harassment, including sexual violence, Rocky Vista University has provides mandatory Title IX awareness training for all students and employees annually. The goal of the training is to make our campus community aware of sexual violence and to understand how to prevent it.

Title IX Task Force

The Title IX Task Force, led by the Title IX coordinator, Ms. Laura Dement, is broadly based, including students, faculty, and staff members specializing in this area. The Task Force meets regularly to improve the way the University responds to student and employee reports of discrimination, harassment (including sexual misconduct), stalking and interpersonal violence. It also develops and delivers ongoing sexual misconduct and assault prevention communication campaigns to students and staff.

Campus Safety and Security Office

Printed information and communication about sexual misconduct and assault awareness, prevention, and reporting is made available to students and staff outside of the Office of Campus Safety and Security, as well electronically on monitors around the campus.

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 and the Drug-Free Workplace of 1988 require all schools and institutions of higher education to adopt and implement a program to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees on University property or as part of any University activities.

The annual notification and the Biennial Review, which are part of Rocky Vista University’s program adopted to comply with these Acts, are required by law. In compliance with the law, the policy can be found in the University Catalog/Handbook, as well as the Employee Handbook.

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Annual Notification – CO: 2019

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Annual Notification – UT: 2019

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Biennial Review: 2018