For questions concerning this document, please contact:
Dr. Robert A. Pastoor
Title IX Coordinator
University of Saint Francis
2701 Spring Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
[email protected]
260.399.7700 ext. 6745
Trinity 105
The University of Saint Francis (USF) is committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment conducive to academic achievements and healthy interpersonal interaction. Discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct on the part of a member of the USF community is clearly inconsistent with these purposes and can be a violation of state and federal law. Members of the USF community, guests, and visitors have the right to be free from sexual harassment. All members of the campus community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. When an allegation of misconduct is brought to an appropriate administrator’s attention, and a Responding Party is found to have violated this policy, serious sanctions will be used to reasonably ensure that such actions are never repeated. This policy has been developed to reaffirm these principles and to provide recourse for those individuals whose rights have been violated. This policy is intended to define community expectations and to establish a mechanism for determining when those expectations have been violated.
As a recipient of federal funding the University is required to comply with Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972, 10 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. (Title IX). Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex — including pregnancy discrimination and Sexual Harassment — in educational programs and activities. Title IX’s sex discrimination prohibition extends to claims of discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity.
Sexual Harassment is defined broadly under this Sexual Harassment Policy (Policy). Sexual Harassment includes Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Non-Consensual Sexual Contact, Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse, Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, Child Molesting, and sex discrimination, as defined below. Sexual Harassment is a violation of University policy, state and federal civil rights laws, and may violate state and federal criminal laws. When an allegation of Sexual Harassment is brought to an appropriate individual’s attention, and a Respondent is found to have violated this policy, the University will issue appropriate sanctions to prevent future misconduct.
The University reserves the right to take whatever measures it deems necessary in response to an allegation of Sexual Harassment in order to protect the rights and personal safety of students, employees, and other members of the University Community. Such measures include, but are not limited to, modification of living arrangements, interim suspension from campus pending a hearing, and reporting the matter to local police. Not all forms of Sexual Harassment 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.
In its employment practices, selection of students, and administration of all programs and activities, the University of Saint Francis maintains a policy of non-discrimination regarding age, race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, genetics and veteran status. The university has appointed the Vice President for Student Affairs to serve as the Title IX Coordinator to ensure compliance with all Title IX regulations. Student inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Robert A. Pastoor, [email protected], Trinity Hall – room 105; university employees may also direct their inquiries and complaints to the Director of Human Resources, 260-399-7700, ext. 6901.
It is a violation under Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 for any person to engage in discrimination or harassment based on several criteria, including sex. Anyone who believes that the university is not in compliance with Title IX and its regulations or wishes to discuss concerns or file an informal or formal complaint should contact the Title IX Compliance Officer, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Robert A. Pastoor, [email protected], Trinity Hall, room 105 or by telephone at 399-7700 x 6745.