Responsible Employee Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Title IX? Isn’t it the law about women and sports?
- While that is true, Title IX is much broader than sports and addresses other forms of sex and gender-based discrimination including sexual harassment and sexual assault. Specifically, Title IX is a federal civil rights law and states “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Under Title IX, schools are required to take steps to eliminate the sexual harassment, prevent its reoccurrence, and address its effects.
Who are Responsible Employees?
- Faculty, Staff, Resident Assistants, Cabinet Members, Administrators, Orientation Leaders, Peer Mentors, and Athletic Coaches are Responsible Employees. Responsible Employees are required by law (Va. Code § 23.1-806 (the Virginia Reporting Statute)) and Policy to report to the University’s Title IX Coordinator all relevant details (including those obtained directly or indirectly) about an incident of Prohibited Conduct that may involve a student, have occurred on campus or in a non-campus building or property, or on public property (see UMW’s Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence for more information or contact the Title IX Coordinator with questions).
How do I make a report of Prohibited Conduct?
- Report Prohibited Conduct through Report a Concern (for reports involving students) or by contacting Director of Compliance and Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Ruth Davison (rdavison@umw.edu). Or Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Employees (Terri Arthur (tlockhar@umw.edu)) or Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students (Brandy Ellard (bellard@umw.edu)).
Who are Confidential UMW Employees?
- Confidential Resources include the Talley Center for Counseling Services, the Student Health Center, and Athletic Trainers. Confidential Resources are covered under lawful privilege and do not have to inform the Title IX Coordinator.
What is Prohibited Conduct that I must report?
- UMW’s Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence defines Prohibited Conduct and procedures for investigating reports of Prohibited Conduct. Prohibited Conduct includes: Sexual Harassment (including Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking), Sexual or Gender-Based Misconduct (including Non-Consensual Sexual Conduct, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking II), Sexual Exploitation, Retaliation, and Complicity.
What information must I report?
- All relevant details that were shared with you, including any information shared with you that includes name of the Complainant (individual reported to have experienced Prohibited Conduct); name of Respondent (individual reported to have committed Prohibited Conduct); name of the Reporting Party (if different than the Complainant); name of any witnesses or individuals involved; and relevant facts including the date, time, and location of the incident.
What if I am not sure if it is Prohibited Conduct or it occurred “off campus”?
- Report it through Report a Concern or by contacting the Director of Compliance and Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Ruth Davison (rdavison@umw.edu). Or Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Employees (Terri Arthur (tlockhar@umw.edu)) or Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students (Brandy Ellard (bellard@umw.edu)).