Students should understand that the use of alcohol or other drugs in no way diminishes their personal responsibility for acts of sexual assault perpetrated while under the influence of such substances. Offenders are subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Conduct Code printed in this guidebook. A sexual act includes, but is not limited to, actual or attempted intercourse, sexual touching, fondling, and groping. Sexual assault is classified as rape when vaginal, anal or oral intercourse takes place without the consent of the person penetrated. This includes penetration by a foreign object.
Consent is defined as positive cooperation.
When people consent to sexual activity, they will have indicated, verbally or otherwise, that they are participating willingly, freely, and voluntarily. However, the existence of a dating relationship between the persons involved, or the fact of past sexual relations between them, should never by itself be assumed to be an indicator of consent, nor should consent necessarily be adduced from silence. Sexual harassment is defined in the university's separate policy on sexual harassment. The university is committed to creating a campus environment that both promotes and expedites prompt reporting of sexual assault, and to providing compassionate support services for survivors. Students who become the victims of campus-related sexual assault are entitled to certain rights that shall be accorded by all university officers, administrators, and employees.