Any form of sexual offense is a violation of both University codes of conduct and state and federal criminal statutes. This policy has been created in a proactive and preventive posture in the hopes of creating a campus environment where these incidents can be minimized. When these offenses do occur, the focus of this policy is to provide due process for all parties involved and to insure that the complainant is not further victimized by institutional procedures.
Any sexual offense is a significant issue which affects all members of the campus community.
Recent and past events that have occurred either on or off-campus can have an ongoing impact on an individual's well being, and may negatively affect the individual's ability to participate in his or her role as a student. Of equal importance are the repercussions that these sexual offenses create for all members of the university community in fostering a climate of fear and distrust. While education is key to changing attitudes and beliefs which perpetuate sexual offenses, in particular sexual assault and rape, policies can also play a major role. Furthermore, it is the timely and professional handling of such matters that creates an overall perception of a university's responsiveness to and concern for its members. Institutional procedures dealing with sexual offense and its aftermath can have a powerful effect in lessening its occurrence by increasing reporting and creating a climate where violence of any kind will not be tolerated.