These complaint procedures apply to the University and its auxiliary organizations and are to be used in conjunction with the Affirmative Action and Non-Discrimination Policy issued as of January 2, 1996. All employees and students, female or male, who believe they have been subjected to discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, have several ways to make their concerns known. Every effort should be made to resolve any incident as soon as possible while the facts and potential testimony of witnesses, if any, are current. It is the policy of Sonoma State University that retaliation against reporting parties is prohibited.
Sexual assault is a form of sexual harassment and is also a violation of the criminal code.
Thus, an individual reporting an allegation of sexual assault may initiate either a criminal complaint, a discrimination complaint, or both. To file a complaint of discrimination with the University, the reporting party should use this document, the SSU Affirmative Action and Non-Discrimination Policies and Discrimination Complaint Procedures. I. Relationship Between Discrimination Complaint Procedures and Disciplinary Action. Any complaint alleging discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual assault, will be investigated according to the procedures in this document, SSU Affirmative Action and Non-discrimination Policies and Discrimination Complaint Procedures. This investigation will result in findings being made and if necessary, recommendations for sanctions, and will serve as the investigation normally carried out prior to deciding to initiate discipline.