Title IX Policy: FAQ about the Reporting Process

  1. What types of incidents can I report?
    1. A report can be filed for any misconduct that falls within Salem State’s Title IX Policy or Code of Conduct. This includes alleged discrimination, harassment, sexual or gender-harassment, domestic or dating violence, stalking or retaliation. You do not need to know what policy or definition it falls under in order to report.
  2. Who can complete the online reporting form?
    1. Anyone who has experienced, witnessed or learned of suspected sexual violence or gender-based misconduct that is in any way connected to Salem State University can complete this form. This includes undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty, or guests of any identity.
  3. What happens after I file a report?
    1. Upon receipt of a report of sexual misconduct, it will be reviewed by the Title IX Coordinators. If SSU has your information, one of the Title IX Coordinators will reach out to you to offer supportive measures, resources, and invite you to meet to discuss additional action and disciplinary options. You can choose to respond or not. If you decide to meet with the Title IX Coordinator, they can discuss supportive measures and walk you through out the Title IX complaint and resolution procedures so you are aware of the process and can make an informed choice about whether you want to move ahead with a formal administrative complaint.
  4. Can I report an incident but not want to move forward with a formal disciplinary process?
    1. Yes, you can report an incident and learn about the grievance procedure and related processes, receive supportive measures, and access resources and ultimately decide not to move forward with a formal administrative process. However, please note that in rare cases where reports contain information about significant threats to the health and safety of an individual or the campus community, the University may move forward on their own.
  5. Can I access confidential resources and support measures without having to formally report or move forward with a disciplinary process?
    1. Yes. Confidential resources are available both on campus and off campus. These resources can provide counseling, advocacy, medical treatment, and more. You can reach out to them without having to submit a report.
    2. In addition, there are supportive measures available to students, such as no contact orders, academic accommodations, safety escorts, etc. (see more below). As mentioned above, a student does not have to go through a formal grievance process in order to receive supportive measures. Students can complete the complaint form or contact the Dean of Students Office/Title IX Coordinators to learn more about these supportive measures or work with a confidential resource in order to request these measures.
  6. What are some available support measures I can request and/or are offered?
    1. Supportive measures include:
      1. No contact/communication orders between parties
      2. Escorts to ensure safety while moving between locations on campus
      3. Changes in academic or work schedules
      4. Alternative housing, dining and/or office accommodations; restrictions from areas of campus
      5. Medical and/or mental health services
      6. Assistance in identifying an advocate to help secure additional assistance, such as off campus and community advocacy support services
      7. Academic accommodations, such as: transferring to another section of a course; rescheduling an academic assignment or test; arranging for incompletes, a temporary leave of absence, or withdrawal from campus
      8. viii.Preserving eligibility for academic, athletic, or scholarships, financial aid, internships, study abroad, or foreign student visas.
  7. Can I make a report anonymously?
    1. Yes, you can submit an anonymous report online to the University. Anonymous reports are intended to make the university aware of harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, or other types of misconduct without identifying information on who submitted the report.  This means if you would like to remain anonymous, you should not include your name, contact information or other identifying information on the form.
  8. What can I expect if I report anonymously?
    1. The information provided will be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator and will be used to track reports of misconduct and for reporting purposes to state and federal authorities. This information will also be used to better understand the type of incidences of sexual misconduct occurring within our community and help identify any patterns of behavior.
    2. If SSU does not have the name or contact information of the person making an anonymous report, we do not have the ability to follow-up with the reporting party. Therefore, we strongly encourage the person making the anonymous report to seek supports from any of the confidential on-campus or off-campus resources.
    3. Again, as mentioned above, in certain cases where reports contain information about significant threats to the health and safety of an individual or the campus community, the University may take steps to attempt to identify the source of the report. Some examples of a “significant threat” include: the use of weapons; threats of physical violence or property damage, an intention to harm one’s self or to harm another person.
  9. I reported anonymously, but I want the person who harmed me to be removed from campus and/or be eligible to found responsible of a policy violation. What can I expect?
    1. As SSU is limited in its ability to respond to anonymous reports, without the ability to proceed with a formal complaint and grievance process, an anonymous report, except in certain cases, will not allow for a formal complaint and administrative grievance process.  Therefore, as stated above, the report is used for tracking and statistical reporting purposes only.
  10. If I report anonymously and then change my mind and want to move ahead with a formal complaint, what can I do?
    1. A person may decide at any time to identify themselves and move ahead with a more formal grievance process.  The reporter would contact the Title IX Coordinator and complete the form again with identifying information.
  11. Will I get in trouble if I report an incident but was using substances at the time of the incident?
    1. In the SSU Title IX and Sexual Harassment Policy, it acknowledges students may be hesitant to report sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, stalking, or retaliation out of concern they, or witnesses, might be charged with violations of the Universities’ drug/alcohol policies. However, while the university does not condone such behavior, they place a higher priority on the need to address sexual harassment and other conduct prohibited by this Policy. Accordingly, the University may elect not to pursue discipline against a student who, in good faith, reports, witnesses, or participates in an investigation of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, stalking, or retaliation.
  12. Can I also report information to the police?
    1. Yes.  Anyone who has experienced sexual harassment, sexual violence, or gender-based misconduct may report the incident to the police. University Police is available 24/7 at 978.542.6111. Please note, filling out this report does not automatically trigger a report to police. Resources are available to assist students so they can file a report with university police or students can contact university police on their own.
  13. You list resources that say “Confidential” and “Private” on the reporting form. What is the difference between the terms?
    1. Privacy and confidentiality are not the same and university employees have different obligations and expectations when students disclose information to them. Some employees are expected to keep information private, meaning that it will only be shared internally with other University employees who need to know (such as the Title IX coordinator) and generally would not be shared externally.
    2. Other employees (such as PEAR and Counseling and Health Services) are expected to keep information confidential. Confidential employees typically are guided by state and federal law that requires that they not share information without permission from the student or as otherwise permitted or required by law. Conversations with confidential employees are generally privileged and therefore have additional protections under state and federal law. Confidential employees are not required to make a report to the Title IX office and will typically not share information without your permission. However, in certain circumstances confidential employees may be allowed or required to disclose information.