Respect, Consent, & Title IX

Title IX webpage

Click here to be routed to the Title IX webpage. 

 

Reporting

University reports can be made at reportsexualmisconduct.sewanee.edu or in person to the Title IX Coordinator Dr. Sylvia Gray. Criminal reports can also be made to the Sewanee Police Department (931.598.1111) or by using LiveSafe or to the Franklin County sheriff's department (dial 911).

Our Commitment

The University of the South stands firmly for the principle that its employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs and activities have a right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy and childbirth, and genetic information. As required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or other protected categories in the educational programs or activities which it operates. This requirement of non-discrimination extends to admission to and employment in those programs or activities. The University is committed to sustaining a community in which the dignity of every individual is respected. Key to this value are efforts to nurture an environment of civility and mutual respect and to foster a culture of reporting concerns so that the University can respond promptly and equitably whenever an incident occurs. All employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs and activities have the right to be free from harassment and retaliation. 

Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may be addressed to:

1. The University’s Title IX Coordinator at:
   Woods Lab 138
   (931) 598-1420
   Email: smgray@sewanee.edu or titleix@sewanee.edu
2. The Tennessee regional Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, at:
   Atlanta Office
   S. Department of Education
   61 Forsyth Street S.W., Suite 19T10
   Atlanta, GA 30303-8927
   Telephone: (404) 974-9406
   Facsimile: (404) 974-9471
   Email: OCR.Atlanta@ed.gov
3. The Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education at:
   U.S. Department of Education
   Office for Civil Rights
   400 Maryland Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
   Telephone: 1-800-421-3481
   Email: OCR@ed.gov

A SITUATION MIGHT BE CONCERNING IF:

• Someone is pressured to drink alcohol or use other drugs

• Someone is physically rough with another

• Someone is deliberately trying to intoxicate, isolate, or corner someone else

• Someone ignores another person’s request to stop or to go home

• Someone is being disrespected

• Someone feels afraid of someone else

IN SITUATIONS WHEN SOMETHING DOESN’T SEEM RIGHT TO YOU, THINK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN INTERVENE TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR EVERYONE:

• Talk to your friends honestly and openly about sexual violence.

• Don’t just stand by—if you see something, do something, in any way you can, to change the situation.

• Be direct—ask someone who looks like they may need help if they’re okay.

• Get someone to help you if you see something—look at all the great resources in the resource section for more guidance.

REMEMBER THAT WE HOLD TWO VALUES RELEVANT TO THIS CHALLENGE:

1. Demonstrate self-control and

2. Develop trusting relationships.

If everyone manages these two values, we will all effectively demonstrate care for each other. To understand healthy relationships, first, everyone needs to know some basic expectations related to respect, consent, and sexual activity.

RULES TO REMEMBER:

• The person desiring to initiate sexual activity is responsible for obtaining effective consent.

• In order to obtain consent, permission must be given prior to or simultaneously with the sexual activity in question.

• Effective consent should never be assumed. Lack of protest or resistance does not constitute effective consent. “No” means no, but nothing (silence, passivity, inertia) also means no. A verbal “No,” even if it sounds indecisive or insincere, should always be treated as a denial of effective consent.

• If there is confusion as to whether effective consent is present (e.g., words, gestures, or other indications of hesitation or reluctance), the parties should stop the sexual activity immediately and verbally communicate with each other to resolve the confusion.

• A prior sexual relationship or prior sexual activity does not constitute consent to subsequent sexual activity. Past consent does not imply future consent.

A few definitions ... consent is clear, knowing, and voluntary. Consent is active, not passive. Silence, in and of itself, cannot be interpreted as consent.

Sexual misconduct offenses include: non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Each term is more explicitly defined in the Title IX policy. It’s important to know the terms and expectations.

INTERVENING

In situations when something doesn’t seem right to you, think about how you can intervene to make it safe for everyone.

• Talk to your friends honestly and openly about sexual violence.
• Don’t just stand by—if you see something, do something, in any way you can, to change the situation.
• Be direct—ask someone who looks like they may need help if they’re okay.
• Get someone to help you if you see something—enlist a friend, a proctor, a faculty member, or the police or a parent. Be fearless in asking for help.