Title IX - Non-Discrimination

(from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. Title IX and Sex Discrimination.)

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The Title IX regulation describes the conduct that violates Title IX. Examples of the types of discrimination that are covered under Title IX include sexual harassment, the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics, and discrimination based on pregnancy.

To enforce Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education maintains an Office for Civil Rights, with headquarters in Washington, DC and 12 offices across the United States.”

Title IX of the Education Amendment assures that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

The protections of Title IX also extend to sexual harassment and sexual assault or violence that impairs or interferes with access to equitable educational and employment opportunities. Title IX is applicable to all members of the campus community, individuals doing business with the campus, those utilizing campus facilities, and those who engage in volunteer or work activities in connection with, or for, SUNY Sullivan.

You have the right to make a report to campus safety, local law enforcement, and/or state police or choose not to report; to report the incident to your institution; to be protected by the institution from retaliation for reporting an incident; and to receive assistance and resources from your institution.

The office of the Dean of Student Development Services reviews, updates, and implements current Title IX policies, coordinates appropriate training and resources, and ensures effective and timely responses to student complaints of sexual violence, misconduct, discrimination, or harassment at SUNY Sullivan.

Anastasija Ocheretina, Interim Director of Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator for Employees

SUNY Sullivan, J117
112 College Rd.
Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759
(845) 434-5750, ext. 4268
aocheretina@sunysullivan.edu

Kate Salmonsen, Title IX Coordinator for students

SUNY Sullivan
112 College Road
Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759
(845) 434-5750, ext. 4241
ksalmonsen@sunysullivan.edu

Alba De los Santos, Counselor (confidential resource)
SUNY Sullivan, Office E212E
112 College Rd.
Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759
(845) 434-5750, ext. 4328
adelossantos@sunysullivan.edu

Complainants have the right to confidentially disclose an incident to College officials who are designated as confidential resources. These individuals can assist in obtaining services for Complainants. Individuals who are confidential resources will not report crimes to law enforcement or College officials without permission, except in extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergencies; individuals who can typically maintain confidentiality are subject to exceptions under the law, including when an individual is a threat to himself, herself or others, or the mandatory reporting of child abuse. While counseling staff and Health Services employees do not have privilege, they are considered confidential resources as identified above and so it is important to understand that they will not share a Complainant’s name, or any other identifiable information, without the Complainant’s written consent.

SUNY Sullivan is an affirmative action / equal opportunity college subject to the provisions of Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, Executive Order 11246, Title IX of the Education amendment of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Thus the College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or handicap in admissions, employment and treatment of students and employees. To read the college’s complete policies on Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity and Equal Opportunity Employment, please refer to the links on the right hand side of this page.

Affirmative Consent—A knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create clear permission regarding willingness to engage in the sexual activity. Silence or lack of resistance, in and of itself, does not demonstrate consent. The definition of consent does not vary based upon a participant's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Furthermore, the expectation is that sex acts that occur in a student-centered residence hall are between two consenting adults. Engaging in sexual activity with several students/partners at the same time can pose a variety of risks and in such cases; consent of all partners is questionable.

i. Consent to any sexual act or prior consensual sexual activity between or with any party does not necessarily constitute consent to any other sexual act.
ii. Consent is required regardless of whether the person initiating the act is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
iii. Consent may be initially given but withdrawn at any time.
iv. Consent cannot be given when a person is incapacitated, which occurs when an individual lacks the ability to knowingly choose to participate in sexual activity. Incapacitation may be caused by the lack of consciousness or being asleep, being involuntarily restrained, or if an individual otherwise cannot consent. Depending on the degree of intoxication, someone who is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants may be incapacitated and therefore unable to consent.
v. Consent cannot be given when it is the result of any coercion, intimidation, force, or threat of harm.
vi. When consent is withdrawn or can no longer be given, sexual activity must stop.

If you are the victim of a sexual assault or sexual harassment, SUNY Sullivan offers the the following steps to be taken in as timely a manner as is possible:

• Go to a safe place.
• Call a family member, friend, or other authority figure. Talk to someone you trust.
• Do not alter the scene of the offense or your person in any way until you have been evaluated by law enforcement and/or medical officials. This includes: changing clothes and practicing personal hygiene (brushing teeth, feminine hygiene, washing hair, etc…), as well as cleaning up the physical space in which the offense took place (dorm, campus building, etc…)
• Go to a hospital, clinic, or your primary care physician as soon as possible following the incident for timely treatment of any injuries and to address concerns over the potential for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
• During your visit, medical evidence of the incident will be collected by health care professionals and will be kept for 30 days. This allows you time to decide if you will report the incident to the authorities.
• Medical attention is advisable whether or not you intend to report the incident.  NOTE: The decision to report the incident to local police or campus security is yours to make and is not required.
• When you are in a safe place and have calmed down, write down as many details of the incident as you are able to recall. Be as thorough and precise as you can. These details will help you give a comprehensive report to authorities, and may help you recall the incident more clearly in the event of subsequent legal proceedings.
• Reporting your incident to local and campus authorities: local police, SUNY Sullivan Campus Security, the College Nurse, and/or the Dean of Enrollment Management (Pierre Laroche):
  • SUNY Sullivan Campus Security: (845) 434-5750, ext. 4315
  • SUNY Sullivan Dean of Student Development Services: (845) 434-5750. ext. 4263
  • Sullivan County Sheriff: (845) 794-7100
  • New York State Police: (845) 292-6600
  • Town of Fallsburg Police: (845) 434-4422
  • Fearless! 24-hour hotline: 845-562-5340

Sexual Violence Response Policy
SVP Climate Survey
SUNY SAVR Resources by Campus

Web based anonymous reporting and email reporting are a good way to provide us with tips, but not an appropriate way to request police assistance when you need it. If you need police assistance, call us at the numbers above. if you simply want to pass on information (not a crime in progress) this on-line form can be used.

Student Code of Conduct
Sexual Violence Response Policy
SVP Climate Survey
SUNY SAVR Resources by Campus