| Memo to: | All UH-Downtown/PS Holders | UH-Downtown/PS 0l.A.13 | |
| From: | Max Castillo, President | Issue No. 2 | |
| Subject: | Sexual Assault Policy | Effective Date:08/16/99 | |
| 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This PS sets forth the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) policy on sexual assault. |
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| 2. POLICY/PROCEDURES | |
| 2.1 It is the policy of the University of Houston-Downtown that sexual assault, including rape and other sex offenses, is a violation of the University's Student's Rights and Responsibilities Policy, the University's Sexual Harassment Policy, and the Texas Penal Code. | |
| 2.1.1 UHD provides programming to enhance sexual assault awareness and prevention throughout the year with specific emphasis during annual Sexual Assault Awareness Week programs. Selected faculty and staff members and community experts give presentations and provide resources on request. | |
| 2.2 A faculty member, staff member or student who commits a sexual assault may also be charged with a violation of the University’s Sexual Harassment Policy. The policy explains which administrator the victim should contact to obtain information about penalties up to and including expulsion for students and termination of employment for faculty and staff. See the Student Handbook, the Staff Handbook or the University Policy Statement Manual for more information on the Sexual Harassment Policy. | |
| 2.3 A sexual assault victim may seek on-campus assistance by contacting any of the following: UHD Police Department, Counseling and Career Services, Student Health Services, and the Dean of Student Affairs. Staff members from these offices can provide assistance in notifying the proper law-enforcement authorities, if the victim so desires. To file an emergency sexual assault report off-campus call the Houston Police Department (911) or the Houston Area Rape Crisis Center. For non-emergency reports of sexual assault to off-campus law enforcement officials, victims should call the Houston Police Department. | |
| 2.3.1 Because evidence of a sexual assault and attacker's identity may be left on the victim's body, a victim should not wash in any way until the victim has been examined at a hospital emergency room. A victim of sexual assault should undergo a physical exam as expediently as possible because the evidence deteriorates quickly and is important in proving the assault in criminal proceedings. The hospital staff will collect evidence, check for injuries, and deal with the possibility of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. | |
| 2.3.2 A victim who wishes to file a complaint of violation of the University's Sexual Assault Policy against a student should notify the Dean of Student Affairs. The Dean can assist the victim in reporting the assault to on or off-campus law enforcement authorities. While criminal investigations will be conducted by the appropriate law enforcement authorities, the Dean of Student Affairs will conduct an on-campus hearing or investigation. Possible sanctions against a student found guilty of sexual assault through on-campus proceedings include expulsion, suspension, and probation. See the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy Sec. 3.2.21, Sec. 3.2.28, and Sec. 3.2.2.23 found in the Student Handbook for more information on procedures and sanctions. | |
| 2.3.3 A victim who wishes to file a complaint of violation of the University's Sexual Assault Policy against a faculty or staff member should notify the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources and Affirmative Action. The Assistant Vice President for Human Resources and Affirmative Action can assist the victim in reporting the assault to on or off-campus law enforcement authorities. While criminal investigations will be conducted by the appropriate law enforcement authorities, the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources and Affirmative Action will conduct an on-campus investigation and/or hearing. A faculty or staff member found guilty of sexual assault through on-campus proceedings will be subject to receive penalties up to and including termination. See PS 02.B.03 and PS 10.A.06 for more information on disciplinary procedures and sanctions for faculty and staff members. | |
| 2.3.4 The accuser and the accused perpetrator are entitled to have an adviser or advocate present during campus disciplinary proceedings. Both parties shall be informed of the outcome of any campus disciplinary proceeding alleging sexual assault. | |
| 2.3.5 After reporting a sexual assault, a victim may request a change in academic or employment situations. Accommodations will be made only if so requested by the victim, and only if such changes are reasonably available. A student victim may request assistance from the Dean of Student Affairs or UHD Police Department. If the victim is a faculty or staff member, assistance may be obtained from the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources/Affirmative Action, UHD Police Department, and the appropriate supervisor. | |
| 2.3.6 Counseling and referral information for survivors of
sexual assault is available on campus through Counseling and Career Services and
off-campus through the Houston Rape Crisis Coalition, the Houston Health Department
V.A.S.A. Program, the Houston Area Women's Center , and the Baytown Area Women's Center |
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| 2.3.7 For more detailed information on sexual assault response and prevention procedures, please refer to the resources available in the following offices: Counseling and Career Services, Student Health Services, Human Resources, UHD Police Department, and Student Affairs. | |
| 3. REVIEW AND RESPONSIBILITIES | |
| Responsible Party (Reviewer): Dean of Student Affairs | |
| Review: As needed | |
| Signed original on file in the Human Resource Department. | |
| Policy History Issue #1: 7/1/93 |