Goshen College Community Values
As explained in The Goshen College Mission Statement and the Commitment to Community Standards, Goshen College is a Christian institution in which "we begin with a vital concern for the welfare of all community members." In line with these values, which express our commitment to a quality of campus life for every member of our community, Goshen College affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities in education and employment.
Toward this commitment, and in recognition of the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Indiana Civil Rights Law, Goshen College strives to provide an environment free of inappropriate treatment of individuals because of sex or sexual orientation. This policy applies to students, teaching and administrative faculty, staff, and all others, including visitors, vendors, guests, prospective students, and members of the public.
Outside contractors, vendors, and others who do business with the College or enter College premises are expected to comply with this policy and ensure that their agents comply with this policy; the College will take appropriate action if they fail to do so. The College, for example, may suspend or terminate a contract if the contractor fails to correct a sexual misconduct problem that appropriate college officials have brought to its attention. Furthermore, the College, if it determines that a contractor has failed to take appropriate action or has shown a tolerance for any activity which in the belief of the College constitutes sexual misconduct, may bar the contractor from holding future contracts with the College.
Statement of Policy
Goshen College does not condone and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct toward any individual based on the individual's sex or sexual orientation.
Such sexual misconduct includes but is not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This encompasses misconduct that does not reach the level of actionable sexual harassment, misconduct that is sufficiently severe and pervasive that it rises to the level of sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct that involves criminal penalties.
Examples of Sexual Misconduct
Examples of sexual misconduct include, among other actions:
Unwelcome comments and conduct of a sexual nature or that are demeaning to women or men as a group (for example, offensive or vulgar jokes, name-calling, comments about one’s body or sex life, stereotyping based on a person’s sex, touching, leering, ogling, patting, pinching, indecent exposure, physical gestures, or displaying sexually explicit photographs or objects);
Unwelcome demands or requests for sexual favors or social or sexual encounters;
Suggestions that submission to or rejection of sexual conduct will affect decisions regarding such matters as employment, work assignment or status, academic standing, grades, receipt of financial aid, or letters of recommendation, or receipt of a Goshen College benefit or service;
The use of submission to or rejection of sexual conduct as the basis for making, influencing, or affecting decisions that have an impact upon the terms and conditions of education, employment, or receipt of any other Goshen College benefit or service; and
Nonconsensual sexual contact.
Given the nature of this type of conduct and the serious effects such conduct can have, Goshen College treats alleged violations of this Policy seriously and expects all individuals to treat alleged violations in the same responsible manner.
Reporting Sexual Misconduct
(1) Reporting Sexual Misconduct by a Student:
Report sexual misconduct involving a student to one of these individuals:
- Jeanne Liechty, Associate Professor of Social Work
- Dean Rhodes, Associate Professor of Spanish
- Lisa Guedea Carreno, Library Director
- Launa Rohrer, Associate Dean of Students
- Glenn Gilbert, Utilities Manager; Sustainability Coordinator
- Jewel Lehman, Associate Professor of Physical Education
Goshen College will promptly and equitably address any complaints of sexual misconduct by:
(1) advising the person reporting the alleged inappropriate conduct ("the complainant") about available College and community resources, including health care services, counseling and other mental health services, and law enforcement authorities;
(2) assisting the complainant in accessing college and community resources, including campus and local law enforcement authorities, when such assistance is requested;
(3) making reasonable changes in living, working, or academic arrangements as appropriate;
(4) carrying out a prompt and thorough investigation;
(5) treating all complaints as confidential to the extent consistent with conducting a thorough investigation;
(6) taking disciplinary or other corrective action where appropriate; and
(7) advising both the complainant and the person about whose conduct the complaint is made ("the respondent") of the outcome of the investigation.
Student Expectations: Goshen College Response to Reports of Sexual Misconduct
Community Resources
Goshen General Hospital Emergency Department: http://www.goshenhosp.com/main.asp?id=17
Campus Wellness and Health Center: 535-7474
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE
Retaliation
Threats, other forms of intimidation, and retaliation against a complainant or any other party involved in implementing the college sexual misconduct policy are violations of the policy and may be grounds for disciplinary action.
Supervisor/Supervisee and Faculty/Student Interactions
If there is a sexual or romantic relationship between a supervisor and someone he or she supervises or a faculty member and a student over whom she or he has authority, the supervisor or faculty member has the obligation to report the relationship to the administration immediately.
Goshen College discourages sexual or romantic relationships between individuals who have unequal power in educational and employment contexts at the College. Accordingly, faculty members (and others who make or affect decisions affecting student academic, career, or living circumstances) are prohibited from engaging in sexual or romantic interactions with students, whether consensual or otherwise. Goshen College likewise discourages supervisors from engaging in such relationships with those they supervise.
This guideline is based on Goshen College's desire to protect students, to maintain equal opportunity in employment, and to preserve its professional and educational community. Because of the power differential that exists between students and faculty members (or others who make decisions regarding student conditions) and between supervisors and supervisees, even consensual romantic and/or sexual interactions between the two present a high risk of interference with the healthy Christian environment Goshen College seeks to maintain.
Disciplinary Actions
Sanctions for sexual misconduct may take different forms. In those situations where it is determined, following a thorough investigation, that a violation of this policy has occurred, appropriate action will be taken. Consequences may include but are not limited to the following:
- verbal reprimands
- written reprimands and warnings
- monitoring or restriction of campus access, benefits, or services
- mandatory counseling and/or training
- suspension
- separation from the college
In those instances where a violation is found, documentation of the violation and the disciplinary action will be placed in the respondent's official Goshen College file.
Cases heard and decisions made by the Sexual Misconduct Response Team are shared with the Vice President of Student Life. Any decision made by the Sexual Misconduct Response Team can be appealed to the Vice President for Student Life in writing within 72 hours of communication from the Sexual Misconduct Response Team. The appeal ruling is final
Intentionally Dishonest Complaints of Sexual Misconduct
Lack of corroborating evidence should not discourage complainants from reporting sexual misconduct to Goshen College. However, charges found to have been intentionally dishonest or made maliciously without regard for truth may be subject to disciplinary action.
Goshen College seeks to educate the college community on the topic of sexual attitudes, behavior, rape and assault, and self-protection. Printed materials such as the packet on "Sexuality Issues at Goshen College", the policy on sexual harassment, and the "GC Commitment for Community Standards", are available to each student and employee and should be read carefully http://www.goshen.edu/studentlife/sexuality
More details are given in those materials than can be provided in this document. Additional education occurs through residence halls programming, convocations, self-defense training for women, Human Sexuality course and other classes, printed materials and activities.
Although rape by a stranger can and does occur, most victims of sexual assault know their assailant as a friend, date, family member, neighbor, etc. Remember that no one has the right to force or pressure another to any unwanted sexual activity. It is important for you to know your sexual values and communicate them clearly. In addition, as a way of avoiding date rape:
- Know your date.
- Let others know where you are.
- Express your boundaries clearly and assertively.
- Beware of alcohol and other drugs; it is much riskier if you and your date are under the influence of these substances.
- Avoid risky situations and secluded places.
- Trust your instincts; don't hesitate to end the date if a situation seems strange or uncomfortable.
