The syllabus template includes language regarding reporting obligations. It should be included in the course syllabus, and staff can also use this language when speaking with students. However, that only provides the most basic notification. Often, faculty and staff are made aware of student situations because they have disclosed it during a conversation while explaining an absence or overdue assignment, or as they attempt to access resources or navigate a college process.
If an employee immediately recognizes the disclosure as a potential Title IX concern, it is important to validate their experience, thank them for feeling safe enough to share it with you, and tell them that the college has an office that specializes in these situations. Let the person know you are required to notify the Title IX office and that you will give them contact information for the office.
If the employee does not immediately recognize the disclosure, the Title IX staff will draft an email for the employee to send to the individual directly. When an employee expresses concern about how a student might react to their report, Title IX will coordinate with the reporting faculty/staff regarding initial contact to mitigate concerns. In the report, simply note that you would like to be contacted prior to any student outreach.
- Report the incident
- Be nonjudgmental
- Be kind
- Be informed
- Investigation
- Counseling
- Follow-up/questions
- Support & modifications
- Thank you for sharing your experience.
- It’s not your fault.
- I’m sorry that happened to you.
- We have an office that can help.
- Don’t interrogate or ask for specific details.
- Don’t ask “why” questions such as “why did you go there?” or “why didn’t you scream?”
- Don’t state what you would have done or what they should have done.
- Don’t tell the person how they should feel or react.
Last Updated September 25, 2024
