Responding to Students

Faculty and staff members may be among the first to notice a student struggling. Those that have experienced trauma from sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence or stalking may be impacted in their ability to eat, sleep, concentrate, etc. Behavior changes may become noticeable in the form of attendance to class or work; missing or incomplete assignments or tests; becoming either more withdrawn or taking additional risks. Not everyone responds in the same manner, so any behavior that is out of character warrants checking in with that individual.

Checking in may trigger disclosure of a sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence or stalking. Disclosure may also come in the form of homework assignments or electronic media responses. If this happens, you must report it to the Carmen Sirizzotti, Title IX Coordinator at 402.559.2710 or at E-mail immediately! Reporting will include all of the information that was shared with you. Typical examples will be names, dates, locations, witnesses, etc. If you suspect disclosure while checking in or during the course of conversation, you may always stop the conversation and let the individual know that if they tell you about Clery reportable crimes that you will have to involve others but, that confidentiality will be maintained to the greatest extent possible. If remaining anonymous is the students wish, you may refer the student to student counseling office on your campus. Please refer to Student Campus Resource List for student counseling contact information.

It is important for faculty and staff members to know if incidents of sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence or stalking is revealed to them, regardless of whether the incidents occurred on or off campus, their role is to refer the student to their campus Student Counseling for confidential consultation (please refer to Student Campus Resource List for student counseling contact information), to Campus Security/Police (please refer to Student Campus Resource List for Campus Security/Police contact information.) and/or to the Title IX Coordinator at 402.559.2710 or at E-mail as appropriate for the circumstances.