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Policy No. '''1107'''<br />
Policy No. '''1107'''<br />
Effective Date: '''Draft''' <br />
Effective Date: '''12/16/14''' <br />
Revised Date: ''''''<br />
Revised Date: '''08/14/20 '''<br />
Reviewed Date: '''''' <br />
Reviewed Date: '''08/14/20 ''' <br />


== Statement of Policy ==
<big>'''Sexual Misconduct Policy'''</big>
1a. Beginning with the University of Nebraska charter in 1869, Nebraska law has provided that no person shall be deprived of the privileges of this institution because of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex is also prohibited by Federal law. The University of Nebraska has programs to promote awareness of and to help prevent domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and to assist members of the university community who are affected by such behavior. Rape, acquaintance rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking are against the law and are unacceptable behaviors under University of Nebraska policy.  These unacceptable behaviors are hereafter referred to as “sexual misconduct.” Sexual misconduct is conduct in violation of University policy and state and federal law that the University will take action to eliminate, prevent, and redress once the University has notice that sexual misconduct has occurred. <br />
 
<br />
===Statement of Policy ===
1b. The President and Chancellor shall implement procedures to address the rights of all individuals involved in cases of alleged sexual misconduct. This policy applies to all University of Nebraska employees and students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and to all programs and activities under the jurisdiction of the University of Nebraska. The University may respond to complaints of sexual misconduct whether they are alleged to have occurred on or off University premises and to complaints of misconduct committed by third parties who are not employees or students. 
1. The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in the education program or activity that the University operates. The University is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and the accompanying regulations not to discriminate in such a manner.  This requirement not to discriminate extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and the accompanying regulations may be referred to a University Title IX Coordinator or the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education or both.<br />
==Awareness, Education, Prevention and Training Programs==
 
As required by federal statutes and administrative regulations, the Office of the President and  Chancellor shall publicize and conduct ongoing programs for new students and employees and other members of the University community to promote awareness of the problems caused by sexual misconduct and to help prevent and attempt to reduce the risk of the occurrence of sexual misconduct. These programs shall include instruction on safe and positive options for bystander intervention that may be carried out by individuals to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of sexual misconduct being inflicted on another person.  Training shall be provided to all persons designated as campus security authorities and involved in responding to charges of sexual misconduct.
2. Beginning with the University of Nebraska charter in 1869, Nebraska law has provided that no person shall be deprived of the privileges of this institution because of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex is also prohibited by federal law. All members of the University community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that maintains an environment free from sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct, which includes domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and stalking, is unacceptable behavior under University of Nebraska policy and against the law. The University of Nebraska has programs to promote awareness of and to help prevent sexual misconduct, and to assist members of the university community who are affected by such behavior.<br />
==Assistance to Persons Subjected to Sexual Misconduct==
 
3.1 Persons subjected to sexual misconduct may be helped—sometimes anonymously—whether or not a complaint of any kind is filed. Changes in academic, living, transportation, and working situations may be made available on a confidential basis by the University as remedies to protect persons, complainants, or witnesses.  The President and Chancellor shall disseminate information about university programs and resources available to assist persons who have been subjected to sexual misconduct, and about  agencies outside the university located throughout the state that provide related services. In addition to identifying resources available to provide counseling and medical treatment, university sexual misconduct programs must provide instruction on the importance of preserving evidence as proof of sexual misconduct, and on the availability of protection orders and other remedies that may be afforded to persons who have been subjected to sexual misconduct.  Preservation of evidence is required of all parties. Concealment or destruction of evidence is prohibited under university rules and the law.<br />
3. Sexual harassment, a type of sex discrimination, is specifically prohibited by this Policy as well as federal laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and Title IX.<br />
<br />
3.a. Under Title IX, sexual harassment means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:<br />
3.2 A person who has or had been involved in a dating relationship, or who has or had a marital, shared residential, or familial relationship with the actor may obtain either a harassment or domestic protection order. Persons who have not been involved in a dating relationship may qualify for a harassment protection order.  Violation of harassment or domestic protection orders issued by courts of this or another state or tribal courts can result in a violator’s arrest and subject the violator to criminal penalties. <br />
3.a.i. An employee of the University conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the University on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;<br />
<br />
3.a.ii. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education program or activity; or<br />
3.3 The Protection from Domestic Abuse Act makes the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) responsible to provide victims of domestic abuse emergency services, support programs, limited medical help and legal assistance in obtaining a protection order.
3.a.iii. “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).<br />
==Complaints, Reporting and Investigation Process==
3.b. Under Title VII, which applies to employees only, sexual harassment also means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the individual’s employment and create an abusive working environment.
A person subjected to sexual misconduct may be helped whether or not a complaint or report of any kind is filed. Changes in academic, living, transportation, and working situations may be made available by the University as remedies to protect persons, complainants, or witnesses. There are several avenues potentially available to make a report or formal complaint of sexual misconduct. A report of sexual misconduct could be made to the University, a civil suit could be filed against the actor responsible for the sexual misconduct, a criminal charge could be filed as a result of a law enforcement investigation, and/or an administrative complaint can be made to the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR).  A person may also choose not to make a report or take further action.<br />
===Scope of Policy===
<br />
1. This Policy applies to all members of the University of Nebraska community regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and to all education programs and activities under the jurisdiction of the University of Nebraska.<br />
'''Complaints to University'''<br />
 
4.0 Students, employees and third parties may complain of violations of the university policy against sexual misconduct. Complaints of sexual misconduct can be made to Campus Security Authorities (CSAs), Investigators, Human Resources or Student Affairs Officer, and Title IX Coordinator. Information on how to file complaints will be publicized by the President and Chancellor.<br />
2. For the purposes of complaints alleging discrimination under Title IX, education program or activity includes locations, events, or circumstances over which the University exercises substantial control over both the Respondent and the context in which the sexual harassment occurs, and also includes any building owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by a postsecondary institution.<br />
<br />
 
4.1. The University will protect the privacy of the parties involved in a sexual misconduct case to the extent possible under the law. In some situations, including those in which disciplinary action is a possible outcome, the law may require disclosure to respondents.<br />
3. The President and Chancellors shall implement procedures to address the rights of all individuals involved in cases of alleged sexual misconduct.
<br />
===Prohibited Conduct Definitions===
4.2. The University may be required by law to investigate complaints of sexual misconduct, but that investigation may be limited by the information provided by the Complainant and the Complainant's willingness to pursue a formal complaint. <br />
<br />
4.3. If the Complainant wishes to avoid revealing his or her identity, the University will make every reasonable effort to abide by Complainant's wishes to remain anonymous; however, the University is required to balance such a request with interest in protecting the safety of other members of the community.<br />
<br />
:4.3.1. Factors that will be considered in determining whether to disclose a report of sexual misconduct, a complaint, or the identity of the Complainant to a Respondent include: the seriousness of the alleged conduct; the Complainant's age; whether there have been other complaints about the same individual; and the Respondent’s rights to receive information about the allegations.<br />
<br />
:4.3.2. If the University proceeds with an investigation or other response to the Report of sexual misconduct, then the Investigator will notify the Complainant before the Respondent is contacted. Retaliation against the Complainant or a third party in an attempt to prevent or otherwise obstruct the reporting or remediation of sexual misconduct is prohibited. The Complainant and others contacted during the course of an investigation should be notified of the University's anti-retaliation policy.<br />
<br />
4.4. '''Handling of Confidential Reports'''.<br />
<br />
:4.4.1. If the Complainant would like to remain anonymous, the Investigator will:<br />
<br />
::4.4.1.1. explain that the University endeavors to investigate the allegations as presented without revealing the Complainant's identity, but that the University cannot ensure complete confidentiality and it may be limited in its ability to take disciplinary action if the Complainant desires to remain anonymous;<br />
<br />
::4.4.1.2. advise the Complainant that the University has an obligation to investigate and document allegations of sexual misconduct, to include general information about reports of criminal sexual misconduct in annual security report statistics which do not identify either the person claiming to have been subject to criminal sexual misconduct or the actor alleged to have committed criminal sexual misconduct;<br />
<br />
::4.4.1.3. to the extent practicable, provide resources and internally manage the Complainant's situation, as the University would if the Complainant did not request anonymity; and<br />
<br />
::4.4.1.4. ask the Complainant to acknowledge and sign a document confirming that s/he has requested anonymity and that may mean that the University is unable to take disciplinary action against the Respondent.<br />
<br />
'''Investigation by University'''<br />
<br />
4.5. The University will investigate and act upon information that is provided to it about allegations of sexual misconduct.<br />
<br />
4.6. The University is committed to the following when investigating sexual misconduct complaints:<br />
<br />
:4.6.1 Assigning investigators who receive annual training on the issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking, and how to conduct an investigation that protects the safety of persons involved;<br />
<br />
:4.6.2. Basing findings on the greater weight of the evidence standard;<br />
<br />
:4.6.3. Treating all parties fairly and equally;<br />
<br />
:4.6.4. Notifying all parties that the investigation will be impartial, prompt and equitable; and<br />
<br />
:4.6.5. Providing all parties an opportunity to be heard.<br />
<br />
'''University Disciplinary Procedures'''<br />
<br />
4.7 Investigations of allegations against students will be handled using the Response to Allegations of Student Sexual Misconduct disciplinary procedures.<br />
<br />
4.8 Investigations of allegations against employees will be handled using the Response to Allegations of Employee Sexual Misconduct disciplinary procedures.<br />
<br />
4.9 University internal investigations and any disciplinary or remedial actions are independent of any civil, criminal or external administrative investigation. The University may pursue an investigation, take appropriate remedial action and/or impose disciplinary sanctions against a member of the university community at the same time the actor is facing criminal charges for the same incident, even if the criminal prosecution is pending, has been dismissed, or the charges have been reduced.<br />
<br />
==Possible Sanctions After Sexual Misconduct Finding== 
Institutional sanctions that may be imposed against students for sexual misconduct range from warning to expulsion. Sanctions against students may be imposed by the Student Affairs Officer, Conduct Officer, or Conduct Board. Institutional sanctions against employees range from warning to termination. Institutional sanctions against employees will be recommended by the Investigator to the person or persons authorized to impose employee sanctions.  Institutional sanctions against third parties range from loss of privileges to trespass exclusion orders.  Notice of the outcome of a sexual misconduct complaint must be provided to both complainant and respondent.
==Definitions==
For purposes of addressing complaints of sexual misconduct against or by University students and employees, the following uniform definitions shall be used by the University.<br />
For purposes of addressing complaints of sexual misconduct against or by University students and employees, the following uniform definitions shall be used by the University.<br />
a. “Actor” means a person accused of sexual misconduct.<br />
b. “Advisor” means any person, including legal counsel, who assists the Respondent, Complainant or Investigator during a Conduct proceeding.<br />
c. “Bodily injury” shall mean physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.<br />
d. “Campus security authority” (CSA) is a University official charged with the duty to report incidents of sexual misconduct to the person in charge of Clery Act reporting. All officers of a university police department or a campus security department are campus security authorities, but there are other CSAs outside of those offices. The Office of the President and  Chancellor shall prepare and publicize a list of designated campus security authorities.<br />
e. “Complainant” means any individual who comes forward to complain of sexual misconduct against or by a member of the University community or a third party.<br />
f. “Confidentiality” means that the University will not disclose the names of individuals involved in sexual misconduct cases to others except on a need to know basis or as required by law.  The University will instruct employees and students about the requirement not to disclose confidential information. Confidentiality is not the same as anonymity, where an individual is not named or personally identified.<br />
g. “Consent” means agreement, approval, or permission as to some act or purpose, given voluntarily by a competent person. Nebraska law states “without consent” means:<br />
:(1) (i) The person was compelled to submit due to the use of force or threat of force or coercion, or (ii) the person expressed a lack of consent through words, or (iii) the person expressed a lack of consent through conduct, or (iv) the consent, if any was actually given, was the result of the actor's deception as to the identity of the actor or the nature or purpose of the act on the part of the actor;<br />
:(2) The person need only resist, either verbally or physically, so as to make the person's refusal to consent genuine and real and so as to reasonably make known to the actor the person's refusal to consent; and<br />
:(3) A person need not resist verbally or physically where it would be useless or futile to do so. <br />
:(4) In the above text, the word “person” means the individual against whom a wrongful act was allegedly committed, and the word “actor” is the individual alleged to have committed a wrongful act. When the actor knew or should have known that a person was mentally or physically incapable of resisting or understanding the nature of his or her conduct, there is no consent.  A person may be incapacitated due to intoxication, mental illness or deficiency or by physical illness or disability to the extent that personal decision-making is impossible. Surprise may also prevent resistance, as where a person is grabbed from behind.


:There are some persons who the law presumes are incapable of consenting to sexual contact or penetration by an actor by reason of their age.  Under Nebraska law an actor nineteen years of age or older may not subject a person under the age of sixteen years of age to sexual penetration, or a person under fifteen years of age to sexual contact. <br />
1. “'''Dating violence'''” means violence committed by a person—<br />
h. “Dating violence” is included within the definition of “domestic assault.”<br />
1.a. who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and<br />
i. “Domestic assault” has three definitions which depend on the harm threatened or inflicted by an actor on a person. An actor commits domestic assault if he or she (i) intentionally and knowingly causes bodily injury to his or her intimate partner; (ii) threatens an intimate partner with imminent bodily injury; or (iii) threatens an intimate partner in a menacing manner. An actor commits a more severe form of domestic assault if he or she intentionally and knowingly causes bodily injury to his or her intimate partner with a dangerous instrument. An actor commits the worst form of domestic assault if he or she intentionally and knowingly causes serious bodily injury to his or her intimate partner.<br />
1.b. where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:<br />
j. “Domestic violence” is included with the definition of “domestic assault.” <br />
1.b.i. The length of the relationship.<br />
k. “Force or threat of force” means (a) the use of physical force which overcomes the person’s resistance or (b) the threat of physical force, express or implied, against the person or a third party that places the person in fear of death or in fear of serious personal injury to the person of a third party where the person reasonably believes that the actor has the present or future ability to execute the threat.<br />
1.b.ii. The type of relationship.<br />
l. “Intimate partner” means a spouse; a former spouse; persons who have a child in common whether or not they have been married or lived together at any time; and persons who are or were involved in a dating relationship. For purposes of this definition, dating relationship means frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affection or sexual involvement, but does not include a casual relationship or an ordinary association between persons in a business or social context. <br />
1.b.iii. The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.<br />
m. “Intimate parts” means the genital area, groin, inner thighs, buttocks or breasts.<br />
 
n. The term “Investigator” means a University official authorized to investigate and recommend remediation of complaints of sexual misconduct.<br />
2. “'''Domestic violence'''” includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.<br />
o. “In violation” means that it is more likely than not that an actor has committed one or more acts of sexual misconduct.  In other words, a greater weight of the evidence standard must be used to find sexual misconduct.<br />
 
p. The term “may” is used in the permissive sense.<br />
Domestic violence includes domestic assault. Under Nebraska law, a person commits domestic assault if the person (i) intentionally and knowingly causes bodily injury to their intimate partner; (ii) threatens an intimate partner with imminent bodily injury; or (iii) threatens an intimate partner in a menacing manner.<br />
q. “Member of the University community” includes any individual who is a student, staff, faculty member, University official, or any other individual employed by, or acting on behalf of, the University. An individual’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Investigator or Title IX Coordinator.<br />
 
r. The term “not in violation” means that it is more likely than not that a member of the University community did not commit one or more acts of sexual misconduct.<br />
Under Nebraska law an “intimate partner” means a spouse; a former spouse; persons who have a child in common whether or not they have been married or lived together at any time; and persons who are or were involved in a dating relationship.<br />
s. “Past sexual behavior” means a person’s sexual behavior other than when the sexual misconduct is alleged to have occurred.<br />
 
t. “Person” means the individual who allegedly was, or was determined to have been, subjected to sexual misconduct.<br />
3. “'''Retaliation'''” means intimidating, threatening, coercing, or discriminating against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this Policy or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Policy.<br />
u. “Rape” is included under the definition of sexual assault and means an actor’s sexual penetration of a person without consent.<br />
 
v. “Respondent” is any member of the University who is charged with one or more acts of sexual misconduct.<br />
4. “'''Sexual assault'''” means an offense that meets the definition of rape, fondling, incest or statutory rape as used in the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting system. A sex offense is any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent.
w. “Retaliation” includes intimidation, threats, harassment, and other adverse action threatened or taken against the Complainant or a third party in an attempt to prevent or otherwise obstruct the reporting of sexual misconduct.<br />
4.a. Rape: The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.
x. “Serious bodily injury” shall mean bodily injury which involves a substantial risk of death, or which involves substantial risk of serious physical disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body.<br />
4.b. Fondling: The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of the victim’s age or because of the victim’s temporary or permanent mental incapacity.
y. “Serious personal injury” means great bodily injury or disfigurement, extreme mental anguish or mental trauma, pregnancy, disease, or loss or impairment of a sexual or reproductive organ.<br />
4.c. Incest: Sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.
z. “Sexual assault” is committed when an actor subjects a person to sexual penetration (i) without the consent of the person, (ii) when the actor knew or should have known that the person was mentally or physically incapable of resisting or appreciating the nature of the person’s own conduct, (iii) when the actor is at least nineteen years of age and the person is under twelve, or (iv) when the actor is twenty-five years of age or older when the person is at least twelve years of age but less than sixteen years of age. <br />
4.d. Statutory Rape: Sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.<br />
Sexual assault is also committed when an actor subjects a person to sexual contact (a) without consent of the person, or (b) when the actor knew or should have known that the person was physically or mentally incapable of resisting or appraising the nature of the person’s own conduct. Sexual assault by contact should be punished more severely if the actor causes serious personal injury to a person than if the actor shall not have caused serious personal injury.<br />
 
aa. “Sexual contact” means the intentional touching of a person’s intimate parts or the intentional touching of a person’s clothing covering the immediate area of the person’s intimate parts. Sexual contact also means the touching by the person of the actor’s intimate parts or the clothing covering the immediate area of the actor’s intimate parts when such touching is intentionally caused by the actor.  Sexual contact shall include only such conduct which can be reasonably construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification of either party. <br />
5. “'''Sexual exploitation'''” includes, but is not limited to: prostituting another person; non- consensual visual or audio recording of sexual activity; non-consensual display or distribution of photos, images or information of an individual’s sexual activity or intimate body parts; non-consensual voyeurism; coercing someone against their will to engage in sexual activity, or; knowingly transmitting sexually transmitted disease (STD) without disclosing STD status.<br />
bb. “Sexual harassment” is unwelcome conduct or behavior of a sexual nature. Both violent and non-violent sexual harassment is prohibited. Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Conduct that is sufficiently serious to limit or deny a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educational program creates a hostile environment, and is prohibited. Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
 
:(1) an exposure of an actor’s genitals done with the intent to affront or alarm any person, and
6. “'''Sexual harassment'''” means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:<br />
:(2) viewing a person in a state of undress without his or her consent or knowledge. <br />
6.a. An employee of the University conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the University on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;<br />
cc. “Sexual misconduct” includes dating violence, domestic assault, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking. <br />
6.b. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education program or activity;<br />
dd. “Sexual penetration” means sexual intercourse in its ordinary meaning, cunninlingus, fellatio, anal intercourse or any intrusion, however slight, of any part of the actor’s or person’s body or any object manipulated by the actor into the genital or anal openings of the person’s body which can be reasonably construed as being for nonmedical or nonhealth purposes. Sexual penetration does not require emission of semen. <br />
6.c. Sexual assault (see definition herein);<br />
ee. The term “shall” is used in the imperative sense.<br />
6.d. Dating violence (see definition herein);<br />
ff. “Stalking” means to engage in a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person or a family or household member of such person with the intent to injure, terrify, threaten, or intimidate.<br />
6.e. Domestic violence (see definition herein); or<br />
gg. The term “student” includes all individuals taking courses at the University, whether full-time or part-time, pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies, whether or not they reside in the University residence halls. Individuals who withdraw after having allegedly committed sexual misconduct, or who are not officially enrolled for a particular term, but who have an expected continued academic relationship with the University, may be considered “students.”<br />
6.f. Stalking (see definition herein).<br />
hh. The “Student Affairs Officer” is the individual authorized by the University and the University Chancellor to be responsible for the administration of the Student Disciplinary Code, and in certain circumstances includes his or her designee.<br />
 
ii. The “Title IX Coordinator” is the individual designated by the campus to respond to allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the university community, and in some circumstances can include his or her designee.<br />
To be considered sexual harassment for the purposes of Title IX, the conduct must meet the additional requirements of occurring in the University’s education program or activity and against a person in the United States.<br />
jj.  The term “University” means University of Nebraska Medical Center.<br />
 
kk. The term “University business day” means any calendar day where the campus offices are open for business and classes are in session, excluding weekends and national holidays.<br />
For employees, sexual harassment also means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the individual’s employment and create an abusive working environment.<br />
ll.“University official” includes any individual employed by, associated with, or performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities in the interests of the University.  University officials who are designated as campus security authorities must report crimes to the person in charge of Clery Act reporting. Counselors and Healthcare Professionals are bound by professional rules that may preclude their reporting violations of University rules when they are acting within the scope of their counseling or professional responsibilities.
 
mm. The term “University premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities, University approved housing and other property in the possession of, or owned, used, or controlled by the University, including adjacent streets and sidewalks.
7. “Sexual misconduct” includes dating violence, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and stalking.<br />
 
8. “Stalking” means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to—<br />
8.a. fear for their safety or the safety of others; or<br />
8.b. suffer substantial emotional distress.
===Other Definitions===
1. “'''Actual knowledge'''” means notice of sexual harassment or allegations of sexual harassment to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or any official of the University who has authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the University. ‘‘'''Notice'''’’ as used in this paragraph includes, but is not limited to, a report of sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator.<br />
 
2. “'''Bodily injury'''” shall mean physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.<br />
 
3. “'''Consent'''” is a freely and affirmatively communicated willingness to participate in particular sexual activity or behavior, expressed either by words or clear, unambiguous actions.<br />
3.a. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, as long as the withdrawal of consent is clearly communicated by words or actions.<br />
3.b. Consent cannot be coerced or compelled by force, threat, deception, or intimidation.<br />
3.c. Consent cannot be given by someone who is incapacitated or does not have the legal capacity to consent, as defined below in the definition of “incapacitated”.<br />
3.d. Consent cannot be assumed based on silence, the absence of “no” or “stop,” the existence of a prior or current relationship, or prior sexual activity.<br />
 
There are some persons who Nebraska law presumes are incapable of consenting to sexual contact or penetration as defined by Nebraska law by an actor by reason of their age. Under Nebraska law an actor nineteen years of age or older may not subject a person under the age of sixteen years of age to sexual penetration, or a person under fifteen years of age to sexual contact.<br />
 
4. “'''Complainant'''” means any individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual misconduct. A Complainant may also be referred to as a “party”.<br />
 
5. “'''Crimes of Violence'''” are those offenses that involve force or threat of force, including murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.<br />
 
6. “'''Force or threat of force'''” means (a) the use of physical force which overcomes the person’s resistance or (b) the threat of physical force, express or implied, against the person or a third party that places the person in fear of death or in fear of serious personal injury to the person of a third party where the person reasonably believes that the actor has the present or future ability to execute the threat.<br />
 
7.“'''Formal Complaint'''” means a document filed by a Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment under Title IX, against a Respondent and requesting that the University investigate the allegation of sexual misconduct. As used in this paragraph, the phrase “document filed by a Complainant” means a document or electronic submission (such as by electronic mail or through an online portal provided for this purpose by the University) that contains the Complainant’s physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicates that the Complainant is the person filing the Formal Complaint. Where the Title IX Coordinator signs a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator is not a Complainant or otherwise a party under this Policy and will comply with the requirements of this Policy.
 
8. “'''Incapacitated'''” means an individual is unable to understand the facts, nature, extent, or implications of the situation due to drugs, alcohol, a mental disability, being asleep, unconscious or in any other state where the individual is unaware that sexual contact is occurring, or based on their age (pursuant to Nebraska law). With respect to alcohol and drugs, intoxication and/or impairment is not presumptively equivalent to incapacitation. Consent does not exist when the individual initiating sexual activity knew or should have known of the other individual’s incapacitation.<br />
 
There are some persons who Nebraska law presumes are incapable of consenting to sexual contact or penetration as defined by Nebraska law by an actor by reason of their age. Under Nebraska law an actor nineteen years of age or older may not subject a person under the age of sixteen years of age to sexual penetration, or a person under fifteen years of age to sexual contact.<br />
 
9. “'''May'''” is used in the permissive sense.<br />
 
10. “'''Member of the University community'''” includes any individual who is a student, staff or faculty member, University official, or any other individual employed by, or acting on behalf of, the University. An individual’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Investigator or Title IX Coordinator.<br />
 
11. “'''Official with Authority'''” means an official of the University who has authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the University.<br />
 
12. “'''Private body parts'''” means the genital area, groin, inner thighs, buttocks, or breasts.<br />
 
13. “'''Preponderance of the Evidence'''” is the standard of evidence the University uses to determine whether the Respondent violated this Policy. A finding of responsibility by a preponderance of the evidence means that it is more likely than not, based on all the reasonable evidence and reasonable inferences from the evidence, that the Respondent violated this Policy.<br />
 
14. “'''Remedies'''” are measures designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s education program or activity. Such remedies may include the same supportive measures that are already being provided to Complainant; however, remedies need not be non-disciplinary or non-punitive and need not avoid burdening the Respondent.<br />
 
15. “'''Respondent'''” means an individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual misconduct. A Respondent may also be referred to as a “party”.<br />
 
16. “'''Serious personal injury'''” means great bodily injury or disfigurement, extreme mental anguish or mental trauma, pregnancy, disease, or loss or impairment of a sexual or reproductive organ.<br />
 
17. “'''Shall'''” is used in the imperative sense.<br />
 
18. “'''Supportive measures'''” means non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the Complainant or the Respondent before or after the filing of a Formal Complaint or where no Formal Complaint has been filed. Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the University’s educational environment or deter sexual harassment. Supportive measures may include counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of work or class schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, changes in work or housing locations, leaves of absence, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus, and other similar measures. The University will maintain as confidential any supportive measures provided to the Complainant or Respondent, to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would not impair the ability of the University to provide the supportive measures.<br />
 
19. “'''Title IX Coordinator'''” is a person designated by the University to coordinate the University’s effort to comply with its responsibilities under Title IX. The Title IX Coordinator oversees the University’s gender equity work to ensure compliance with Title IX, including its policies and procedures, education/prevention efforts, and training. The Title IX Coordinator reviews information about sexual misconduct to identify and address any patterns or systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of supportive measures. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment) to the Title IX Coordinator.<br />
 
20. “'''Past sexual behavior'''” means a person’s sexual behavior other than when the sexual misconduct is alleged to have occurred.<br />
 
21. “'''University'''” means University of Nebraska.
===Awareness, Education, Prevention, and Training Programs===
1. As required by federal statutes and administrative regulations, the Office of the President and each Chancellor shall publicize and conduct ongoing programs for new students and employees and other members of the University community to promote awareness of the problems caused by sexual misconduct and to help prevent and attempt to reduce the risk of the occurrence of sexual misconduct. These programs shall include instruction on safe and positive options for bystander intervention that may be carried out by individuals to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of sexual misconduct being inflicted on another person. Training shall be provided to all persons designated as campus security authorities and involved in responding to reports of sexual misconduct.<br />
 
2. Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution will receive annual training on the issues related to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and on how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability.<br />
 
3. In addition to the training described above, Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process will receive the following training:<br />
3.a. Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, will receive training on<br />
3.a.i. The definition of sexual harassment,<br />
3.a.ii. The scope of the University’s education program or activity,<br />
3.a.iii. How to conduct an investigation and grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes, as applicable,<br />
3.a.iv. How to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias, and<br />
 
3.b. Decision-makers will also receive training on<br />
3.b.i. Any technology to be used at a live hearing and<br />
3.b.ii. Issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the Complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant.<br />
 
3.c. Investigators will receive training on issues of relevance to create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence.<br />
 
4. Any materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, must not rely on sex stereotypes and must promote impartial investigations and adjudications of Formal Complaints of sexual harassment.<br />
 
5. The University will make these training materials publicly available on its website, or if the University does not maintain a website the University will make these materials available upon request for inspection by members of the public.
===Reporting Sexual Misconduct===
All individuals are expected to promptly report conduct that may violate the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy to the University. Although the University does not limit the time frame for reporting sexual misconduct to promote timely and effective review, the University strongly encourages individuals to report possible sexual misconduct within one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the last occurrence of the concerning conduct. A report made after one hundred and eighty (180) days may make it more difficult to gather relevant and reliable information.<br />
 
In addition, all individuals are expected to report conduct that may also violate criminal law to both the Title IX Coordinator and to local law enforcement. These processes are not mutually exclusive and both may happen simultaneously or at different times.<br />
 
1. Any University student, employee, or other individual who seeks to report may contact the:<br />
1.a. Title IX Coordinator;<br />
1.a.i. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report.<br />
1.b. University Police or Public Safety for assisting in filing a criminal complaint and preserving physical evidence; and/or<br />
1.c. Local law enforcement to file a criminal complaint.<br />
 
2. Additionally, reports may be made to the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights regarding an alleged violation of Title IX by visiting www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html or calling 1-800-421-3481.
===Confidentiality===
The University shall keep confidential the identity of any individual who has made a report or complaint of sex discrimination, including any individual who has made a report or filed a Formal Complaint of sexual misconduct, any Complainant, any Respondent, and any witness, except as may be permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) or as required by law, or to carry out the purposes of Title IX, including conducting any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder. The University may be required to share information with other individuals in accordance with FERPA, Title IX, or other applicable law, including lawfully issued subpoenas in criminal, administrative, and civil matters.
===Resources===
1. The President and Chancellor shall disseminate information about University programs and resources available to assist persons who have been subjected to sexual misconduct and about agencies outside the University located throughout the state that provide related services.<br />
 
2. In addition to identifying resources available to provide counseling, advocacy, and medical treatment, University sexual misconduct programs must provide instruction on the importance of preserving evidence as proof of sexual misconduct, and on the availability of protection orders and other remedies that may be afforded to persons who have been subjected to sexual misconduct.<br />
 
3. A person who has or had been involved in a dating relationship, or who has or had a marital, shared residential, or familial relationship with the actor may obtain either a harassment or domestic protection order. Persons who have not been involved in a dating relationship may qualify for a harassment protection order. Violation of harassment or domestic protection orders issued by courts of this or another state or tribal courts can result in a violator’s arrest and subject the violator to criminal penalties.<br />
 
4. The Protection from Domestic Abuse Act makes the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) responsible to provide victims of domestic abuse emergency services, support programs, limited medical help and legal assistance in obtaining a protection order.
===Supportive Measures===
The University will offer supportive measures to Complainants whether or not a Formal Complaint is filed. Supportive measures are available for both the Complainant and Respondent.
===Administrative Leave and Emergency Removal===
The University may remove a Respondent from the University’s education program or activity on an emergency basis. The University may place a non-student employee Respondent on Administrative Leave or the equivalent during the pendency of the procedures. A Respondent will be presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the grievance process. This provision may not be construed to modify any rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act.
===University Disciplinary Procedures===
1. Investigations of allegations against students and employees will be addressed using the procedures implemented by the President and Chancellors.<br />
 
2. The University will follow procedures before imposing any disciplinary sanctions or other actions that are not supportive measures against Respondent for sexual harassment in violation of Title IX. Nothing in this Policy prevents the University from removing a Respondent from the University’s education program or activity on an emergency basis. Nothing in this Policy prevents the University from placing a non-student employee Respondent on Administrative Leave or the equivalent.<br />
 
3. University internal investigations and any disciplinary or remedial actions are independent of any civil, criminal or external administrative investigation. The University may pursue an investigation, take appropriate remedial action and/or impose disciplinary sanctions against a member of the university community at the same time the individual is facing criminal charges for the same incident, even if the criminal prosecution is pending, has been dismissed, or the charges have been reduced.
===Grievance Process for Formal Complaints===
1. A Complainant may file, or a Title IX Coordinator may sign, a Formal Complaint against a Respondent requesting that the University investigate an allegation of sexual misconduct. Filing a Formal Complaint is the first step of a grievance process that determines whether the Respondent is responsible for violating the Policy. Unless a Formal Complaint is dismissed or resolved during one of the steps of the grievance process, the grievance process will include a preliminary review of the Formal Complaint, an investigation, a hearing, and the opportunity to challenge certain decisions through an appeal. Additionally, an informal resolution process may be available at any time prior to reaching a University determination regarding responsibility. If applicable, the University may initiate informal resolution or either party may request informal resolution.<br />
 
2. If the Respondent is no longer a student, employee, or participant in any University-related program or activity at the time of the report, or if the conduct does not fall within the scope of the Policy, the Formal Complaint may be dismissed. The University will, however, help a Complainant identify reporting options outside the University and provide supportive measures.<br />
 
3. A Respondent is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct unless a determination regarding responsibility by a preponderance of the evidence is made at the conclusion of the grievance process by the decision-maker(s).<br />
 
4. Where a determination of responsibility for sexual misconduct has been made against the Respondent, the University must provide or give the Complainant remedies.<br />
 
5. If a Respondent is found responsible for a violation, sanctions may be imposed. Institutional sanctions that may be imposed against students for sexual misconduct range from warning to expulsion. Institutional sanctions against employees range from warning to termination. Institutional sanctions against third parties range from loss of privileges to trespass exclusion orders.
===Retaliation===
No member of the University community may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this Policy or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Policy. Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for Student Code of Conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination, or a report or Formal Complaint of sexual misconduct, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this Policy, constitutes retaliation.
===Recordkeeping===
1. The University will maintain for a period of seven years records of –<br />
1.a. Each sexual misconduct investigation including any determination regarding responsibility and any audio or audiovisual recording or transcript required by the Policy, any disciplinary sanctions imposed on the Respondent, and any remedies provided to the Complainant designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s education program or activity;<br />
1.b. Any appeal and the result therefrom;<br />
1.c. Any informal resolution and the result therefrom; and<br />
1.d. All materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process. The University will make these training materials publicly available on its website.<br />
 
2. For each response to sexual misconduct when the University has actual knowledge, as defined by federal law, the University will create, and maintain for a period of seven years, records of any actions, including any supportive measures, taken in response to a report or Formal Complaint of sexual misconduct. In each instance, the University will document the basis for its conclusion that its response was not deliberately indifferent, and document that it has taken measures designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s education program or activity.<br />
 
3. If the University does not provide a Complainant with supportive measures, then the University will document the reasons why such a response was not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances. The documentation of certain bases or measures does not limit the University in the future from providing additional explanations or detailing additional measures taken.
===Amendments===
1. The Board of Regents may amend this Policy at any time, in whole or in part. There may be times when unexpected issues arise that require prompt action or that involve errors or omissions in the Policy. Examples include a change in federal, state, or local law, the adoption of a new Campus or University policy, the repeal of an existing Campus or University policy, the discovery of a drafting error, or the failure to anticipate a particular situation or type of conduct.<br />
 
2. If an unexpected issue arises, the Policy may be amended pursuant to the following procedure:<br />
2.a. First, the Provost of the University of Nebraska must approve the amendment.<br />
2.b. Second, the General Counsel of the University of Nebraska must approve the amendment.<br />
2.c. Third, the amendment must be reported to the Board of Regents at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board.<br />
 
3. The Provost and the General Counsel may approve an amendment only if each of them separately determines that:<br />
3.a. the content of the amendment is appropriate and reasonably necessary and<br />
3.b. the subject matter of the amendment either requires prompt action or involves minor changes that correct errors or omissions in a manner consistent with the purpose and scope of the Policy. An amendment takes effect when both the Provost and the General Counsel have approved the amendment. The Board has the authority to rescind any such amendment when the amendment is reported to the Board.<br />
===Periodic Review===
This Sexual Misconduct Policy will be reviewed at least every two (2) years. The Provost will initiate this review.
== Additional Information ==
== Additional Information ==
*Contact Carmen Sirizzotti, MBA, SPHR, UNMC Title IX Coordinator at 402-559-2710 or at [mailto:csirizzotti@unmc.edu csirizzotti@unmc.edu] for additional information or questions.
*Contact Carmen Sirizzotti, MBA, SPHR, UNMC Title IX Coordinator at 402-559-2710 or at [mailto:csirizzotti@unmc.edu csirizzotti@unmc.edu] for additional information or questions
*UNMC Student Sexual Misconduct Procedures
*[https://nebraska.edu/-/media/unca/docs/offices-and-policies/policies/executive-memorandum/sexual-misconduct-minimum-training-standards.pdf Sexual Misconduct Training Standards - Executive Memo No. 44]
*[http://www.unmc.edu/hr/Proc/UNMC%20Employee%20Sexual%20Misconduct%20Procedures.pdf UNMC Employee Sexual Misconduct Procedures]<br />
*[https://www.unmc.edu/titleix/_documents/Student-Sexual-Misconduct-Procedures.pdf UNMC Student Sexual Misconduct Procedures]
*[http://www.nebraska.edu/docs/hr/NU_Sexual_Misconduct_Policy_2014_0530.pdf University of Nebraska Regents Policy 2.1.8]
*[https://www.unmc.edu/titleix/_documents/Employee-Sexual-Misconduct-Procedures.pdf UNMC Employee Sexual Misconduct Procedures]
This page maintained by [mailto:dpanowic@unmc.edu dkp].
*[https://www.unmc.edu/titleix/_documents/consensual-relationships-policy.pdf Consensual Relationships Policy]
*[https://nebraska.edu/-/media/unca/docs/offices-and-policies/policies/board-governing-documents/board-of-regents-policies.pdf?la=en University of Nebraska Regents Policy 2.1.8]
*[https://www.unmc.edu/academicaffairs/_documents/compliance/Statement_of_Understanding.pdf Statement of Understanding]
*United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, 1-800-421-3481
*Reference: BRUN, Minutes, 72, p. 36 (May 30, 2014); and BRUN, Minutes, 76, p.28 (August 14, 2020).
 
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Policy No. 1107
Effective Date: 12/16/14
Revised Date: 08/14/20
Reviewed Date: 08/14/20

Sexual Misconduct Policy

Statement of Policy

1. The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in the education program or activity that the University operates. The University is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and the accompanying regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. This requirement not to discriminate extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and the accompanying regulations may be referred to a University Title IX Coordinator or the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education or both.

2. Beginning with the University of Nebraska charter in 1869, Nebraska law has provided that no person shall be deprived of the privileges of this institution because of sex. Discrimination on the basis of sex is also prohibited by federal law. All members of the University community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that maintains an environment free from sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct, which includes domestic violence, dating violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and stalking, is unacceptable behavior under University of Nebraska policy and against the law. The University of Nebraska has programs to promote awareness of and to help prevent sexual misconduct, and to assist members of the university community who are affected by such behavior.

3. Sexual harassment, a type of sex discrimination, is specifically prohibited by this Policy as well as federal laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and Title IX.
3.a. Under Title IX, sexual harassment means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
3.a.i. An employee of the University conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the University on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
3.a.ii. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education program or activity; or
3.a.iii. “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).
3.b. Under Title VII, which applies to employees only, sexual harassment also means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the individual’s employment and create an abusive working environment.

Scope of Policy

1. This Policy applies to all members of the University of Nebraska community regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and to all education programs and activities under the jurisdiction of the University of Nebraska.

2. For the purposes of complaints alleging discrimination under Title IX, education program or activity includes locations, events, or circumstances over which the University exercises substantial control over both the Respondent and the context in which the sexual harassment occurs, and also includes any building owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by a postsecondary institution.

3. The President and Chancellors shall implement procedures to address the rights of all individuals involved in cases of alleged sexual misconduct.

Prohibited Conduct Definitions

For purposes of addressing complaints of sexual misconduct against or by University students and employees, the following uniform definitions shall be used by the University.

1. “Dating violence” means violence committed by a person—
1.a. who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
1.b. where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
1.b.i. The length of the relationship.
1.b.ii. The type of relationship.
1.b.iii. The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

2. “Domestic violence” includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.

Domestic violence includes domestic assault. Under Nebraska law, a person commits domestic assault if the person (i) intentionally and knowingly causes bodily injury to their intimate partner; (ii) threatens an intimate partner with imminent bodily injury; or (iii) threatens an intimate partner in a menacing manner.

Under Nebraska law an “intimate partner” means a spouse; a former spouse; persons who have a child in common whether or not they have been married or lived together at any time; and persons who are or were involved in a dating relationship.

3. “Retaliation” means intimidating, threatening, coercing, or discriminating against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this Policy or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Policy.

4. “Sexual assault” means an offense that meets the definition of rape, fondling, incest or statutory rape as used in the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting system. A sex offense is any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent. 4.a. Rape: The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim. 4.b. Fondling: The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of the victim’s age or because of the victim’s temporary or permanent mental incapacity. 4.c. Incest: Sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law. 4.d. Statutory Rape: Sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.

5. “Sexual exploitation” includes, but is not limited to: prostituting another person; non- consensual visual or audio recording of sexual activity; non-consensual display or distribution of photos, images or information of an individual’s sexual activity or intimate body parts; non-consensual voyeurism; coercing someone against their will to engage in sexual activity, or; knowingly transmitting sexually transmitted disease (STD) without disclosing STD status.

6. “Sexual harassment” means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
6.a. An employee of the University conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the University on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
6.b. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education program or activity;
6.c. Sexual assault (see definition herein);
6.d. Dating violence (see definition herein);
6.e. Domestic violence (see definition herein); or
6.f. Stalking (see definition herein).

To be considered sexual harassment for the purposes of Title IX, the conduct must meet the additional requirements of occurring in the University’s education program or activity and against a person in the United States.

For employees, sexual harassment also means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the individual’s employment and create an abusive working environment.

7. “Sexual misconduct” includes dating violence, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and stalking.

8. “Stalking” means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to—
8.a. fear for their safety or the safety of others; or
8.b. suffer substantial emotional distress.

Other Definitions

1. “Actual knowledge” means notice of sexual harassment or allegations of sexual harassment to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or any official of the University who has authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the University. ‘‘Notice’’ as used in this paragraph includes, but is not limited to, a report of sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator.

2. “Bodily injury” shall mean physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.

3. “Consent” is a freely and affirmatively communicated willingness to participate in particular sexual activity or behavior, expressed either by words or clear, unambiguous actions.
3.a. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, as long as the withdrawal of consent is clearly communicated by words or actions.
3.b. Consent cannot be coerced or compelled by force, threat, deception, or intimidation.
3.c. Consent cannot be given by someone who is incapacitated or does not have the legal capacity to consent, as defined below in the definition of “incapacitated”.
3.d. Consent cannot be assumed based on silence, the absence of “no” or “stop,” the existence of a prior or current relationship, or prior sexual activity.

There are some persons who Nebraska law presumes are incapable of consenting to sexual contact or penetration as defined by Nebraska law by an actor by reason of their age. Under Nebraska law an actor nineteen years of age or older may not subject a person under the age of sixteen years of age to sexual penetration, or a person under fifteen years of age to sexual contact.

4. “Complainant” means any individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual misconduct. A Complainant may also be referred to as a “party”.

5. “Crimes of Violence” are those offenses that involve force or threat of force, including murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

6. “Force or threat of force” means (a) the use of physical force which overcomes the person’s resistance or (b) the threat of physical force, express or implied, against the person or a third party that places the person in fear of death or in fear of serious personal injury to the person of a third party where the person reasonably believes that the actor has the present or future ability to execute the threat.

7.“Formal Complaint” means a document filed by a Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment under Title IX, against a Respondent and requesting that the University investigate the allegation of sexual misconduct. As used in this paragraph, the phrase “document filed by a Complainant” means a document or electronic submission (such as by electronic mail or through an online portal provided for this purpose by the University) that contains the Complainant’s physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicates that the Complainant is the person filing the Formal Complaint. Where the Title IX Coordinator signs a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator is not a Complainant or otherwise a party under this Policy and will comply with the requirements of this Policy.

8. “Incapacitated” means an individual is unable to understand the facts, nature, extent, or implications of the situation due to drugs, alcohol, a mental disability, being asleep, unconscious or in any other state where the individual is unaware that sexual contact is occurring, or based on their age (pursuant to Nebraska law). With respect to alcohol and drugs, intoxication and/or impairment is not presumptively equivalent to incapacitation. Consent does not exist when the individual initiating sexual activity knew or should have known of the other individual’s incapacitation.

There are some persons who Nebraska law presumes are incapable of consenting to sexual contact or penetration as defined by Nebraska law by an actor by reason of their age. Under Nebraska law an actor nineteen years of age or older may not subject a person under the age of sixteen years of age to sexual penetration, or a person under fifteen years of age to sexual contact.

9. “May” is used in the permissive sense.

10. “Member of the University community” includes any individual who is a student, staff or faculty member, University official, or any other individual employed by, or acting on behalf of, the University. An individual’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Investigator or Title IX Coordinator.

11. “Official with Authority” means an official of the University who has authority to institute corrective measures on behalf of the University.

12. “Private body parts” means the genital area, groin, inner thighs, buttocks, or breasts.

13. “Preponderance of the Evidence” is the standard of evidence the University uses to determine whether the Respondent violated this Policy. A finding of responsibility by a preponderance of the evidence means that it is more likely than not, based on all the reasonable evidence and reasonable inferences from the evidence, that the Respondent violated this Policy.

14. “Remedies” are measures designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s education program or activity. Such remedies may include the same supportive measures that are already being provided to Complainant; however, remedies need not be non-disciplinary or non-punitive and need not avoid burdening the Respondent.

15. “Respondent” means an individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual misconduct. A Respondent may also be referred to as a “party”.

16. “Serious personal injury” means great bodily injury or disfigurement, extreme mental anguish or mental trauma, pregnancy, disease, or loss or impairment of a sexual or reproductive organ.

17. “Shall” is used in the imperative sense.

18. “Supportive measures” means non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the Complainant or the Respondent before or after the filing of a Formal Complaint or where no Formal Complaint has been filed. Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the University’s educational environment or deter sexual harassment. Supportive measures may include counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of work or class schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, changes in work or housing locations, leaves of absence, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus, and other similar measures. The University will maintain as confidential any supportive measures provided to the Complainant or Respondent, to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would not impair the ability of the University to provide the supportive measures.

19. “Title IX Coordinator” is a person designated by the University to coordinate the University’s effort to comply with its responsibilities under Title IX. The Title IX Coordinator oversees the University’s gender equity work to ensure compliance with Title IX, including its policies and procedures, education/prevention efforts, and training. The Title IX Coordinator reviews information about sexual misconduct to identify and address any patterns or systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of supportive measures. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment) to the Title IX Coordinator.

20. “Past sexual behavior” means a person’s sexual behavior other than when the sexual misconduct is alleged to have occurred.

21. “University” means University of Nebraska.

Awareness, Education, Prevention, and Training Programs

1. As required by federal statutes and administrative regulations, the Office of the President and each Chancellor shall publicize and conduct ongoing programs for new students and employees and other members of the University community to promote awareness of the problems caused by sexual misconduct and to help prevent and attempt to reduce the risk of the occurrence of sexual misconduct. These programs shall include instruction on safe and positive options for bystander intervention that may be carried out by individuals to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of sexual misconduct being inflicted on another person. Training shall be provided to all persons designated as campus security authorities and involved in responding to reports of sexual misconduct.

2. Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution will receive annual training on the issues related to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and on how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability.

3. In addition to the training described above, Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process will receive the following training:
3.a. Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, will receive training on
3.a.i. The definition of sexual harassment,
3.a.ii. The scope of the University’s education program or activity,
3.a.iii. How to conduct an investigation and grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes, as applicable,
3.a.iv. How to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias, and

3.b. Decision-makers will also receive training on
3.b.i. Any technology to be used at a live hearing and
3.b.ii. Issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the Complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant.

3.c. Investigators will receive training on issues of relevance to create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence.

4. Any materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, must not rely on sex stereotypes and must promote impartial investigations and adjudications of Formal Complaints of sexual harassment.

5. The University will make these training materials publicly available on its website, or if the University does not maintain a website the University will make these materials available upon request for inspection by members of the public.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct

All individuals are expected to promptly report conduct that may violate the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy to the University. Although the University does not limit the time frame for reporting sexual misconduct to promote timely and effective review, the University strongly encourages individuals to report possible sexual misconduct within one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the last occurrence of the concerning conduct. A report made after one hundred and eighty (180) days may make it more difficult to gather relevant and reliable information.

In addition, all individuals are expected to report conduct that may also violate criminal law to both the Title IX Coordinator and to local law enforcement. These processes are not mutually exclusive and both may happen simultaneously or at different times.

1. Any University student, employee, or other individual who seeks to report may contact the:
1.a. Title IX Coordinator;
1.a.i. Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report.
1.b. University Police or Public Safety for assisting in filing a criminal complaint and preserving physical evidence; and/or
1.c. Local law enforcement to file a criminal complaint.

2. Additionally, reports may be made to the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights regarding an alleged violation of Title IX by visiting www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html or calling 1-800-421-3481.

Confidentiality

The University shall keep confidential the identity of any individual who has made a report or complaint of sex discrimination, including any individual who has made a report or filed a Formal Complaint of sexual misconduct, any Complainant, any Respondent, and any witness, except as may be permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) or as required by law, or to carry out the purposes of Title IX, including conducting any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder. The University may be required to share information with other individuals in accordance with FERPA, Title IX, or other applicable law, including lawfully issued subpoenas in criminal, administrative, and civil matters.

Resources

1. The President and Chancellor shall disseminate information about University programs and resources available to assist persons who have been subjected to sexual misconduct and about agencies outside the University located throughout the state that provide related services.

2. In addition to identifying resources available to provide counseling, advocacy, and medical treatment, University sexual misconduct programs must provide instruction on the importance of preserving evidence as proof of sexual misconduct, and on the availability of protection orders and other remedies that may be afforded to persons who have been subjected to sexual misconduct.

3. A person who has or had been involved in a dating relationship, or who has or had a marital, shared residential, or familial relationship with the actor may obtain either a harassment or domestic protection order. Persons who have not been involved in a dating relationship may qualify for a harassment protection order. Violation of harassment or domestic protection orders issued by courts of this or another state or tribal courts can result in a violator’s arrest and subject the violator to criminal penalties.

4. The Protection from Domestic Abuse Act makes the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) responsible to provide victims of domestic abuse emergency services, support programs, limited medical help and legal assistance in obtaining a protection order.

Supportive Measures

The University will offer supportive measures to Complainants whether or not a Formal Complaint is filed. Supportive measures are available for both the Complainant and Respondent.

Administrative Leave and Emergency Removal

The University may remove a Respondent from the University’s education program or activity on an emergency basis. The University may place a non-student employee Respondent on Administrative Leave or the equivalent during the pendency of the procedures. A Respondent will be presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the grievance process. This provision may not be construed to modify any rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act.

University Disciplinary Procedures

1. Investigations of allegations against students and employees will be addressed using the procedures implemented by the President and Chancellors.

2. The University will follow procedures before imposing any disciplinary sanctions or other actions that are not supportive measures against Respondent for sexual harassment in violation of Title IX. Nothing in this Policy prevents the University from removing a Respondent from the University’s education program or activity on an emergency basis. Nothing in this Policy prevents the University from placing a non-student employee Respondent on Administrative Leave or the equivalent.

3. University internal investigations and any disciplinary or remedial actions are independent of any civil, criminal or external administrative investigation. The University may pursue an investigation, take appropriate remedial action and/or impose disciplinary sanctions against a member of the university community at the same time the individual is facing criminal charges for the same incident, even if the criminal prosecution is pending, has been dismissed, or the charges have been reduced.

Grievance Process for Formal Complaints

1. A Complainant may file, or a Title IX Coordinator may sign, a Formal Complaint against a Respondent requesting that the University investigate an allegation of sexual misconduct. Filing a Formal Complaint is the first step of a grievance process that determines whether the Respondent is responsible for violating the Policy. Unless a Formal Complaint is dismissed or resolved during one of the steps of the grievance process, the grievance process will include a preliminary review of the Formal Complaint, an investigation, a hearing, and the opportunity to challenge certain decisions through an appeal. Additionally, an informal resolution process may be available at any time prior to reaching a University determination regarding responsibility. If applicable, the University may initiate informal resolution or either party may request informal resolution.

2. If the Respondent is no longer a student, employee, or participant in any University-related program or activity at the time of the report, or if the conduct does not fall within the scope of the Policy, the Formal Complaint may be dismissed. The University will, however, help a Complainant identify reporting options outside the University and provide supportive measures.

3. A Respondent is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct unless a determination regarding responsibility by a preponderance of the evidence is made at the conclusion of the grievance process by the decision-maker(s).

4. Where a determination of responsibility for sexual misconduct has been made against the Respondent, the University must provide or give the Complainant remedies.

5. If a Respondent is found responsible for a violation, sanctions may be imposed. Institutional sanctions that may be imposed against students for sexual misconduct range from warning to expulsion. Institutional sanctions against employees range from warning to termination. Institutional sanctions against third parties range from loss of privileges to trespass exclusion orders.

Retaliation

No member of the University community may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this Policy or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Policy. Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for Student Code of Conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination, or a report or Formal Complaint of sexual misconduct, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this Policy, constitutes retaliation.

Recordkeeping

1. The University will maintain for a period of seven years records of –
1.a. Each sexual misconduct investigation including any determination regarding responsibility and any audio or audiovisual recording or transcript required by the Policy, any disciplinary sanctions imposed on the Respondent, and any remedies provided to the Complainant designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s education program or activity;
1.b. Any appeal and the result therefrom;
1.c. Any informal resolution and the result therefrom; and
1.d. All materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process. The University will make these training materials publicly available on its website.

2. For each response to sexual misconduct when the University has actual knowledge, as defined by federal law, the University will create, and maintain for a period of seven years, records of any actions, including any supportive measures, taken in response to a report or Formal Complaint of sexual misconduct. In each instance, the University will document the basis for its conclusion that its response was not deliberately indifferent, and document that it has taken measures designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s education program or activity.

3. If the University does not provide a Complainant with supportive measures, then the University will document the reasons why such a response was not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances. The documentation of certain bases or measures does not limit the University in the future from providing additional explanations or detailing additional measures taken.

Amendments

1. The Board of Regents may amend this Policy at any time, in whole or in part. There may be times when unexpected issues arise that require prompt action or that involve errors or omissions in the Policy. Examples include a change in federal, state, or local law, the adoption of a new Campus or University policy, the repeal of an existing Campus or University policy, the discovery of a drafting error, or the failure to anticipate a particular situation or type of conduct.

2. If an unexpected issue arises, the Policy may be amended pursuant to the following procedure:
2.a. First, the Provost of the University of Nebraska must approve the amendment.
2.b. Second, the General Counsel of the University of Nebraska must approve the amendment.
2.c. Third, the amendment must be reported to the Board of Regents at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board.

3. The Provost and the General Counsel may approve an amendment only if each of them separately determines that:
3.a. the content of the amendment is appropriate and reasonably necessary and
3.b. the subject matter of the amendment either requires prompt action or involves minor changes that correct errors or omissions in a manner consistent with the purpose and scope of the Policy. An amendment takes effect when both the Provost and the General Counsel have approved the amendment. The Board has the authority to rescind any such amendment when the amendment is reported to the Board.

Periodic Review

This Sexual Misconduct Policy will be reviewed at least every two (2) years. The Provost will initiate this review.

Additional Information

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