SHSU Student Rights

Rights Specific to Victims of Complaints of Sexual Misconduct

  • The right to be informed by university officials of options to notify proper law enforcement authorities, including on-campus and local police, and the option to be assisted by campus authorities in notifying such authorities. This also includes the right not to report, if this is the victim’s desire.
  • The right to notification of and options for interim safety measures such as changing academic and living situations after an alleged sexual assault incident, if requested and if changes are reasonably available (no formal complaint, or investigation, campus or criminal, need occur before this option is available).

Accommodations may include:

  • Change of an on-campus housing to a different on-campus location;
  • Assistance from university support staff in completing the relocation;
  • Arranging to dissolve a housing contract and pro-rating a refund;
  • Academic assistance such as exam (paper, assignment) rescheduling, incomplete, withdrawal or alternative course completion, as available;
  • Campus no contact order against respondent who has engaged in or threatens to engage in stalking, threatening, harassing or other improper behavior that presents a danger or threat of danger.
  • Reassignment of work location
  • Escort or transportation assistance

Rights of the Victim and Respondent in Addressing Complaints of Sexual Misconduct

  • The right to report sexual misconduct to the university without discouragement and the right to have report promptly, equitably, and fairly investigated;
  • The right to be treated with respect by university officials;
  • The right to preservation of privacy, to the extent possible and allowed by law;
  • The right to be informed of available resources such as counseling, medical, mental health, law enforcement, immigration, or services for victims/respondents, both on campus and in the community;
  • The right to be fully informed of the sexual misconduct policy and process as described in the Sexual Misconduct Policy;
  • The right to petition that any investigator, coordinator or university administrator be removed from the process on the basis of demonstrated bias;
  • The right to timely notice of any meetings;
  • The right to be provided timely access to review relevant documents or materials, subject to privacy limitations imposed by state and federal law;
  • The right to identify and ask the investigator to question relevant witnesses;
  • The right to have a representative or advisor present (although not directly participating) during any meetings with Investigator, Coordinator, or Appellate Authority;
  • The right to be informed in writing of the outcome and sanction of any investigation involving sexual misconduct;
  • The right to a finding and sanction (if any) based solely on evidence presented during the investigation.
  • The right to appeal the finding and sanction of the applicable administrator, in accordance with the sexual misconduct policy;
  • The right to have university policies and procedures followed without material deviation;
  • The right to be informed in advance, when possible, of any public release of information regarding the complaint.