An important message to students from President Turner
As we begin a new semester, we’d like to remind you of ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ policies and resources that support our campus community’s safety.
January 28, 2015
Dear ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Faculty Member,
As we begin a new semester, we’d like to remind you of important resources, policies and procedures that support our campus community’s safety.
ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ is committed to maintaining an educational environment that is free from sexual misconduct, including sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. All community members have a responsibility to support this commitment and to be familiar with University policies that prohibit and address sexual misconduct.
Information is available on the and in the online , which was made available in fall 2014 for downloading and printing.
Discrimination, harassment and sexual violence also are addressed in two online tutorials for faculty and staff. If you received access to the training in November, please remember that the deadline to complete the tutorials is January 31, 2015. You will continue to receive weekly email reminders from our vendor, LawRoom, until you complete this important training. Questions about accessing the tutorials should be directed to the Department of Human Resources at DevelopU@smu.edu.
We ask you to please pay careful attention to the information provided in these resources about , the federal law that requires universities to investigate reports of sexual harassment and violence, and to have internal grievance procedures to address Title IX violations. ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ takes very seriously its obligations under Title IX and will vigorously pursue any violations. are available to assist you and other community members who have questions or concerns, or who wish to file a complaint under . Call 214-768-3601 or email accessequity@smu.edu.
In addition to ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s Title IX Coordinator, campus and community resources include:
- ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Police, 214-768-3333, or pick up a blue-light phone on campus
- The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, 214-345-6203
- Trained confidential counselors at ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s Psychological Services for Women and Gender Issues, 214-768-4795; Counseling and Psychiatric Services, 214-768-2277; Office of the Chaplain, 214-768-4502; and the Dallas Area Rape Crisis ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ, 972-641-7273
- The Office of the Dean of Student Life, 214-768-4564
- The Women & LGBT ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ, 214-768-4792
In the event of sexual assault or other forms of sexual violence, all community members are urged to immediately .
If you receive a report of sexual misconduct from a student, please follow outlined on the Live Responsibly website, including notifying ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible. If you have non-emergency concerns about a student’s health or safety, you can share them confidentially through the Dean of Students’ .
Finally, we would like to thank the faculty, staff and students who have helped lead efforts to combat sexual misconduct, including those who have helped to implement the recommendations of ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s . We thank each of you, as well, for your contributions to a safe and supportive environment.
Sincerely,
R. Gerald Turner
President
Paul W. Ludden
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs