Title IX
Title IX Resources and Information
Saint Mary’s College is committed to providing a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all members of our community. Saint Mary’s will not tolerate sexual orientation discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, or other forms of sexual misconduct committed by or against students, staff or faculty.
We share the responsibility for creating a safer, more caring campus culture in which bias, harassment, and violence have no place—and every member of our community is able to flourish. Saint Mary’s complies with applicable state and federal statutes, including Title IX of the federal Higher Education Amendment of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial aid. Sexual assault and sexual harassment are forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX.
Support is available to anyone who has experienced gender-based harassment, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, or other forms of sexual misconduct. Such Title IX violations may also be reported to the Title IX Coordinator using the College’s Incident Reporting Form or by contacting the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators listed below.
Note: Title IX Coordinators and Deputy Coordinators are NOT a confidential source of support. While Title IX Coordinators will address complaints with sensitivity and will keep information as private as possible, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
Reporting A Violation
Any person may report sexual misconduct to the College. The person making the report does not have to be the person alleged to have experienced the misconduct, nor are they required to be affiliated with the College. The College receives reports of sexual misconduct through the Title IX Coordinator or one of the Deputy Coordinators.
Additional options for reporting include:
1. Submit an Online Title IX report or contact one of our Title IX Deputies
2. Talk to a Confidential Resource on or off Campus
3. Contact the appropirate Law Enforcement Agency or SMC Campus Safety
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St. Joseph County Police (violation occurs on campus);
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City of South Bend Police Department (violation occurs off SMC Campus, withi the City of South Bend);
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Notre Dame Police (violation occurs on the University of Notre Dame Campus)
If you need immediate support outside of business hours:
- Contact Campus Safety or Residence Life
- Contact Family Justice Center (can provide transportation)
What happens after reporting?
Following receipt of a report, you will be contacted by a Title IX Deputy to talk through options and resources. Our main goal is to ensure that an individual who has experienced a type of sexual harassment/misconduct is able to access available support measures, both on and off campus. We will work with you to clarify the Title IX procedures and possible next steps.
Title IX Procedure & Reporting Options
1. Supportive Measures Only - no formal complaint is filed but the Complainant continues to receive support measures provided by the College;
2. Formal Investigation Process - a formal complaint is filed and the Complainant and Respodent both participate in the investigation and live hearing process; and
3. Informal Resolution Process - a formal complaint is filed and both parties (and the Title IX Coordinator) agree to participate in an informal process to determine a resolution.
An overview of the Title IX Reporting Procedures can be accessed here.
Title IX Contacts
Title IX Coordinator, Kris Urschel
574-284-5009 | titleIX@saintmarys.edu | kurschel@saintmarys.edu
Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Karen Barber
574-284-4541 | kbarber@saintmarys.edu
Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Adriana Petty
574-284-4861 | apetty@saintmarys.edu
University of Notre Dame Title IX Office
Holy Cross College Title IX Office
Confidential Support Resources
Do you need to talk to someone? Saint Mary's College provides various support resources and services to students as well as faculty and staff members who have been impacted by sexual assault, sexual misconduct, stalking, or dating/domestic violence.
Counseling Services
Belles Against Violence Office (BAVO): 574-284-4081 bellesagainstviolence@saintmarys.edu
Health and Counseling Center: 574-284-4805. HCCenter@Saintmarys.edu
S-O-S of the Family Justice Center: 574-289-4357
RAINN: The National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call or Text 1-800-656-4673, or chat online
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Callisto Support for Survivors and Friends of Survivors
24/7 Crisis Hotline: Text "HOME" to 741741
Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Call 988
Medical
Health and Counseling Center: 574-284-4805
Memorial Hospital of South Bend (provides medical and/or forensic examinations 24/7): 574-647-1000
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center (SANE nurse available 24/7): 574-335-5000
Pastoral Care
Campus Ministry: 574-284-4805
How to Offer Support
Additional Resources
Saint Mary's Policy on Sex/Gender-Based Harassment, Discrimination and Misconduct against Students
Memorandum of Understanding (Saint Mary's College - University of Notre Dame - Holy Cross College)