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 
  •    St. Joseph County Police (violation occurs on campus);  
  •    City of South Bend Police Department  (violation occurs off SMC Campus, withi the City of South Bend);
  •    Notre Dame Police (violation occurs on the University of Notre Dame Campus)
If you need immediate support outside of business hours:

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
 
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

RAINN: The National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call or Text 1-800-656-4673, or chat online

Callisto Support for Survivors and Friends of Survivors

24/7 Crisis Hotline: Text "HOME" to 741741

Medical

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)

 

Report a Title IX Incident