Reporting Sexual Harassment: Know Your Options

The College encourages survivors of sexual violence to talk to somebody about what happened so they can get the support they need, and so the College can respond appropriately. There are multiple channels for reporting to the College, to law enforcement, or to both. Survivors may also decide they want to talk to someone confidentially first or during the time they are also making a report. This document is intended to raise awareness in our students of the various reporting and confidential disclosure options available so they can make informed choices about where to turn should they or someone they know become a victim of sexual violence.

Filing a formal complaint

If survivors would like to speak to someone about filing a formal complaint, interim safety measures, or alternate/informal resolutions, they may talk with someone from the Title IX team. Title IX team members can also help survivors identify and navigate other on- and off-campus supports, including the legal system. Title IX team member consultations are private, not confidential. Private resources share information with only those they are required by law or job function.

Reporting Form

Title IX Team On-Campus Support

• Zauyah Waite, Title IX coordinator, Vice President of student affairs, and dean of students, Merrill Student Life Center, 2nd floor, 413.559.5412, zwSA@hampshire.edu
• Patrick Rojas, deputy Title IX coordinator, assistant director of housing operations, Dakin Student Life Center, 2nd floor, 413.559.6689, plrSA@hampshire.edu
• Carolyn Strycharz, deputy Title IX coordinator, director of student affairs, student wellness and divisional projects, Merrill Student Life Center, 2nd floor, 413.559.5746, cstrycharz@hampshire.edu
• Amanda Surgen, deputy Title IX coordinator, associate director of outdoor programs, recreation and athletics, Robert Crown Center, 413.559.5754, aksOP@hampshire.edu
• Jake Toomey, deputy Title IX coordinator, HR director, 413.559.5605, jtHR@hampshire.edu

​Responsible Reporters

Some employees are required to report all the details of an incident (including the identities of both the survivor and alleged perpetrator) to a Title IX team member. A report to these employees (called “responsible employees”) will be used by the Title IX team to offer survivors support and explain the options available in regards to the grievance process. Survivors who report allegations, that could constitute covered sexual harassment under the Title IX policy, have the right to receive supportive measures from Hampshire College regardless of whether they desire to file a complaint. Supportive measures are non-disciplinary and non-punitive. Employees are required to report all the details of an incident (including the identities of both the survivor and alleged perpetrator) to a Title IX team member. A report to these employees (called "responsible employees") constitutes a report to the College and generally obligates the College to investigate the incident and take appropriate steps to address the situation. These responsible reporters will report the information you share with them to a member of the Title IX team, who will follow up with the survivor to determine next steps.

Responsible employees include:

• All Hampshire College staff and faculty (other than those designated below)
• Resident assistants, community facilitators, orientation leaders, teaching assistants, and student emergency medical technicians, while acting in their role as student employees.

Private, Non-Professional Counseling and Advocacy:

Other employees may talk to a survivor in confidence, and generally only report to the College that an incident occurred without revealing any personally identifying information. Disclosures to these employees will not initiate a College Title IX investigation into an incident against the survivor’s wishes. They must report anonymously for Clery Act purposes.

• Jenny Kurtz, director of prevention and education, Dakin Student Life Center, 1st floor, 413.559.5673, jkurtz@hampshire.edu
• Robert Gordon, associate senior director for community advocacy and restorative practices, Merrill Student Life Center, 1st floor, 413.559.5415, rmgSA@hampshire.edu

Privileged and Confidential:

Some employees are required to maintain near complete confidentiality; talking to them is sometimes called a "privileged communication." These are the confidential on- and off-campus resources that will not take action with the College on information that is reported.

Privileged and Confidential Counseling

• Hampshire College Counseling Services, 413.559.5458
• Center for Women and Community at the University of Massachusetts, multiple options for counseling available for all genders, 24/7 crisis hotline, 1.888.337.0800
• Safe Passage, 413.586.5066 / www.safepass.org, confidential 24/7 domestic violence hotline.

Confidential Medical Resources

• Hampshire College Health Services, 413.559.5458
• Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 24/7 sexual assault nurse exams (SANE) 30 Locust Street (Rt. 9), Northampton, MA 01061, 413.582.2000
• University of Massachusetts Health Services, sexual assault nurse exam (SANE) free of charge, speak to a triage nurse, 413.577.5000

Additional Campus Resources

Emergency Assistance

Finally, you are a campus resource.

Hampshire encourages all students to be active community members and take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent or stop an act of sexual misconduct. Here are some steps you can take to intervene at Hampshire:

• Call Campus Safety and Wellbeing at 413.559.5424 if you are concerned for someone's safety.
• If you hear someone acting or speaking in a manner that is offensive, demeaning, or abusive to a targeted person or group of people, let them know it makes you uncomfortable and ask them to stop.
• If you are aware that sexual misconduct has taken place, you may report the offense yourself and/or encourage the survivor to report the offense and seek support.

For more details and a full copy of Hampshire's Title IX Grievance Policy, please visit the Student Handbook.