Any that allege misconduct related to a protected class. Protected classes include: race, color, national origin, sex, disability status, religion, age, sexual orientation, and veterans status. Sexual discrimination includes allegations of sexual violence, as well as gender/gender identity-based discrimination, and pregnancy discrimination.

No, not necessarily. After you make a report, or after someone else makes a report on your behalf, you still have control over what happens. The Compliance Officer will reach out to schedule a conversation with you, at which point you will discuss your options moving forward. Sometimes there may be situations that pose a risk to the campus community, which will require the University to take further action. However, if that is not the case, you can choose whether to formalize a complaint and move forward with the grievance process or not.

James D.(JD) Smiser  is the University’s interim Institutional Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator. And that’s it! The Compliance Office is an office of one, so unless there is a conflict of interest, JD Smiser will serve as your primary point of contact with the office.

That really depends on your individual circumstances. Sometimes support will mean academic accommodations. Sometimes supportive services will mean changes to course schedules, institutional work schedules, or on-campus residence locations. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach – the Compliance Office will coordinate with you directly to determine the best way to preserve your access to the University.

The Compliance Officer can discuss your options with you, including the possibility of a change to your academic or campus work schedule, or mutual no contact directives between parties.

All University employees are considered mandatory reporters under the University’s Nondiscrimination Reporting and Resolution Policy. This status means that when an employee has information that would lead them to reasonably believe the policy has been violated, they must report it to the Institutional Compliance Office. This practice is not in place to violate anyone’s privacy, or to force anyone into a process that they do not want to participate in. This practice exists so that the Compliance Officer can appropriately inform reporting parties of their rights and resources.

No. It is possible to make a report to both law enforcement and the Title IX Coordinator, and the Coordinator can help direct reporting parties to the appropriate law enforcement personnel if they want to make a police report. But speaking to one group does not automatically mean the other will know.

No. You can submit the online form found at https://titleix.truman.edu/make-a-report/, or you can contact the Compliance Officer directly. Reports can be made in person at Violette Hall 1308, by email at titleix@truman.edu, or by phone at 660-785-4354. Due to the Compliance Officer’s schedule, submitting a report via email or the online reporting form are the most reliable ways to be sure the report will be received right away, but you are welcome to schedule an in-person conversation or a phone call at any time.

Yes. During one of your first conversations with the Compliance Officer, you will discuss the limitations of the reporting process if you choose to stay anonymous, so that you can make an informed decision on how to proceed.

No. Retaliation is strictly prohibited, and a reporting party cannot be punished, harassed, or intimidated simply for making a report.

The University’s amnesty policy allows the Compliance Officer broad discretion to protect reporting parties from punishment for minor violations, particularly those related to drug and alcohol use. The Compliance Office’s focus is your safety and wellbeing. Generally speaking, if you weren’t hurting or endangering someone else, you will not be punished for minor drug and alcohol use violations.

No, there isn’t a time limit on making a report. The University’s ability to respond may be limited in some cases depending on the age of the information and available evidence, but you are always welcome to make the report. And supportive services are available regardless of how much time has passed.

You can still make the report. All reporting parties will be protected from retaliation for making a report. If your situation involves a conflict of interest with the Compliance Office, the University can appoint an alternative person to receive the report.

Reports are not limited to on-campus conduct. Depending on the specific circumstances of your report, you may be referred to another office, such as the Office of Citizenship and Community Standards.

Your rights will be preserved as the respondent in any matter referred to the Compliance Office. If someone files a formal complaint alleging that you have violated the University’s policies and procedures, you will receive written notice of the allegations, as well as written notice of your rights throughout the Grievance Procedure. You will have the opportunity to be joined by an advisor, who may or may not be an attorney, and you will have the right to have your advisor question the witnesses and other parties. This is a non-exhaustive list of the rights afforded to respondents, and a greater detailing of these rights and resources may be found in the University’s Nondiscrimination Reporting and Resolution Procedure.

Simply listening without judgment is a great place to start. Your friend may choose to bring you to their meetings with the Compliance Officer, or to schedule an appointment with a counselor. It is important to remember that everyone processes these situations differently, and that the type of support your friend needs may change from day to day.

Not if you don’t want them to. You may choose to share that information with your parents yourself, you could bring a parent with you to a meeting with the Compliance Officer as your advisor and support person, or you could waive your privacy rights and request that the information be shared with them. Otherwise, you are entitled to privacy regarding the details of any report.

Yes. You should know that there are limitations to the University’s options to respond to an anonymous report, and that some outcomes may not be possible if you choose to remain anonymous. You are always welcome to submit a report anonymously through the online reporting system at https://titleix.truman.edu/make-a-report/.

Conversations with personnel at the Student Health Center and University Counseling Services are confidential and will not be reported to the Compliance Office without your permission.

Absolutely. Whether you are filing a report/complaint or you have had one filed against you, you may bring a support person with you throughout the process. If you choose to file a complaint, you will need someone to serve as your Advisor. If you don’t have one, the University can appoint one for you, and will do so prior to any hearing. If a complaint is filed against you and you do not have an Advisor, the University will appoint one for you prior to any hearing.