Students’ Bill of Rights

All students have the right to:

make a report to local law enforcement and/or state police;
have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual assault treated seriously;
make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the complaint process and/or criminal justice process free from pressure by the institution;
participate in a process that is fair, impartial and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard;
be treated with dignity and to receive from the institution courteous, fair and respectful healthcare and counseling services, where available;
be free from any suggestion that the reporting individual was at fault when these crimes and violations were committed, or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations;
describe the incident to as few institution representatives as practicable and not be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident;
be protected from retaliation by the institution, any student, the responding party and/or their friends, family and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the institution;
access to at least one level of appeal of a determination;
be accompanied by an advisor of choice who may assist and advise a reporting individual or responding party throughout the complaint, investigation, hearing and appeal process including during all meetings and hearings related to such process; and
exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, judicial or conduct process of the institution

Rights of All Reporting Parties:

The right to request interim measures to ensure his or her safety during the complaint process.
The right to a prompt, thorough, fair and impartial investigation and appropriate resolution of all credible complaints of sexual misconduct.
The right to be treated with respect by SVA staff throughout the process.
The right to be notified of available counseling, mental and physical health services on and off campus.
The right to identify witnesses and to request that the Investigator contact those individuals as part of the investigation.
The right to have an advisor present in a support or advisory role during the complaint, investigation, hearing and appeal process.
The right to report the incident to off-campus authorities and/or law enforcement and to be assisted by SVA staff in doing so.
The right to know what provisions of this policy the responding party is charged with violating.
The right to be informed of the final determination and sanctions, if any, in writing to the extent permissible by law.
The right to privacy and the assurance that information regarding the complaint will be shared only with those necessary.
The right to receive timely notice of any meeting relating to the complaint process at which the both the reporting and responding party will be present.

Rights of the Responding Party

The right to a prompt, thorough, fair and impartial investigation and appropriate resolution of all credible complaints of sexual misconduct.
The right to be treated with respect by SVA staff throughout the process.
The right to a presumption of innocence before a determination is made.
The right to be notified of available counseling, mental and physical health services, on and off campus.
The right to identify witnesses and other parties, and to request that the Investigator contact those individuals as part of the investigation.
The right to have an advisor present in a support or advisory role during the complaint, investigation, hearing and appeal process.
The right to receive written notice of the policy provisions he or she is alleged to have violated.
The right to be notified of possible sanctions that may result if the responding party is found responsible for violating this policy.
The right to be informed of the final determination and any sanctions in writing.
The right to privacy and the assurance that information regarding the complaint will be shared only with those necessary.
The right to receive timely notice of any meeting relating to the process at which both the respondent and the reporting party will be present.

Sexual Misconduct Policy & Resources

Resources