Policies and Procedures
Stetson University has policies and procedures in place regarding the receipt, investigation, and resolution of complaints of sex or gender-based discrimination. The university will initiate a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into allegations of sex or gender-based discrimination. This investigation is designed to provide a fair and reliable determination about whether the university's nondiscrimination and Title IX policies have been violated. If so, the university will implement a prompt and effective remedy to end the discrimination, prevent its recurrence and address its effects. The standard of proof in such disciplinary proceedings shall be that of the preponderance of the evidence, which is based upon whether it is more likely than not that a violation occurred.
In addition to the Gender-Based Misconduct, Sexual Assault, and Intimate Partner Violence Policy, other related policies and procedures are linked below for your convenience.
The Title IX policy at Stetson University is referred to as the Gender-Based Misconduct, Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence Policy. This policy contains a thorough description of the processes and procedures related to Title IX complaints and their resolution.
Stetson University is committed to inclusive excellence, at the core of which is a commitment to non-discrimination.
Stetson University is committed to the protection of non-enrolled student minors who access our programs and facilities. This policy addresses camps, conferences, events and any other situation where minors are involved in activities sponsored by Stetson.
Stetson University's prohibition of sex-based discrimination includes discrimination or harassment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, including recovery. Title IX also ensures the right to take medically necessary leave and to be free of harassment, intimidation, or other discrimination because of pregnancy-related conditions.
Pregnant and parenting students who experience harassment or discrimination may contact the Title IX Coordinator may work in conjunction with the Accessibility Services Centers to provide reasonable accommodations.
The Pregnant Scholar is a great resource and reference site with information about how Title IX applies to pregnant and parenting students.
For students on the DeLand campus, student conduct proceedings are administered by the Office of Community Standard. There are times when a Title IX investigation and hearing will consider both violations of the Gender-Based Misconduct, Sexual Assault, and Intimate Partner Violence Policy, as well as the Code of Community Standards. However, the processes may be separate and occur either prior or following one another. Please note that there may be instances where a definition is more restrictive in the Gender-Based Misconduct policy due to legal constraints than in the Code of Community Standards.
For students at the College of Law, student conduct proceedings are administered by the Student Life Office. There are times when a Title IX investigation and hearing will consider both violations of the Gender-Based Misconduct, Sexual Assault, and Intimate Partner Violence Policy, as well as the Code of Student Professionalism and Conduct. However, the processes may be separate and occur either prior or following one another. Please note that there may be instances where a definition is more restrictive in the Gender-Based Misconduct policy due to legal constraints than in the Code of Student Professionalism and Conduct.
A consensual relationship is one in which two people are engaged by mutual consent in an emotionally (romantic) and physically (sexually) intimate relationship. When such a relationship involves people who differ in power within the University community, it is of special concern because of the potential for conflict of interest and/or abuse of power. Stetson University prohibits consensual relationships between a faculty or staff member and any student enrolled at the University.
All registered sex offenders are required to self-report their status upon employment or enrollment or attempting to access any program at Stetson University. If designated as a registered sex offender after employment or enrollment, the self-reporting must occur within 72 hours of the designation. Failure to self-report may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or enrollment in any program or activity.
Stetson University will make every effort reasonably possible to preserve an individual's privacy and protect the confidentiality of information. If a complainant does not wish to pursue a formal complaint and/or requests that their complaint remain confidential, the complainant will be informed that the university's ability to respond may be limited, and that the university may elect to initiate institutional action, response and/or grievance based on the information provided by the complainant/report. The following factors will be considered when assessing the complainant's request for confidentiality: the severity of the alleged sexual harassment or sexual violence; whether there have been other complaints of gender-based or sexual misconduct against the same respondent; and the respondent's right to receive information about the allegations if the information is maintained by the university as an “education record” under FERPA. Respondents are afforded certain rights within the grievance process; honoring such rights may require disclosure of the complainant's identity.
Title IX Coordinator will be responsible for evaluating requests for confidentiality based on the criteria above. The complainant will be informed by the Title IX Coordinator if the university cannot ensure confidentiality, and the respondent shall be made aware when an institutional decision to pursue an alleged policy violation against the wishes of the complainant is made. Granting a request for confidentiality will not prevent Stetson University from conducting an appropriate inquiry and taking other reasonably necessary measures to protect the complainant and/or the campus community.
For convenience, we have made available a graphic flow chart of the Title IX process for students. Please note that the full and official process can only be found in the Gender-Based Misconduct, Sexual Assault, and Intimate Partner Violence Policy.
The Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator oversees the implementation of Stetson University's policy on equal opportunity, harassment, and nondiscrimination, related to the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator manages the Title IX team and acts with independence and authority, free of conflicts of interest. To raise any concern involving a conflict of interest by the Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator contact the Vice President of Campus Life and Student Success, at 386-822-7730. To raise concerns regarding a potential conflict of interest with any other administrator involved in the Title IX process, please contact the Executive Director and Title IX Coordinator.