Southern Arkansas University Tech Policy on Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking
It is the policy of Southern Arkansas University Tech to prohibit Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking of its students, faculty, and staff and to make every effort to eliminate these offenses in the College. College policy prohibits Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, dating Violence and Stalking between or among students, faculty, staff, and others visiting or conducting official business on campus, and in all areas of the College’s work and educational environments. Those who engage in these offenses may be subjected to legal consequences, including civil and criminal penalties and monetary damages.
Sexual assault and sexual assault with an Object is an offense that meets the definition of rape, fondling, incest, or statutory rape.
The use of an object or instrument to unlawfully penetrate, however slightly, the genital or anal opening of the body of another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her youth or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.
Domestic violence means a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim; a person with whom the victim shares a child in common; a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner; a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies under the Violence Against Women Act; or any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.
Dating violence means violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim, and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: 1) The length of the relationship. 2) The type of relationship. 3) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
Stalking means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.
The College has designated Courtney Haygood as its Title IX Coordinator, with overall responsibility for oversight of the College’s compliance with its obligations under Title IX, including but not limited to its obligations to investigate and respond to allegations of Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking. For allegations against faculty, staff or other persons (other than students), the Title IX Coordinator coordinates with SAUTPD to ensure that allegations reported to College officials are investigated and that confirmed allegations are addressed through College personnel processes, as appropriate.