Sexual Respect and Title IX | Roosevelt University

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal law expressed via Roosevelt University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and was created to protect the entire university community from any discrimination based on gender or sex. The laws and university policy applied to individuals participating or seeking to participate in the educational program or activity. In Roosevelt's Sexual Misconduct Policy, sexual misconduct is defined to include, but is not limited to, the following:

Sexual harassment (which includes: verbal sexual harassment, non-verbal sexual harassment, physical sexual harassment, quid pro quo sexual harassment, hostile work or learning environment sexual harassment; see policy for definitions)
Sexual assault
Sexual exploitation
Stalking
Domestic violence
Dating/Relationship violence

Any act of sexual misconduct that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive is a violation of, Sexual Misconduct Policy. Other behavior that does not rise to the level of severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive may be a violation of the University Student Code of Conduct or Anti-Harassment Policy. The Office of Title IX Compliance is responsible for investigating all reports of sexual misconduct where a faculty, staff or a student is involved. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for receiving all reports and ensuring the incident(s) are investigated. When sexual misconduct of any kind occurs, the Title IX outcome will focus accountability, prevention of future occurrences, and on providing accommodations for the individual(s) affected by the offense, such as:

Assistance with housing or academic needs
Establishing safety measures to protect the individual
Establishing safety measures to protect other affected community members

This policy applies to sexual misconduct:

On or within buildings owned or substantially controlled by the University
At University-sponsored activities
Within the United States
That takes place online via social media and any other technological mechanisms
That has an adverse impact on the education or employment of a member of the University community
Otherwise threatens the health and/or safety of a member of the University community

Title IX Staff

Title IX Coordinator- The Title IX Coordinator reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs and oversees the entire Title IX function of University which includes the education and training component, as well as the University’s centralized review, investigation, and resolution process for reports of sexual misconduct and the University’s compliance with Title IX. The Title IX Coordinator will appoint deputy coordinators and investigators who are trained in state and federal laws that apply to matters of sexual discrimination, as well as University policy and procedure. In all matters related to Title IX, it is the role of the Title IX Coordinator to facilitate the decision-making of the University.

Michael Pfeifer
312-341-2045
mpfeifer@roosevelt.edu
TitleIX@roosevelt.edu

Deputy Coordinator- “Deputy Title IX Coordinator” serves as the investigator for sexual harassment reports that involve an employee of Roosevelt University. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator will investigate and submit an investigation report to the Title IX Adjudicator assigned to the case.

Charity Seaborn
312-341-2098
cseaborn@roosevelt.edu

Confidential Advisor - A person affiliated with the university but reserves the privilege to keep confidential any emergency and ongoing support they provide to Roosevelt University students, staff, and faculty who are survivors of sexual violence. The Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act grants confidential advisors the right to provide confidential services to and have privileged, confidential communications with survivors. Thus, the advisor is not a “responsible employee” who would be otherwise obligated to report the sexual violence. Annually, Confidential Advisors receive a minimum of 40 hours of training. They assist survivors by providing reporting options and possible outcomes, sharing resources and services, informing survivors of their rights as well as the University’s responsibilities regarding orders of protection and no contact orders, and helping the survivor understand the sexual misconduct investigatory process. The Confidential Advisor is able to liaise with campus officials, community-based sexual assault crisis centers, and local law enforcement, as well as assist with securing interim protective measures and accommodations for the survivor. Services provided by a confidential advisor must be initiated by the survivor by contacting an advisor at the phone numbers provided below.

Jaqueline Butzen
312-244-0577
jbutzen@roosevelt.edu

“Title IX Investigator” is responsible for facilitating the investigatory process when a potential act of sexual harassment has taken place. The investigator seeks, analyzes, and interprets all evidence. Additionally, the investigator meets with and interviews witnesses, parties to the complaint, and other entities with knowledge concerning the case. Resultantly, the investigator will submit an investigation report to the Title IX Adjudicator.

“Title IX Adjudicator” is responsible for conducting a live hearing in which each party has the opportunity to cross examine the opposing party. Additionally, the Title IX Adjudicator is responsible for providing a written determination of an individual’s responsibility on the basis of the University 's standard of proof. The Title IX Adjudicator will make this determination after review of the information gathered in the investigation and hearing.

“Title IX Advisor” is an advisor who assists the complainant or respondent during investigations and live hearings, in which the advisor will ask and answer questions presented during the cross examination. Title IX Advisor’s are available for either party, reporting or responding, if that party is unable to secure an advisor on their own.

The following staff will serve in roles as an investigator, adjudicator, or advisor; staff will not serve in multiple roles for a particular case.

Hilda Rojas-Duarte
Michael Pfiefer
Emily Avelo
Ashley Miltenberger
Meagan Jarmuz

How to Report a Title IX Incident

To report an incident involving sexual misconduct, any member of the Roosevelt community may contact the University Title IX Coordinator via the communication mechanisms below. RU offers reporters (regardless of being a bystander, third party, or direct party to the issue) opportunity to report electronically, anonymously, and privately. People working in these offices will assist any reporter with notifying local police if they so desire.

Office of Title IX Compliance

Additionally, community members can also contact University Campus Safety or local police.

Campus Safety

Chicago Campus: (312) 341-2020
Gage Building: (312) 281-3111
Schaumburg Campus: (847) 619-8989

Chicago Police

At the Chicago Campus, the Chicago Police Department may also be reached directly by calling 911, or in person at the 1st. District-Central Station, 1718 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60616. Additional information about the Chicago Police Department may be found online at: www.chicagopolice.org.
At the Schaumburg Campus, the Schaumburg Police Department may be reached directly by calling 911, or in person at 1000 W. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60194. Additional information about the Schaumburg Police Department may be found online at: www.ci.schaumburg.il.us

What to do if you are a victim of sexual assault

After an incident of sexual misconduct or relationship violence, the victim should consider seeking medical attention as soon as possible at Northwestern Memorial hospital, 251 E Huron, Chicago, IL 60601 (for the Chicago Campus) or Alexian Bros. Medical Center, 800 Biesterfield Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (for the Schaumburg Campus).
In order to preserve evidence for the police, a person who experiences a sexual assault should not bathe, douche, smoke, change clothing, or clean the bed/linen/area where the assault took place. Evidence can be collected in 96 hours (or four days) after an offense occurs. In Illinois, forensic evidence may still be collected even if the individual chooses not to make a police report. However, a person does need to provide their name to the health care provider. If the victim chooses not to file a police report within two weeks, evidence collected will be destroyed by the collecting institution. In circumstances of sexual assault, if individual(s) do not opt for forensic evidence collection, health care providers can still treat injuries and take steps to address concerns of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections. These services are provide free of charge, under the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act in the State of Illinois (https://icasa.org/legal-issues/saseta-information-and-resources)
Individuals who have experienced sexual misconduct are encouraged to also preserve evidence by saving text messages, instant messages, social networking pages, or other communications, and keeping pictures, logs, or other copies of documents that would useful to University investigators or police. Although the University strongly encourages all members of its community to report violations of this policy to law enforcement, it is the individual’s choice whether or not to make such a report and individual(s) have the right to decline involvement with the police. The University will respect and support the decision of the reporting party.
Roosevelt University complies with Illinois law in recognizing orders of protection and no contact orders (Domestic Violence Order of Protection, Sexual Assault Civil No Contact Order, and Stalking No Contact Order). Any person who obtains an order of protection from Illinois or any state should provide a copy to Campus Safety and the Office of Title IX Compliance. A reporting party may then meet with Campus Safety to develop a Safety Action Plan, which is a plan for campus safety and the victim to reduce risk of harm while on campus or coming and going from campus. This plan may include, but is not limited to: escorts, special parking arrangements (Schaumburg Campus), changing classroom locations or allowing a student to complete assignments from home, etc. Orders of protection and no contact orders may be obtained by contacting the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk at 312-325-9468, Monday through Friday, during normal business hours, 8:30am-4:30pm.
To the extent of the reporting and responding parties cooperation and consent, university offices, including the Office of Title IX Compliance, The Dean of Students Office, Office of Residence Life, and Campus Safety will cooperate to ensure that the reporting and responding party’s health, physical safety, work and academic status are protected, pending the outcome of a formal university investigation of the complaint. For example, if reasonably available, a reporting party may be offered changes to academic, living or working situations in addition to counseling, health services and assistance in notifying local law enforcement. The Dean of Students Office, Residence Life, Human Resources and Campus Safety work together to provide accommodations.
Additionally, personal identifiable information about parties involved will be treated as confidential and only shared with persons with specific need to know who are investigating/adjudicating the complaint or delivering resources or support services. The University does not publish the name of crime victims nor hour identifiable information regarding survivors in the Campus Safety Department’s Daily Crime Log. People who do not want “directory information” to be disclosed must notify the Office of the Registrar by completing a request to Withhold Directory Information form.

Resources for Involved Parties of Sexual Misconduct

All parties involved with instances of sexual misconduct have access to resources on and off campus. The Party Rights and Resources for Responding to Sexual Misconduct document is a comprehensive list of campus offices and community organizations available to assist in navigating various capacities of one’s life including but not limited to medical attention, legal assistance, and financial services.

Sexual Respect Committee

Roosevelt University takes Title IX very seriously. A team of incredibly smart and dedicated faculty, staff, and students has been assembled to conduct a deep-dive analysis of the University’s current policies, procedures, and educational programming centered around Sexual Respect and Title IX. It is not enough for Roosevelt University to simply be in compliance with state and federal regulations; but we strive to make certain that our culture and policies demonstrate our social justice mission and is in compliance with all regulations that govern interpersonal conduct on campus. If you are interested in joining the Sexual Respect Committee please email titleix@roosevelt.edu.

Training Document

In accordance with 34 CFR 106, RU will post all training documents on this website. The training documents will be links to the slide decks used for a specific training; these links will be named with the title of the training, the group trained, and date of training. For example, Responsible Employee Training for Student Employees, 01.01.2020.

Title IX training document

Husch Blackwell - Final Title IX Regulations

Title IX for Student Presentation

Title IX for Faculty/Staff Presentation

Roosevelt University Title IX Policy Changes Summary-Summer 2020

	Previous Policy	New Policy – Compliant with New Regulation
Definition of Sexual Harassment	“conduct on the basis of sex” that is so severe or pervasive	“conduct on the basis of sex” that is determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive
Scope of Title IX	The university responded to reports of sexual misconduct that occurred on or off campus, and abroad. The reporting party could be a student, faculty, or staff member, OR an external community member.	Schools must respond when sexual harassment occurs in the school’s education program or activity, against a person in the United States. Education program or activity includes locations, events, or circumstances over which the school exercised substantial control over both the respondent and the context in which the sexual harassment occurs, and also includes any building owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by a postsecondary institution.
Definition of Report	Any person could trigger the investigatory process by submitting a report. An investigation could be triggered even though the alleged victim requested to remain anonymous.	Roosevelt’s formal obligation to investigate a report of sexual harassment under this grievance procedure is triggered by the filing of a “formal complaint”. A formal complaint is a physical or electronic document signed by an alleged victim of sexual harassment or the TIX Coordinator specifically requesting an investigation.
Definition of Formal Complaint	Any report received alleging misconduct would be investigated to determine if a violation occurred, regardless if submitted by the alleged victim.	The new policy requires the submission of a formal complaint, by the alleged victim (or Title IX Coordinator), non-anonymously, for an investigation to ensue. A formal complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, or by electronic mail.
Investigator Model	The former policy was a single investigator model; one person conducted the investigation and made a recommendation to the Title IX Coordinator.	The new policy requires the Title IX Coordinator to manage the reports and supportive measures; requires a separate individual to be the investigator; requires a separate individual (from the investigator and coordinator) to be the decision maker (Adjudicator); requires the institution to provide advisors when either party does not have one; requires an appellate officer. Therefore, there are possibly five individuals involved in a case.
Hearing Structure	The former policy allowed for one person, the Title IX Coordinator or Investigator, to make the determination based on a separate hearing (one on one with the investigator) with both parties.	The new law requires the university to conduct a live hearing in which both parties must be present; this may occur using technology to prevent both parties from being in the same room. This live hearing grants each party the opportunity to present witnesses and other evidence to the Title IX Adjudicator. Each party is represented by their Advisor, who will conduct cross examination of the opposing party’s witnesses and other evidence. The hearing must be recorded, and the recording and transcripts must be made available to both parties.
Supportive Measures	Supportive measures, formerly interim measures, were offered to both parties without restrictive guidelines.	Supportive measures may only be offered if a formal complaint is submitted. Supportive measures must be offered equitably to both parties and may not cause an undue burden to the opposing party. Interim removal of a student on an emergency basis is allowed provided that an individualized safety and risk analysis, determines that an immediate threat to the physical health or safety of any student or other individual arising from the allegations of sexual harassment justifies removal, and provides the respondent with notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision immediately after the removal.
Title IX Staff	Title IX Required Staff Title IX Coordinator Confidential Advisor Appellate Officer	Title IX Required Staff Title IX Coordinator Title IX Investigator Title IX Adjudicator Title IX Advisor Confidential Advisor Appellate Officer
Investigation Timeframe	The former policy allotted 90 days for the investigation to take place; the hearing and appellate review were not constrained by a number of days.	The new policy defines university business days as days in which the institution is open and fully operating, barring act of god incidents, university holidays, and other unforeseen closures. The investigation is allotted 90 university business days; the hearing is allotted 45 university business days; the appellate review is allotted 45 university business days.
Party Advisor	Both parties were granted the right to have an advisor to be of support to them throughout the process; advisors were not engaged by the investigator or title IX coordinator	Both parties must have an advisor to conduct the cross examination during the live hearing. If a party does not have an advisor, the university must provide one free of charge.
Witnesses/Party Statements	Witnesses were given the opportunity to provide statements for either party involved in the case, and if relevant, it would be used in the determination analysis	Witnesses’ or parties’ statements will not be considered in the determination analysis if that individual chooses not to participate in cross examination
Appeal Process	Either party could appeal the outcome of an investigation. The appeal would be granted if one of the following were met: Sanctions were disproportionate to the violation The policy as written was not followed New evidence is available at the time of the appeal that was not available during the investigation that may change the outcome	The new regulations require appeal criteria to include: Procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the case. The appealing party must demonstrate that the irregularity was more than a harmless error but was in fact a prejudicial error; New evidence has become available, that was not available at the time of the formal TIX hearing, and could have had an effect on the outcome of the case; Conflict of interest or bias by the university TIX staff affected the outcome; Sanctions were disproportionate to the violation. Additionally, the non-appealing party must be notified of the appeal and allowed to submit a written statement in response.