Reporting OptionsTitle IX

Gustavus Adolphus College is commited to a safe, respectful and healthy environment. Members of Gustavus Adolphus College (“Gustavus” or the “College”) community, guests and visitors have the right to be free from all forms of Sex Discrimination. All members of the campus community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. The College will not tolerate any violation of this Policy.

Regardless of whether any legal time limits have run, the College does not impose a time limit for reporting an incident of sex discrimination. However, individuals are strongly encouraged to report the incident as soon as possible in order to maximize the College’s ability to respond promptly and effectively. The College does not impose a statute of limitations for reporting and will investigate and adjudicate allegations against any individual who is a member of the community at the time of the report. Individuals who experience sex discrimination are encouraged to report the incident to law enforcement. The reporting of a violation of this policy is independent of any criminal investigation or proceeding, and the College may not wait for the conclusion of any criminal proceedings to commence its own investigation and take interim measures to protect the College community. 

Confidential

A student who desires that details of an incident be kept confidential should speak with any
of the following individuals:

  • Advocates with the Gustavus Sexual Assault Response Team (SART/CADA), 507-933-6868*
  • Counselors with the Gustavus Counseling Center, 507-933-7027
  • Health professionals with the Gustavus Health Service, 507-933-7630*
  • Campus Chaplains, 507-933-7446
  • Off-campus rape crisis resources who can maintain confidentiality, 800-630-1425

 *These employees do not have a responsibility to report identifying information, but do contribute to College statistical reporting requirements.

Counselors from the Gustavus Counseling Center are available to students free of charge, and can be seen on an emergency basis during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m.). SART/CADA representatives are available during normal business hours and after hours by calling 507-933-6868.

Sexual Assault Response Team

The College’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) includes faculty and staff who provide confidential support 24 hours a day to survivors of sex discrimination. A SART/CADA member can talk with the survivor about available options for support and safety. NOTE: SART/CADA offers support and help in whatever course of action you choose and WILL NOT act on anything unless you request it. SART/CADA can be reached by calling 507-933-6868.

SART will review:

  • Talking confidentially with a campus counselor
  • Obtaining medical care from Health Service or at an external clinic
  • Requesting a Campus No Contact Order
  • Reporting the incident to the College for investigation
  • Going to the hospital for a forensic exam (for evidence gathering)
  • Receiving assistance for academics, housing/living situation and transportation
  • Discussing topics related to personal safety
  • Reporting the incident to the police for investigation or to obtain an Order for Protection or Harassment Restraining Order

Making a Formal Report

An individual who wishes that a complaint or concern regarding sex discrimination be investigated by the College should make a direct report by contacting the Title IX Coordinator by phone at 507-933-6360 or via email titleix@gustavus.edu

Gustavus Adolphus College takes all reports seriously. Reports can be made by telephone, via email, via mail, online form or in person. Reports may be made at any time, including non-business hours by phone, email, mail, or the College’s website.

Reports to the College should include as much information as possible, including the names of the complainant, the respondent, and any other involved individuals, and the date, time, place, and circumstances of the incident, to enable the College to respond appropriately. 

When the College receives a report of sex discrimination, the Title IX Coordinator will promptly contact the complainant to discuss the availability of supportive measures with or without the filing of a formal complaint and to explain the process of filing a formal complaint. When a student or employee reports to the College that they have been a victim of sex discrimination, whether the offense occurred on or off campus, the College will provide the student or employee with a written explanation of the student’s or employee’s rights and options and procedures victims should follow.

All Gustavus Adolphus College employees who are not confidential resources, who obtain or receive information regarding possible sex discrimination must report that information to the Title IX Coordinator. This includes:

  • Incidents personally observed;
  • Incidents that are reported to the employee; and
  • Incidents of which the employee otherwise becomes aware

College employees who are not confidential resources and receive a report of sex discrimination should bring the report directly to the Title IX Coordinator and should not share information about the report with any other individual. If the employee is uncertain whether the information should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator, the employee should seek guidance from the Title IX Coordinator before providing the Title IX Coordinator with any identifiable information regarding the report.

The College will accept anonymous reports of conduct alleged to violate this policy. The individual making the report is encouraged to provide as much detailed information as possible to allow the College to investigate and respond as appropriate. The reporter should recognize that the College may be limited in its ability to investigate an anonymous report. Mandated reporters cannot remain anonymous when filing a report nor can they protect the identity of their source/victim. The Title IX Coordinator will receive all anonymous reports and meet with the Title IX team to determine the best way to respond.

When certain crimes, as defined by the Clery Act, are reported on campus, Campus Safety will issue a timely warning (Crime Alert) to the campus. The criteria for the issuance of timely warnings would include crimes that are considered to represent a serious and/or continuing threat to the community.

Individuals also have the right to file a formal complaint with the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 500 West Madison St., Suite 1475 Chicago, IL 60661-4544; 312-730-1560; OCR.Chicago@ed.gov. Individuals should consult with the Office for Civil Rights as to any time limits that may apply to file a formal complaint

Off-campus Sources

Reporting the Incident to the Police

The College strongly encourages and supports a student’s right to go to police, and College staff will assist the student in making contact with the police. The option to report to off-campus law enforcement is ALWAYS an option regardless of other actions or investigations taking place. A student may speak with a SART/CADA member who can provide support and information regarding contacting off-campus law enforcement or students should feel free to contact the St. Peter Police directly at 507-931-1550 or 911 in the case of an emergency.

Local, State and Federal Agencies

Sexual Assault Victim’s Rights

A survivor has the right to obtain assistance from the Crime Victims Reparations Board and the Office of Crime Victims Ombudsman:

1821 University Avenue North
N465 Griggs-Midway Building
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: 1-800-247-0390.

Questions or concerns may also be directed to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights: 

The Office of Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Citigroup Center
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544

Telephone: (312) 730-1560
TDD: (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR.chicago@ed.gov
http://www.ed.gov/ocr