While compliance with the law is everyone's responsibility, oversight of SUNY Morrisville's compliance with Title IX is the responsibility of the Title IX Coordinator. Questions or concerns regarding Title IX should be directed to Brian Williams, SUNY Morrisville's Title IX Coordinator, or the individuals listed below.
Brian Williams
315.684.6997
Helyar Hall
[email protected]
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” These protections are not just for students; faculty and staff also are covered by the protections of Title IX.
VAWA – Violence Against Women Act is a federal law first passed in 1994 most recently reauthorized in 2013. It outlines procedures for handling, investigating reports and has educational requirements for campuses.
The types of activities that invoke Title IX protections include sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Prior to the May 19th, 2020 Title IX Final Rule, gender discrimination was covered by Title IX. With the Final Rule, gender discrimination and discrimination based on sexual identity is addressed through either SUNY Morrisville’s Bias Response Process, or SUNY’s Discrimination Complaint Procedure for Non-Title IX Discrimination procedure.
If a person has experienced any of the behaviors described, the following resources are available:
- For medical attention, students can go to the Matthias Student Health Center, contact the Center at 315.684.6078, or call University Police at 315.684.6410 or 911.
- For immediate concern regarding physical safety, contact University Police at 315.684.6410 or 911.
- For confidential resources and services, contact Counseling Services in the Matthias Student Health Center at 315.684.6078.
Additionally, those who have experienced behavior noted above have the right to:
- Have disclosures of sexual violence treated seriously.
- Maintain their anonymity and file a complaint/grievance with the Title IX Coordinator, and participate in the student conduct or legal process.
- Be treated with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and receive respectful health care and counseling services.
- Be free from any suggestion that the complainant is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed.
- Describe the incident to as few individuals as practicable and not to be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident.
- Be free from retaliation by the College, the respondent, and/or their friends, family and acquaintances.
- Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the Title IX investigative, criminal justice, or conduct process of the College.
Options in Brief
Complainants/respondents have many options that can be pursued simultaneously, including one or more of the following:
- Should the alleged misconduct fall within the jurisdiction of Title IX, the only disciplinary process available through Morrisville will be the Title IX Formal Grievance Process. Complainants may not elect to use a different process for student respondents.
- SUNY’s Disciplinary Complaint Procedure will be utilized for employee respondents, or in cases where the alleged discrimination and/or harassment falls outside of Title IX’s jurisdiction. The Title IX Coordinator will provide guidance to student and employee complainants throughout the process.
- SUNY Morrisville University Police can assist complainants/respondents in filing criminal charges with local criminal courts.
- SUNY Morrisville University Police can provide guidance on how to obtain a restraining order/no contact order and will assist with the enforcing the order.
- SUNY Morrisville University Police Department: 1st Floor Brooks Hall, 315.684.6410 or 911
- When the complaint involves a College employee, SUNY’s Discrimination Procedure for Non-Title IX Discrimination, including Title IX sex-based harassment involving employee respondents, will be used. In such cases, students should report the issue to the Title IX Coordinator, who will conduct the process in conjunction with HR.
- To file a report of discrimination and harassment, and/or talk to the Title IX Coordinator for information and assistance. Reports of discrimination and harassment will be investigated in accordance with the SUNY Morrisville policy. For additional information please contact:
- The Title IX coordinator for SUNY Morrisville is Brian Williams, who can be reached at 315.684.6997 or via email at [email protected].
- To have any formal complaint investigated in a prompt, impartial and thorough manner.
- To pursue more than one of the above options at the same time, or to choose not to participate in any of the above options. Please note that if a criminal complaint is filed, SUNY Morrisville may delay its investigation while the law enforcement agency is gathering evidence.
- Students may elect to file a report, then not participate in the entire process, or chose the sections in which they would like to participate.
- The Title IX Coordinator may file a Formal Complaint on behalf of the Complainant, dependent upon the severity of the alleged misconduct, when the complainant is unwilling to file a complaint. In such cases, the complainant will be notified prior to the Notice of Allegations, and the Complainant may elect to participate in the process at a later time.
- To maintain privacy regarding the incident and any disciplinary proceedings and/or discrimination complaints. Campus officials will only provide information as necessary to proceed with a hearing or complaint investigation.
- To choose to speak, or not to speak, about the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.
- To obtain a change in academic or housing arrangements in order to avoid remaining in a hostile environment, the Title IX Coordinator can provide recommendations for supportive measures, including no contact orders, schedule changes, housing changes, and more.
- To obtain counseling, health and support services, and other resources:
- Counseling Services, Matthias Student Health Center, 315.684.6078. Counselors are a confidential resource.
- Liberty Resources, Enough is Enough Advocate, Jensen Parisi, [email protected].
- 24/7 Toll Free Hotline: 1.855.966.9723
- Hamilton Hospital, Oneida Healthcare and Upstate Medical Center have Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) available.
For information about how to file a complaint/grievance, contact the Title IX coordinator for SUNY Morrisville is Brian Williams, who can be reached at 315.684.6997 or via email at [email protected].