What does it mean to be a mandatory reporter*?
All SUNY Oswego employees — including most student employees — who are not specifically designated as a confidential resource are mandatory reporters for allegations of sexual and interpersonal violence and/or sex discrimination. This includes but not limited to sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual dating violence, domestic violence and/or stalking. Regardless of when and where it occurred, if the reporting individual wants to pursue action or any other reason, you must report.
If you learn of a potential violation of these University policies, you are required to report the information you have learned to the Title IX Coordinator.
Reports can be made by email: [email protected]
Under the 2020 Title IX regulations, information related to sexual and interpersonal violence and/or discrimination that an employee may receive falls under the scope of mandatory reporting and therefore must be reported to the Title IX Coordinator. Faculty who teach subjects or give assignments where such disclosures might be more likely may want to add language to explain their reporting requirements to their syllabus** to ensure that students are aware of the potential for mandatory disclosure in advance.
Your response when you learn of allegations of sexual and interpersonal violence and/or discrimination is very important and may determine whether the person making the disclosure chooses to tell anyone else or seek professional assistance. Do not initiate your own investigation. Even with the best intentions, doing so may exacerbate a situation or compromise an investigation. You only need to report the information that is voluntarily conveyed to you and should not attempt to elicit more information.
When approached by an individual choosing to make a disclosure, be sure to:
- Be clear about your role, your responsibility to report the information shared and your ability to help.
- Do not promise confidentiality. You are a private resource, meaning you will send information to Title IX, but will not discuss outside of that report.
- Be prepared to offer information about where they can report confidentially: Review confidential resources. This does not change your responsibility to report.
- Notify the individual of the following using exactly these words to the extent possible. “You have the right to make a report to University Policy (UPD), local law enforcement, and/or state police or choose not to report, to report the incident directly to the institution by contacting the Title IX Coordinator, to be protected from retaliation for reporting an incident, and to receive assistance and resources from the University.”
- Advise them that advocacy services and other supportive resources are available.
- Listen, but do not ask questions, beyond inquiring about their safety. Examples of appropriate safety questions include: Do you feel safe? Do you want me to call an ambulance? Do you want me to call the police?
- You are only required to report what you have learned. For example, if you are told about a sexual assault but you don’t know when or where it happened, or who was involved, do not ask. Report what you were told, when you were told, who told you and any additional relevant information you have.
- Give them resources from Title IX. Don't have any? Requests can be sent to [email protected].
*Different laws use different terms. Most people on campus are mandated to report. Additionally, the terms “responsible employee” and sometimes “campus security authority” are interchangeable with mandated reporter.
**Title IX Syllabus Language: SUNY Oswego is committed to enhancing the safety and security of the campus for all its members. In support of this, faculty may be required to report their knowledge of certain crimes or harassment. Upon receipt of a report of harassment or discrimination based on sex, gender, pregnancy and/or related conditions, or familial status, all employees have a responsibility to report to the Title IX Coordinator. For more information about Title IX protections, go to https://ww1.oswego.edu/title-ix/ or contact the Title IX Coordinator, 407 Culkin Hall, 315-312-5604, [email protected], or schedule a meeting here: tinyurl.com/MeetWithLisaE. For more information about the Clery Act and campus reporting, go to the University Police annual report: https://www.oswego.edu/police/annual-report. (approved at Faculty Assembly, Fall 2024)
We are also available to answer any questions that you may have regarding your rights and responsibilities as a University employee. Please contact Lisa Evaneski for more information.