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Rights and Options of Students Who Have Experienced Sexual Harassment or Violence

If you have experienced sexual harassment or violence, Principia cares and wants you to be aware of the rights and options available to you. These rights and options are summarized below. For a more complete statement see:

For a more complete statement see:

PRINCIPIA COLLEGE POLICY FOR RESOLVING REPORTS OF SEXUAL AND GENDER HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT 

If you have experienced sexual harassment or violence, you have the following rights and options:

  • To Report (or not report) to Law Enforcement or Principia’s Campus Security or both.

    • Law enforcement: 618-498-6881 or 911

    • Principia Security: Office 618-374-5470 or Gatehouse 618-374-5111

  • To Report (or not report) to Principia College, including to the Office of the Dean of Students.

    • Title IX Coordinator, Elise Crow, Office: 314-275-3548, extension 3575 on campus

    • Dean of Students:
      Erin Rainwater, School of Government Suite 156 - Office: 618-374-5162 or Cell: 802-233-2785

    • Any Resident Counselor, faculty, or other staff member
      (Note: that all faculty and staff – except for the Confidential Advisor – are considered mandatory reporters and are required by law to share details of your conversation with the Title IX Coordinator).

  • To speak with a Confidential Advisor who is not required to report incidents of sexual violence to law enforcement, Principia Security, the Title IX Coordinator, or the Administration. The Principia Confidential Advisor is not a counselor but is trained to provide support and guidance regarding resources and grievance processes for those who have experienced sexual harassment and violence. A Principia Confidential Advisor is subject only to narrow safety-related exceptions and will otherwise keep your report and information private and confidential. Principia’s Confidential Advisor is: Tiffiny Randolph (Rackham House RC), 314-503-7821 or Tiffiny.Randolph@Principia.edu.

  • To receive assistance in notifying law enforcement. Individuals who will help you report to law enforcement include:

  • To understand your privacy rights: 
    Once Principia receives a report of a possible Policy violation, confidentiality will be preserved unless there is a safety need that takes precedence. Any information shared will be with the knowledge of the Parties and limited to a need-to-know basis. Principia strongly encourages Parties in a grievance process to maintain confidentiality and to avoid publicly discussing their case during an investigation and while any hearings are being conducted.

  • To request interim protective measures and/or accommodations. The Dean of Students, the Title IX Coordinator, or other administrators can coordinate interim measures to immediately assist your well-being, including, but not limited to, changes to academic, living, dining, working, and transportation situations. You can request assistance in obtaining a no-contact directive and/or an order of protection in State court. If you feel your academics may be impacted by your experience, Principia may assist you with appropriate academic adjustments, including communications with your professors, coaches, and campus employers. 

  • To file an anonymous report online. The online submission form allows for, but does not require, identifying information of the reporter. The form can be found on Principia’s website at: https://prinweb.principia.edu/internal/report-assault. Note that Principia’s ability to investigate and provide support may be limited if the Parties are not identified. In deciding not to remain anonymous, know that: (1) Confidentiality for Title IX reports is strictly enforced. (2) Retaliation against reporters of sexual misconduct is prohibited and may be grounds for sanctions under Principia’s Policy.

  • To request and receive assistance accessing support services, including local health and mental health services, counseling, and advocacy services. A few options are listed below. Contact Elise Crow, Erin Rainwater, or Tiffiny Randolph for help locating additional services.

    • UWill Free Online Counseling Services for Principia Students: Students can register and book their first session here: (https://app.uwill.com/)

    • CALL FOR HELP, INC. Sexual Assault Crisis Center located in Alton provides confidential assistance and counseling. Advisors are available 24 hours/day at 618-462-0552.

    • A free Christian Science Practitioner may be found on campus at Cox Cottage. Additional practitioners (for a cost) may be found here at christianscience.com

  • To seek resolution through Principia’s Informal or Formal Grievance Processes. For more information, contact Title IX Coordinator Elise Crow at 314-275-3548 or elise.crow@principia.edu.
    Or see Principia’s Policy: (Found in Prin Web / Offices / Student Life / Title IX-Sexual Harassment)

  • If you request a formal resolution process and investigation and/or if Principia concludes an investigation is appropriate, the investigation will be conducted by an outside investigator in a prompt, thorough, fair, and impartial manner. It will consist of gathering and evaluating relevant information from the reporting and responding parties and any identified witnesses. During an investigation, the Reporting Party/survivor and the Responding Party will not be required to be in the same room. After an investigation, a trained Hearing Panel may meet with parties and witnesses to clarify reports and determine responsibility. The standard of proof used to determine whether the policy regarding sexual violence has been violated is a “preponderance of the evidence” standard (or whether it is “more likely than not that the policy was violated.”)

    • Any student found in violation of the sexual harassment and violence policy will be subject to appropriate discipline, ranging from education to a written reprimand to dismissal from Principia. Discipline imposed will depend on a variety of factors and may include academic, no-contact measures, or suspension.

    • Throughout the process, both the Reporting Party/survivor and the Responding Party have the right to receive notification of the charges, to identify witnesses and provide relevant information, to review and to comment on the results of the investigation within a specified time period, to receive a timely written determination, and to appeal the determination. In addition, Reporting Parties and Responding Parties may have a Support Person of their choice accompany them to any meeting or proceeding related to an alleged violation of Principia’s policy.

    • AMNESTY FOR VIOLATION OF THE PRINCIPIA CODE OF CONDUCT. Any violation of the Code of Conduct disclosed in good faith by a reporting party or witness will not result in sanctions. Fear of discipline due to violation of the Code of Conduct should not be an obstacle to students coming forward, reporting an assault, or getting support.

  • If you are an International Student who has withdrawn from classes after experiencing an incident of sexual violence, Principia will work to help mitigate the impact of a potential withdrawal on your Visa.