Guide to Mandatory University Reporting of Sexual Misconduct

Who needs to report?

Employees*
Student employees
Volunteers
Peer advocates

*unless designated as confidential

What must be reported?

All incidents of sexual discrimination involving the university community including:

Sexual misconduct
Sexual assault
Dating violence
Gender discrimination
Sexual harassment
Stalking
Domestic violence

Your obligations as a mandatory university reporter:

All university faculty, staff, student employees and volunteers have a duty to report incidents of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault involving members of the university community that they witness or which are disclosed to them. Because domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual misconduct can also constitute sex discrimination, information received by university employees about such incidents must also be reported. Student employees, peer advocates and volunteers who learn of a violation of UMaine’s Sex Discrimination Policy in the course of their employment, programming or volunteer responsibilities also are required to report.

Tips on letting students know you are a mandatory university reporter:

Discuss it on the first day of class

Let students know that disclosure in written assignments will require you to report

When meeting with a student privately always start with a disclosure, letting them know you cannot promise confidentiality. This is a good practice as it covers suicidal ideations, intent to harm others, sexual assault, etc.

For more information, contact:

Elizabeth Lavoie, Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Office of Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention
Address: 5748 Memorial Union, Room 315, Orono, ME 04469-5748
Phone: 207.581.1406
Email: elizabeth.lavoie@maine.edu

UMaine will not tolerate sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking or retaliation in any form.

What about confidentiality?

Employees who engage in communications that are expressly designated as confidential are not required to disclose the content of those communications under this policy. This includes counselors who learn of possible policy violations in the context of a counseling session and researchers to whom disclosures are made by research subjects in the course of IRB-approved research projects.

If a complainant discloses an incident but wishes to maintain confidentiality or requests that no investigation into an incident be conducted or disciplinary action taken, the incident must still be reported to the Title IX Coordinator. The university will weigh the complainant’s request for confidentially against its obligation to provide a safe, nondiscriminatory environment for all students and employees, including the complainant.

If the university honors the request for confidentiality, a complainant needs to understand that the university’s ability to meaningfully investigate the incident and pursue disciplinary action, if warranted, against the respondent(s) may be limited.There are times when the university may not be able to honor a complainant’s request because it would pose a risk to providing a safe, nondiscriminatory environment for all students and employees. If the university determines that it cannot maintain a complainant’s confidentiality, the university will inform the complainant prior to starting an investigation and, to the extent possible, will share information only with people responsible for handling the university’s response.

Reporting incidents

Who do I report incidents to?

Incidents involving students:

Incidents involving non-students (e.g. employees, volunteers, visitors and vendors):

Sarah Harebo, Title IX Coordinator
Address: 5754 North Stevens Hall, Room 101, Orono, ME 04469-5754
Phone: 207.581.1226
Email: sarah.harebo@maine.edu
Web: umaine.edu/eo

What information do you have to share?

Official university reporters must share any and all facts provided about an incident.

Name of person reporting an incident
Name of the person(s) involved
Witness name(s)
Date, time and location of the alleged incident
Other relevant information shared by the reporting party

How will the university respond?

Depending on the identity of the individuals involved, someone from the Office of Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention or Equal Opportunity will reach out to the complainant and provide them with support, services, options and information on their rights.

Resources for the person who disclosed an alleged incident:

Support Services

Emergencies:

UMaine Police, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Dial 911 from campus phone
Dial207.581.4040 from other Maine phones

On-call Dean:

Kenda Scheele: 207.299.7237

Peer Advocates:

University of Maine Division of Student Affairs

Andrea Gifford: 207.581.1406
John Lawler: 207.581.4801
Lauri Sidelko: 207.581.1423

Student Conduct Complaints:

UMaine Office of Community Standards, Rights and Responsibilities

David Fiacco: 207.581.1409

Deputy Title IX Coordinator:

Office of Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention

Elizabeth Lavoie:207.581.1406

On-Campus Confidential Resources

There are a number of services, both on- and off-campus, available for people seeking confidential support.

Counseling Center:

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Phone: 207.581.1392

You can arrange to speak with a counselor after hours by contacting UMaine Police at 207.581.4040 or dialing 911 from campus phones.

Cutler Health Center:

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone: 207.581.4000

Emergency care:

Ambulance service is available on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dial 207.581.4040 or 911.

After hours and weekend care:

Clinicians also are available after hours and on weekends.These services may be provided at EMMC Orono Family Medicine, located on Kelley Road in Orono or at walk-in care, located on Union Street in Bangor.

Transportation to off-campus appointments and the emergency room are offered by the university through a local taxi service at no cost to the person.

Call 207.581.4000 for more information.

Off-Campus Confidential Resources:

Sexual Assault:

Rape Response Services 24-hour hotline: 800.310.0000

Relationship AbuseNiolence:

Spruce Run 24-hour hotline: 800.863.9909

When should I contact the police?

To contact UMaine Police, call 207.581.4040 or 911.

If you witness an incident taking place
If you perceive an immediate danger
If the person reporting the alleged incident asks you to contact the police

For assistance in filing a police report contact the Office of Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention at 207.581.1406 or the Office of Equal Opportunity at 207.581.1226.

The University of Maine does not discriminate on the grounds of race. color. religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities.The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226.