University of Maryland Global Campus's Sexual Misconduct Policy is available online in full. All reports of sexual misconduct are taken seriously. Anyone who has been a victim of sexual misconduct has certain rights under federal law, state law and UMGC policy.
Notice of Rights and Resources for Victims Who Report Sexual Misconduct
You have the right to choose what course of action you want to take.
There are several options that are available to individuals who have experienced sexual misconduct. These options are outlined for you in greater detail on this page. What you decide to do is up to you. You should not feel pressured to choose to do something you do not want to do. Also, you should not feel pressured to make a decision about everything right away. However, you should note that in certain circumstances, delaying a decision may impact other areas (e.g. the ability to gather evidence during a medical examination or an investigation). UMGC is here to support you with whatever decision you decide to make.
You have the right to talk to UMGC's Confidential Employee or to contact confidential resources outside of UMGC.
Please see Appendix A for a list of external confidential resources. The UMGC Confidential Employee or an external confidential resource will not disclose any information you share with them unless there is a direct threat to the health or safety of yourself or others.
Contact Confidential Employee
Blair Hayes
E-mail: ombudsman@umgc.edu
Phone: 800-888-8682, ext. 17910
You have the right to seek a medical examination and treatment.
Individuals are encouraged to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you do not believe you have any injuries. Seeking medical treatment will also provide an opportunity to discuss any risks of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy with a health care provider. If you need assistance to determine a local medical facility that can assist you, you can call 911 in an emergency. Otherwise, you can contact the Title IX Coordinator. If you believe you may want to pursue criminal charges at some point, you are encouraged to go to a local medical facility that provides a free Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE). Appendix B provides a list of designated hospitals near UMGC's Maryland locations that can perform the SAFE exam. If the sexual assault occurred somewhere other than a UMGC Maryland location, the Title IX Coordinator can assist you in identifying the closest hospital that can perform the SAFE exam.
You have the right to report the incident to law enforcement to pursue criminal charges.
You may report the incident to your local police department. If you are considering pursuing criminal charges, it is important to preserve any evidence of the incident, particularly for incidents of sexual assault.
You have the right to a prompt, fair, and thorough university investigation of your complaint.
The preliminary measures, investigation, and adjudicatory process, not including the appeal, are expected to take place within 60 calendar days from the time the report is brought to UMGC's attention. UMGC may extend the 60-day timeframe for good cause. In those instances, UMGC will notify the complainant and respondent in writing of the delay and the reason for such delay. An appeal of the results must be submitted within 10 days of the date on the written notification.
You have the right to request that your name not be disclosed to the respondent or that the university refrain from investigating or taking any action.
Your request will be evaluated by the Title IX Coordinator, who will make every effort to honor your request. However, honoring such a request may limit UMGC's ability to fully respond to the incident or to pursue any disciplinary action against the respondent. Even when UMGC is able to honor your request, UMGC will still take reasonable steps to limit the effects of any sexual misconduct and prevent its recurrence without revealing your identity. This includes actions such as providing training and education materials, disseminating the UMGC Sexual Misconduct Policy, and conducting climate surveys.
There are instances in which UMGC may not be able to honor your request. UMGC will determine whether it can honor your request while still providing a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for you and all other students, faculty, and staff. If UMGC is not able to honor your request, you will be notified prior to any information being disclosed to the respondent.
You have the right to have an advisor of your choice provide support and assistance to you throughout the investigative process.
You may choose someone to serve as your advisor to assist you as you go through UMGC's investigative and adjudicative process. UMGC is able to limit the role that your advisor is able to play during the investigation process. However, your advisor can provide assistance such as: providing emotional support; helping you understand the investigation process; helping you prepare for interviews; and attending interviews with you. Your advisor is not able to speak for you during interviews. You and/or your advisor should speak with the Title IX Coordinator to discuss any concerns regarding the role of the advisor during the process.
You have the right to request that interim measures be put in place.
Interim measures are reasonably available steps UMGC may take to ensure your well-being and safety. Interim measures will be implemented on a case-by-case basis. Examples of interim measures include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in class schedules; academic accommodations (e.g. requests for a grade of "incomplete" or withdrawals from classes), etc. The Title IX Coordinator, in consultation with the Office of the Provost, shall determine what interim measures will be implemented.
You have the right to amnesty for alcohol or drug use related to the complaint. (Students only)
UMGC prohibits student conduct action (except for a mandatory intervention for substance abuse) for a violation of alcohol or drug use policies by a student who reports sexual misconduct to UMGC or law enforcement or participates in a sexual misconduct matter as a witness, if UMGC determines the violation occurred during or near the time of the alleged sexual misconduct, the student made the report of sexual misconduct or is participating in an investigation as a witness in good faith, and the violation was not an act that was reasonably likely to place the health or safety of another individual at risk.
You have the right to receive information about the status of your internal university complaint.
The Title IX Coordinator will provide you with updates regarding the status of the investigative and adjudicative process. You will also receive written notification regarding the outcome of the investigation and any appeal rights that may be available to you.
You have the right to be informed of the potential sanctions/disciplinary action that may be imposed against the respondent if they are found responsible for sexual misconduct.
Sanctions for students found responsible for a violation of UMGC policy include, but are not limited to, verbal or written reprimand, disciplinary probation, or expulsion. Persons who commit sexual misconduct in violation of federal, state, or local law may also be subject to criminal charges and penalties.
You have the right to seek victim advocacy services and/or legal assistance.
Several off-campus resources are available to assist in the provision of advocacy and legal assistance services. Please see Appendix A.
You have the right to be free from retaliation for filing a complaint.
Retaliation by a member of the UMGC community against an individual who makes a complaint of sexual misconduct, participates in an investigation of a complaint, supports a complaint, or testifies concerning a complaint is expressly prohibited by this policy. Any UMGC faculty, staff, or student who encounters retaliation is strongly encouraged to immediately report such conduct to the Title IX Coordinator. Any employee who is found to have retaliated is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. A student who is found to have retaliated is subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
Questions?
You may contact the university's Title IX Coordinator if you have any questions or concerns regarding the process or the information provided on this page.
Contact Title IX Coordinator
Steven Alfred
E-mail: titleixcoordinator@umgc.edu
Office: 800-888-8682, ext. 17930
Cell: 301-887-7295
Address
UMGC Headquarters
3501 University Blvd, East
Office of Diversity and Equity , 2316
Adelphi, MD 20783
Contact Overseas Title IX Investigator
Patricia Jameson
Director, Overseas Diversity and Equity Programs
E-mail (UMGC Europe): titleixinvestigator-europe@umgc.edu
E-mail (UMGC Asia): titleixinvestigator-asia@umgc.edu
CIV: +49 (0)631-53480368, ext. 42032
Contact Security
E-mail: security@umgc.edu
Phone: 240-684-2911
Address
UMGC Headquarters
3501 University Boulevard East
Administration Building
Adelphi, MD 20783