The Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance (CTAC) is committed to preventing and eliminating discrimination or harassment based on age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and retaliation.
Anyone who wishes to make a report of sexual harassment, discrimination or retaliation under Policy 3.06 / Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation for Employees, Students and Visitors has the following reporting options outside of the Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance (CTAC):
Report to the Wichita State University Police Department (UPD) or other police agency with jurisdiction over the conduct and pursue a criminal investigation. Reports may be made to UPD in person or via telephone. WSU Emergency Phone: 911 / Non-Emergency Phone: 316-978-3450.
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education
Bldg 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-1100
Telephone: 800-421-3481; FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877-8339; Email: OCR@ed.gov
Please Note: The grievance process, through CTAC, for reports of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation do not mirror criminal or civil legal processes. The grievance process is administrative, not legal; thus, rules of law, evidence, and criminal/civil procedure do not apply and will not be used, with minor exceptions as set forth in the policy. The University does not have subpoena power, the ability to collect or process forensic evidence (e.g., sexual assault examination kits, etc.), the ability to issue warrants, or to otherwise compel individuals to participate in the University’s grievance procedure.
Nonetheless, incidents of sexual harassment or discrimination may also constitute a criminal offense. Incidents that occur on campus fall within the jurisdiction of the Wichita State University Police Department (UPD). UPD had the legal authority to investigate criminal complaints, issue search warrants, collect forensic evidence, and assist in obtaining court orders of protection. Criminal investigations are separate and independent from university investigations under the policy. If a person files a report with CTAC and with the police, the University will attempt to coordinate its investigation with the police to the extent possible. The University may delay its investigation while police gather evidence so as not to interfere with their investigation, but the University will not wait for the conclusion of a criminal investigations or proceeding before commencing (or completing) its own investigation.
The definition of sexual harassme investigations nt under the policy and the related definitions under criminal statutes may differ. Likewise, the standard of proof for a finding of responsibility under the policy – a preponderance of the evidence – is lower than the burden of proof for a finding of guilt under criminal law – beyond a reasonable doubt. For these reasons, the outcome of any criminal investigation will not determine the outcome of any proceedings or processes under the policy or vice versa.
The Title IX Coordinator will review the allegations and determine an appropriate course of action. Some cases can be handled informally and outside of the formal investigative process, although the University will not mediate cases of sexual violence even on a voluntary basis. For cases that result in an investigation, those investigations are conducted by individuals who have received specialized training in those types of . All investigations will be conducted in a thorough and neutral manner.
CARE stands for Campus Assessment Response Evaluation. CARE Team is a collection of WSU staff who are committed to helping ensure students’ needs are met in order to promote wellness and academic success.
Learn moreCora Olson, Chair
316-978-6435
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1-888-275-1205 (option 1)
TDD 800-697-0353
Information shared with these resources will remain confidential and will not be shared with the University or anyone without express, written permission of the individual seeking services except when there is an imminent threat of harm to self or others, or, when directed to do so by court order of disclosure is provided for by the professional rule of conduct or law.
All University employees who are not designated above as confidential, are mandated reporters for all the details of which they are aware about an incident. They must share this information with the Title IX Coordinator or an officer with authority (OWA) . Once the Title IX Coordinator receives notice from the mandated reporter, the University has actual knowledge of the incident and must respond. Incidents of sexual harassment will be taken seriously when notice is given to the Title IX Coordinator or an OWA. Such incidents of sexual harassment will be investigated and resolved in a prompt and equitable manner under the University’s grievance procedures, which are discussed here.
You may request confidentiality and/or that the Title IX Coordinator provide you with supportive measures and resources without initiating a formal grievance process. Generally, the University will respect your request unless the Title IX Coordinator believes there is a threat to the community based on the pattern, predation, weapon, or the accused’s threatening conduct.
In cases where the confidentiality request is granted, the Title IX Coordinator will offer you available supportive measures and resources. You are not obligated to pursue a formal investigation and/or grievance process to access the supportive measures or resources. If the Title IX Coordinator decides that there is an obligation to pursue a formal investigation/grievance process based on the information you provided, you are not obligated to participate.
The University has a duty to minors (individuals under the age of 18) and must report incidents of sexual misconduct to local law enforcement and/or state agencies. Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in sexual misconduct incidents involving minors.
It is important to preserve physical evidence that may include tissue and fluid samples, evidence of violence, sheets, towels, clothing, etc. You may choose to avoid washing, bathing, urinating, etc., until after being examined at Via Christi St. Joseph or Wesley Medical Center for a SANE/SART (sexual assault nurse examination/sexual assault response team) if possible. Evidence of a sexual assault can deteriorate quickly; it is important to seek a medical exam as soon as possible. The best evidence collection occurs within 120 hours of an assault, but fluids, hair samples and DNA can be collected for a long time after the incident. Even if you have washed, evidence can often still be obtained.
After 120 hours, it may be helpful to seek medical attention, even if you are not trying to obtain evidence of an assault. Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE) are trained in the collection of forensic evidence and can check for injuries and exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. If you are still wearing any clothes worn during the assault, wear them to the hospital, and bring a change of clothes, as the hospital will keep the clothes you are wearing as evidence. If you have changed clothes, bring the ones you were wearing during the assault to the hospital in a clean paper (not plastic) bag or wrapped in a clean sheet. Leave sheets/towels at the scene of the assault. Police will collect them. Typically, police will be called to the hospital to take custody of the rape kit, but it is up to you whether you wish to speak with them or file a criminal complaint.