Sexual & Gender Based Prohibited Conduct
Primary Prevention and Awareness
In addition to our ongoing efforts to eliminate, address, and prevent rape, acquaintance rape, and other forms of sexual violence on its campus, and in connection with its programs and activities, the University includes in its student, staff, and faculty orientation programs information on prevention and awareness relating to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Programs explain the University’s policy prohibiting these types of conduct, provide definitions of prohibited conduct and consent in reference to sexual activity, and offer information about safe and positive options for bystander intervention, criminal reporting options and reporting to campus authorities, and campus disciplinary action, as well as resources to obtain orders of protection and no-contact orders.
The University also conducts ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns for students, staff, and faculty on issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. As part of the University’s primary prevention and awareness programs, information is provided to incoming students and new employees. Mandatory online training is required for all new students and employees. These modules include information on sexual assault, intimate partner violence (including domestic and dating violence), consent, bystander intervention, University resources, policies, and reporting procedures. The student module also examines the interconnected issues of unhealthy relationships and substance abuse.
Procedures to Address Incidents
The University has established specific procedures to address incidents involving Prohibited Conduct. These procedures involve an intake and an initial assessment followed, as appropriate, by an alternative or disciplinary resolution. These procedures will be administered in a fair and impartial manner by trained Title IX Office staff who understand the difficult and sensitive issues involved.
TRAINING
To support transparency and fairness across all of the member schools and agencies The Texas A&M University System developed and requires members to follow the Minimum Training Requirements for Civil Rights Investigations, Advisement, Adjudication, Appeals, and Informal Resolution.
STANDARDS OF EVIDENCE
To support transparency and fairness across all of the member schools and agencies, The Texas A&M University System requires members to follow the standard of Preponderance of the Evidence meaning more likely than not to have occurred.
Risk Reduction & Personal Safety
Risk reduction and personal safety planning information provides students and employees with options designed to decrease perpetration and bystander inaction. Information on risk reduction increases empowerment for victims in order to promote safety and to help individuals, our TAMIU community, and other communities to address conditions that facilitate acts of violence. Personal safety habits directly translate to campus safety habits by changing the mindset of all members of our community to be engaged in and with what is happening around them.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Walk with purpose.
• Trust your instincts.
• Make sure your cell phone is with you.
• When you go to social gatherings, go with a group of friends.
• Don’t leave your drink unattended.
• Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know or trust.
• Watch out for your friends.
• Have your friends watch out for you.
• If you suspect you or a friend have been drugged, contact law enforcement immediately.
• Try to think of an escape route.
Policy and Key Terms Definitions
In accordance with federal law, The Texas A&M University System Regulation-Civil Rights Compliance, and Texas A&M International University Rule-Civil Rights Complaint and Appeal Process prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking (as those terms are defined for the purposes of the Clery Act), and/or related retaliation.
Our statements of policy address discrimination, harassment (including nonconsensual sexual contact, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, quid pro quo and hostile environment sexual harassment), complicity, and retaliation as prohibited conduct. The policies apply whether the prohibited conduct occurs on or off campus and when it is reported to the University.