VUU defines sexual misconduct as any a form of sex discrimination that may deny or limit an individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from University programs or activities. Sexual Misconduct is inconsistent with the values and standards of the University community, is incompatible with the safe, healthy environment that the University community expects and deserves, and will not be tolerated. Sexual Misconduct includes but is not limited to sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual exploitation, and stalking .For more information on reporting incidents of sexual misconduct, please contact Dean of Students, University Police and the Office of Title IX. Please consult the University website for current Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures as well as available resources here: www.vuu.edu/titleix.
Forms of sexual misconduct may include:
Coercion. "Coercion" involves unreasonable and unwanted pressure to engage in sexual activity. Engaging in sexual activity should be the result of a freely given choice. An individual should engage in sexual activity because he or she wants to, and not as the result of being pressured by someone else. Threatening, cajoling, and pressuring someone until they finally say "Okay, just get it over with" is not consent.
Dating Violence. “Dating Violence” means violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim.
Domestic Violence. "Domestic Violence" is an offense committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the Complainant; or by a person who has a child in common with the Complainant; cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the Complainant as a spouse or is “similarly situated to a spouse” of the Complainant; or violence against an adult or youth who would otherwise be protected by domestic or family violence laws in that jurisdiction.
Sexual Assault. “Sexual Assault” means any actual, attempted or threatened sexual act with another person without that person’s consent, to include non-consensual sexual contact (touching sexual body parts) and non-consensual sexual intercourse (unwilling or non-nonsexual penetration of any bodily opening with any objects or body parts).
Sexual Exploitation. “Sexual Exploitation” means any act of taking non-Consensual, unjust or abusive sexual advantage of another person for one’s own advantage or benefit or to benefit or advantage anyone other than the person being exploited.
Sexual Harassment. “Sexual Harassment” is any unwelcome verbal, nonverbal, written, electronic or physical conduct of a sexual nature or based on gender or gender stereotyping.
Sexual Intimidation. “Sexual Intimidation includes acts of intimidation, bullying, aggression or hostility based on a sexual nature.
Stalking. “Stalking” means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.
University’s Zero Tolerance Policy
Everyone has a responsibility to make VUU a safe campus and a safe space for all members of the Panther community and certain offenses may receive the maximum sanction of suspension or expulsion from the University. Students who violate the Zero Tolerance Policy may be summarily (temporarily) suspended pending a hearing.
The University prohibits:
all illegal distribution of drugs and has zero tolerance for repeated offenses of drug violations;
zero tolerance for possession of firearms;
zero tolerance for fighting/assault and battery that directly contributes to the emotional or physical detriment of University personnel or enrolled students;
and zero tolerance for sexual violence.