Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion : WCSU Campus Response & Resource Team (“CaRRT”)

WCSU Bill of Rights

Last updated: August 10, 2020

All involved parties in the matter(s) of sexual misconduct/violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are afforded rights by the federal government, the state, and Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”).  

All students and involved individual(s) have the right to emotional and physical safety.

 

Federal Law entitles all involved parties to the following right(s):

  • The named accuser(s) and the accused have the same opportunities to have a representative of their choosing (i.e., an advocate, support person, etc.) present throughout the disciplinary proceeding(s).
  • Both parties shall be informed of the official outcome of any disciplinary proceeding(s).
  • All involved parties shall be informed of their option(s) to notify law enforcement.
  • All involved parties shall be informed of all available counseling and protective services on- and off-campus.
  • All involved parties shall be informed of one or more option(s) for changing academic and/or living situation(s) at the University.

WCSU is committed to the following:

  • The Connecticut State University System (“CSCU”) Student Code of Conduct outlines the campus disciplinary process.  Students have the right to know the range of sanctions the institution can impose on the accused, which include: Warning; Written Reprimand; Probation; Loss of Privileges; Restitution; Discretionary Sanctions; Residence Hall Warning; Residence Hall Probation; Residence Hall Suspension; Suspension; Residence Hall Expulsion; and Expulsion. The full text of this can be found in the Student
    Handbook, published by the university, or at: https://www.wcsu.edu/handbook/
  • Victims have the right to know that any disclosure of sexual misconduct/violence made to a university employee can result in a report as an annual crime statistic (with the victim’s name withheld).
  • Victims have a right to privacy and confidentiality up to the extent of a formal investigation and/or disciplinary proceeding.  The victim must be advised that their information will be disclosed once all involved parties are notified.  The University must have a waiver signed by the student in order to share information with any third party, including parents.

Additionally, the University is committed to ensuring that all involved parties are afforded the following:

  • The right to an advocate of their choosing:
    • For additional information and resources about victim advocacy, contact the Women’s Center: (203) 837-3939.
    • For additional information and resources about accused advocacy, contact the WCSU Title IX Coordinator: (203) 837-8444.
  • In a campus disciplinary hearing, all parties have a variety of options for how they offer their testimony, including the participation of a phone/virtual conference, or to have access to a private room.
    • For additional information, contact the Office of Judicial Affairs: (203) 837-8770 as it relates to Student Conduct matters.
    • For additional information, contact the Office of Diversity and Equity: (203) 837-8444 as it related to Employee matters.