Student Handbook - Tougaloo College

• Center for Violence Prevention (24 hour crisis line, 1-800-266-4198)
• University Medical Center (601-984-4000)
(Please see How to Report a Sexual Assault policy in this handbook)
In responding to reports of sexual assault, the College seeks to provide redress for the victim, to
provide due process for the accused, and to protect the campus community from the threat of
such incidents.
A charge of sexual assault against a student will be handled by the Office of the Dean of
Students under the normal College judicial processes. The Dean of Students has the discretion to
suspend a student accused of sexual assault, pending a hearing. If found guilty of sexual assault,
a student may face suspension for one year or expulsion. (See Campus Governance, pg. 24)
Sexual Harassment
Tougaloo College will not tolerate sexual harassment or assault in the workplace. Management,
at all levels, is responsible for taking corrective action to prevent harassment in the workplace.
An employee or student has the right, at any time, to raise the issue of sexual harassment or
assault without fear of reprisal. Allegations of sexual harassment or assault will be promptly
investigated giving due regard to the need for confidentiality.
Willfully making a false report of the sexual harassment or assault is a violation of College
policy and is a serious offense. Any person who willfully makes a false report of sexual
harassment will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
The College must know about incidents of sexual harassment and/or assault in order to stop
them. Any employee who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment or assault is strongly
urged to report the incident to their immediate supervisor. If the supervisor is involved, the
incident must be reported to upper level management.
Every possible effort will be made to ensure the confidentiality of information received as part of
the College’s resolution and grievances procedures. In the event that an employee has a sexual
harassment or assault complaint, the proper procedure designated below should be followed.
1. Sexual Harassment is defined as any unwanted physical, verbal or sexual advances,
request for sexual favors, and other sexually oriented conduct, which is offensive or
objectionable to the recipient, including, but not limited to epithets, derogatory or
suggestive comments, slurs, or gestures, or offensive postures, cartoons, pictures, or
drawings, and patting or excessive touching.
a. Quid Pro Quo Harassment--Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual
harassment when submission or rejection of such conduct is made a condition of
academic evaluation or the conferral of any benefit. It involves an implicit or
explicit threat that if the student does not accede to the sexual demands of
someone in authority he or she will suffer adverse consequences.
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