Sexual Misconduct Policies
A page within Title IX
This page houses and provides links for applicable policies for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's community.
UWL Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
Purpose and Scope of Policy
This policy prohibits acts of sexual violence and sexual harassment on university property, at university-sanctioned or university-affiliated events, and where off-campus conduct affects a member of the university community. The university is committed to educating its community and to promptly and effectively respond to and redress conduct that violates this policy. This policy provides the UW-La Crosse community with information and resources to identify, report, and respond to sexual violence and sexual harassment including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, and dating and domestic violence. These efforts support the mission of UW-La Crosse and the UW System.
This policy applies to:
- University sponsored and supported activities held both on and off campus, including those held in other municipalities, states, and nations;
- All students while they are on campus or if their off-campus conduct meets any of the following criteria:
- The conduct constitutes or would constitute a serious criminal offense, regardless of the existence of any criminal proceedings.
- The conduct indicates that the student presented or may present a danger or threat to the health or safety of self or others.
- The conduct demonstrates a pattern of behavior that seriously impairs the University’s ability to fulfill its teaching, research, or public service missions.
- All other members of the University community (including, but not limited to employees, volunteers, visitors, guests, contractors, and third-party vendors) while they are on campus or engaged in activities associated with University sponsored and supported activities.
To review the entire policy, please click on this downloadable PDF version: UWL Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
Additional Applicable UWL Policies
Chapter UWS 4
Chapter UWS 4 explains the procedures for dismissal for faculty members.
Chapter UWS 7
Chapter UWS 7 explains the process for dismissal of faculty in special cases.
Chapter UWS 11
Chapter UWS 11 explains the dismissal process for cause of academic staff.
Chapter UWS 17
Chapter UWS 17 explains the nonacademic disciplinary procedures for students.
UWL Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy
This policy prohibits acts of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on university property, at university-sanctioned or university-affiliated events, and where off-campus conduct affects a member of the university community. This policy applies to all university students, employees, officers, and agents, and to all programs and activities of the university. The university is committed to educating its community and shall promptly and effectively respond to and redress conduct that violates this policy. These efforts support the mission of UW-La Crosse and the UW System.
Other Supporting Law & Policy
Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, also known as the Clery Act, is a federal law that requires institutions of higher education to have in place certain security and safety policies and to disclose certain crime statistics. These policies and statistics are published every year on October 1 in UW-La Crosse’s Annual Security and Fire Safety report. The Clery Act also identifies certain staff, faculty and students as “Campus Security Authorities” and requires that they forward reports of crimes to designated offices on campus. The Clery Act was amended in 2013 to expand the list of crimes tracked and to broaden the rights and resources that victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking are entitled to. The Clery Act also requires institutions with campus police or security departments to maintain a daily crime log in an effort to provide a more “real-time” snapshot of crime on campus.
Executive Order #54
Executive Order #54 requires all Universities of Wisconsin employees to report incidents of child abuse and neglect. This policy extends that obligation to volunteers and contractors performing services for UW Administration.
Title IX and Sex Discrimination
Title IX applies to institutions that receive federal financial assistance from ED, including state and local educational agencies. These agencies include approximately 16,500 local school districts, 7,000 postsecondary institutions, as well as charter schools, for-profit schools, libraries, and museums. Also included are vocational rehabilitation agencies and education agencies of 50 states, the District of Columbia, and territories and possessions of the United States.
Educational programs and activities that receive ED funds must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner. Some key issue areas in which recipients have Title IX obligations are: recruitment, admissions, and counseling; financial assistance; athletics; sex-based harassment; treatment of pregnant and parenting students; discipline; single-sex education; and employment. Also, a recipient may not retaliate against any person for opposing an unlawful educational practice or policy, or made charges, testified or participated in any complaint action under Title IX. For a recipient to retaliate in any way is considered a violation of Title IX. The ED Title IX regulations (Volume 34, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 106) provide additional information about the forms of discrimination prohibited by Title IX.
UW Regent Policy Document 14-2
This policy applies to all Universities of Wisconsin institutions and programs. This policy covers sexual harassment and sexual violence, including but not limited to sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual exploitation.
The mission of the Universities of Wisconsin and its individual institutions can be realized only if the University’s teaching, learning, research, and service activities occur in living, learning, and working environments that are safe and free from violence, harassment, disruption, and intimidation. The purpose of this policy is to reflect the Board of Regents’ strong commitment to promoting an environment that is free from sexual violence and sexual harassment.
UW Regent Policy Document 14-6
This policy applies to all areas of the UW System programs, activities, employment practices and operations, including the conduct of all students and employees that arises out of their employment, educational or academic status, as well as to the conduct of all guests, visitors, vendors, contractors, subcontractors and others who do business with the UW System or individual UW institutions.
The purposes of this policy are to: express the Board of Regents’ commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; codify in Board of Regents policy the statutory prohibitions against discriminatory conduct; and assign oversight responsibility.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was enacted to protect victims of domestic crimes and reduce the stigma associated with domestic abuse.
Wisconsin Statute § 36.11(22)(c)
Wisconsin Statute § 36.11(22)(c) states that "any person employed at an institution who witnesses a sexual assault on campus or receives a report from a student enrolled in the institution that the student has been sexually assaulted shall report to the dean of students of the institution. The dean of students shall compile reports for the purpose of disseminating statistical information."
