Students’ Bill of Rights: Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence

The health and safety of every student at the College is of utmost importance. The College strongly encourages students to report domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to College officials. The College recognizes that students who have been drinking and/or using drugs (whether such use is voluntary or involuntary) at the time that violence, including but not limited to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault occurs, may be hesitant to report such incidents due to fear of potential consequences for their own conduct. A bystander acting in good faith or a Complainant acting in good faith that discloses any incident of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to College officials or law enforcement will not be subject to College Regulations for violations of alcohol and/or drug use policies occurring at or near the time of the commission of the domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault. 

All students have the right to:

1. Make a report to local law enforcement and/or state police; 
2. Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault treated seriously; 
3. Make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the judicial or conduct process and/or criminal justice process free from pressure from the institution; 
4. Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard; 
5. Be treated with dignity and to receive from the institution courteous, fair, and respectful health care and counseling services, where available; 
6. Be free from any suggestion that the reporting individual is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations; 
7. Describe the incident to as few institutional representatives as practicable and not to be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident. 
8. Be free from retaliation by the institution, the accused and/or the respondent, and/or their friends, family, and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the institution; 
9. Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination; 
10. Be accompanied by an advisor of choice who may assist and advise a reporting individual, accused, or respondent throughout the judicial or conduct process including during all meetings and hearings related to such process; 
11. Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or judicial or conduct process of the College. 

See also the New York State Sexual Assault Victim Bill of Rights for additional rights provided to all Vassar students while in New York State.

Vassar Students Bill of Rights card