Confidentiality and Privacy
In all instances and to the extent possible, the University will protect the privacy of all parties to a report of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. That said, under federal law, campus officials (with the exception of the confidential resources) who receive a report of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking, whether from the parties involved or a third party, must share that information with the appropriate University authorities for investigation and follow-up.
Persons requesting anonymity or confidentiality must recognize that honoring a request for anonymity or confidentiality may impair the campus’ ability to fully investigate and respond to the incident, including disciplining or taking other action against a perpetrator.
Requests for confidentiality will be balanced against the campus’ obligation to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all members of the community. The campus will consider several factors in determining whether it is able to honor a request for confidentiality, including but not limited to:
- Have there been other complaints of the same conduct against the alleged perpetrator?
- Does the alleged perpetrator have a history of arrests or records indicating a history of harassment/misconduct?
- Has the alleged perpetrator threatened further harassment/misconduct against the complainant, or others?
- Was the harassment/misconduct perpetrated by multiple individuals?
- Does the report of harassment/misconduct reveal a pattern of perpetration at a given location or by a particular group?
- Was a weapon involved?
- Are there other means of obtaining relevant information?