Role of Scripps College Responsible Employees
Reporting Obligation
If you’re a “Responsible Employee” (see list below) (RE), you must report to the Title IX Coordinator if a student or other member of the Scripps or 7C community discloses an incident of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, or sexual or gender-based harassment.
As an RE, you have an important role to play in helping the College to stop, prevent, and remedy sexual misconduct on campus. Faculty and staff are often the first contact for those who have decided to disclose their experiences with sexual harassment. Most students don’t report to law enforcement, at least right away. If someone is sharing with you, it is likely because they think of you as a trusted adult or mentor, and they need help.
The overarching goal is to help the individual retain control over next steps and feel supported and empowered in their decision making. Sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, and stalking are about someone else taking control of one’s life and body. Healing involves reclaiming that control.
There are four steps that our experience shows help with this conversation: 1) Explain your role; 2) listen, don’t lead; 3) connect to resources; 4) inform the Title IX Coordinator.
Of course, in an emergency, call 911 or call Campus Safety at (909) 607-2000.
Note:
Here is a link to the At a Glance: Responsible Employee At A Glance Role of Scripps Responsible Employees card.
Explain Your Role
It’s hard for people to communicate about a situation involving sexual harassment. People may feel embarrassed or ashamed, blame themselves, fear that family will find out, or fear being ostracized socially, among other barriers. When individuals decide to share such difficult information, they need as much control over next steps as possible. REs bolster this sense of control by letting the person know before (if possible) or immediately after the disclosure of a matter they have to report to the Title IX Coordinator.
An example: “I’m sensing you might want to tell me/have just told me about a sensitive and personal Title IX Matter. Please understand that I must share what I learn about such matters with the Title IX Office.”
Listen, Don’t Lead
- Let the reporting person guide the conversation.
- Listen attentively and without judgment.
- Demonstrate sensitivity/compassion with your body language, tone, and mannerisms.
- Avoid blaming and asking questions that imply fault, such as “How much were you drinking?” or “Why didn’t you call the police?” Instead say something like, “I’m so sorry this happened to you. Thank you for telling me.” Let the person know they are not to blame: “It’s not your fault.”
- Do not investigate. You’re not responsible for figuring out what happened or who is responsible. The best thing you can do is listen and reinforce the idea that you believe the person.
- Avoid giving advice or telling the person what they “should” or “must” do. It’s not helpful to encourage choices that the person is not ready for or doesn’t want to make.
Connect to Resources
REs have a unique opportunity to help the reporting person access support. If they’re open to it, review resources with them. You’re not expected to be an expert, but you can direct the person to those who are.
Sources of information include the Scripps Title IX website and the 7C Support and Prevention site. Resources are also listed on the back of the Responsible Employee At A Glance and on the Scripps Title IX Flow Chart and the Scripps Title IX Wallet Card Please contact the Title IX Coordinator if you need any of these materials.
Also, don’t be afraid to follow up with the person. This shows that you care about their well-being and can feel validating.
Inform the TIX Coordinator
Call (909-607-7142) or email the Scripps Title IX Coordinator in general no more than 24 hours after the disclosure. When considering timing, please be aware that a forensic evidence preservation exam is an option up to 96 hours after an assault and Plan B can be taken up to 72 hours after non-protected intercourse. (If the disclosure was made by someone affiliated with one of the other schools in the consortium, you can contact the Title IX coordinator at Scripps or the other school.)
Inform the Title IX Coordinator of the name of the reporting person and everything you learned, including, if provided, information about the accused, such as name and school affiliation; where and when the incident occurred; and a description of the incident. It is also helpful to let the Title IX Coordinator know whether you discussed support resources and, if so, which ones, as well as what the person’s reaction was to hearing that you would have to tell the Title IX Coordinator.
After the Title IX Coordinator is Informed
Following the report, the Title IX Coordinator (or sometimes a Deputy Title IX Coordinator) will email the reporting party to invite them in for a meeting. If the reporting party decides to meet, they do not have to disclose anything more than they’ve already shared, including the name of the accused. The Title IX Coordinator’s goal is to help the reporting person make the decisions about support and reporting that are best for them, recognizing that every person impacted by interpersonal violence is different.
When the Title IX Coordinator receives a report, the reporting party’s identity is not automatically shared with the accused or the accused’s college. A formal grievance process does not automatically go forward. In fact, except in the very limited circumstance in which there is an ongoing threat to the reporting party or to the Scripps or Claremont Colleges community, it is the reporting party that decides whether or not to talk to the other school and/or launch a grievance process. More information on reporting to the College can be found here. When someone comes forward, they don’t have to know how they want to proceed or even how to label what happened. Sometimes reporting parties request support resources, ask for no further action, wish to engage in safety planning, or wish to initiate a formal college grievance process.
Have Questions?
If you have questions about what to do or whether you have to report a particular circumstance, please contact the Scripps Title IX Coordinator, via email or phone at (909) 607-7142. You may discuss a situation with the Title IX Coordinator without revealing identifying information.
List of Scripps College Responsible Employees
Responsible employees include individuals with any of the following positions or substantially similar positions or job duties:
- The Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Title IX Coordinators
- President and Vice Presidents
- President/Board office staff
- All instructors, including full-time faculty, part-time faculty, teaching lab assistants, and language assistants
- All Student Affairs staff
- All staff in the following departments:
- Dean of Faculty
- Registrar
- Study Abroad and Global Education
- Denison Library
- Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program
- Human Resources
- Career Planning & Resources
- Scripps College Academy
- Financial Aid
- Admissions
- Williamson Gallery Director, Assistant Director, and Guards
- Food Services Manager
- Facilities Director
- Director of Grounds
- Athletic Directors, Coordinators, and Coaches
- Laboratory Directors, Coordinators, or Principal Investigators
- Internship or Externships Directors and Coordinators
Some student employees are also deemed Responsible Employees while performing the duties of employment. The following student positions also include Responsible Employee obligations:
- Resident Coordinators
- Student employees with instructional duties, including teaching lab assistants and language assistants
- New Student Program Coordinators
- Peer Mentor Team Leaders
- Tiernan Field House Coordinators
- Motley Managers