SMU’s new Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures held its first meeting Thursday, October 11, and received its charge from SMU President R. Gerald Turner, who appointed the task force October 4.

The charge, which will determine the topics of subsequent meetings, reads as follows:

Charge to the Task Force

SMU is committed to providing the best possible learning environment for students to achieve their educational and personal goals. Such an environment must support student safety through University policies, standards of conduct, educational programs, and campus resources.

Toward that end, SMU aspires to develop and maintain model programs that include policies and procedures related to sexual misconduct.

The President’s Task Force is charged with the overarching goal of examining SMU’s procedures and policies related to sexual misconduct in comparison with benchmark practices to determine if any updates or changes are needed, taking into account adherence to state and federal laws, especially Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These policies and procedures aim to ensure that all students are treated with care and fairness.

Specifically, the Task Force is asked to review the following to determine if changes or additions are needed to strengthen SMU’s efforts:

• Sexual assault reporting procedures, including Clery Act compliance and effective coordination among campus offices, the SMU Police Department and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
• The student conduct process as it relates to sexual misconduct, including the structure of the grievance procedure required by Title IX and the make-up of conduct review mechanisms.
• Programs and responses to ensure a harassment-free environment, particularly for the complainant.
• Policies regarding students who are accused of sexual misconduct.
• Support services on and off-campus for students who are victims of sexual assault.
• Orientation, training and education programs for all faculty, staff and students, especially for those who serve in roles in which a student might report a sexual assault (e.g., resident assistants), and who participate in conduct review activities.
• Sexual misconduct policies and procedures that treat all parties involved with care and fairness.

In addition, the task force heard from Edward N. Stoner II, an attorney formerly with the Pittsburgh office of Reed Smith LLP; he is an expert on student conduct issues who has authored more than 50 articles and presentations, including the nation’s most widely used model code of conduct for colleges and universities. He also is an expert on Title IX, which requires colleges and universities to investigate and to have grievance procedures related to sexual misconduct; these procedures are separate and independent of the criminal process. Stoner is the first of the external experts called in to speak to the task force.

“Our first meeting was productive and informative. As an SMU trustee and the parent of college-age students, I deeply appreciate the care and deliberation that is being given to this issue, which requires our best thinking and highest level of compassion,” said Kelly Compton, chair of the task force. “With the perspectives and expertise of the membership and the information provided by external experts, I’m confident that the best interests of our students will be well served by the task force. Everyone is united behind this goal.”

Upon completing its deliberations, the task force will submit recommendations to President Turner.

“It’s important that every institution of higher education revisit its policies and procedures, especially on topics that can so deeply affect a student’s well-being and that are being debated on a national level,” Turner said. “We are gratified that a number of external experts are willing to visit the task force to address the often technical regulations governing sexual assault allegations, grievance procedures, and privacy issues.”

The next meeting of the task force is Oct. 17.

• Task Force membership announced.
• Letter from President R. Gerald Turner on creation of Task Force.

SMU is committed to fostering a secure learning and working environment for our campus community.  As part of that commitment, the SMU Police Department prepares and distributes an annual security report for the University’s main campus, the SMU-in-Plano campus and the SMU-in-Taos campus.

This report is published in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and its accompanying regulations also require that institutions issue an annual fire report, which is included in the security report.

• The report is available online at the SMU Police Department website.

The SMU report covers three calendar years, including incidents occurring on its campuses, at public areas adjacent to campuses and at certain non-campus facilities, including Greek houses and remote classrooms.  Information also is gathered from the University Park Police Department, Highland Park Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Plano Police Department, Taos County Sheriff’s Department in New Mexico and University officials with significant responsibility for students and campus activities.

In addition, the report contains policies and procedures for enhancing campus security and individual safety, including the Giddy Up, Safe Rides, Security Escort and awareness programs; methods by which the campus is alerted to crimes; the anonymous reporting system; and assistance for victims of sex offenses.

“As you know, safety awareness and practices are a major focus of student orientation programs each year, complementing ongoing educational programs throughout the year. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to be partners in enhancing security on campus and sharing responsibility for each other’s safety,” wrote SMU President R. Gerald Turner in an e-mail dated Oct. 1, 2012. “We must remain mindful, too, that while SMU’s campus engenders a comfort level one would expect of a collegiate setting, our location in a major metropolitan area brings with it challenges as well as opportunities.”

If you would like a paper copy of the University’s annual security report, please contact the SMU Police Department at 214-768-1348 or e-mail Officer Linda Perez at lindaperez@smu.edu.

Following is a letter SMU President R. Gerald Turner sent to the SMU community on Friday, September 28:

Dear students, faculty and staff:

In the past few weeks our campus community has been shocked and saddened by allegations of two sexual assaults that have resulted in the indictment of an SMU student and most recently the arrest of another. In an educational community that values and expects the highest level of mutual respect, personal responsibility and behavior that upholds the law, these allegations are especially troubling. As the criminal process moves forward, we continue to offer counseling and support to those affected, as well as to provide information to all students on procedures for reporting sexual misconduct.

I am asking members of the University community to re-acquaint themselves with the options and procedures for reporting sexual misconduct, information shared through the Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook, orientation sessions, Wellness classes, University websites, and crime alerts. Such resources explain the conduct review process through the SMU Code of Conduct as well as the option to file criminal or civil charges, which proceed separately and independently of SMU. Like all colleges and universities that receive federal funding, SMU is required by federal law under Title IX to investigate complaints of sexual violence and to provide an internal grievance procedure. Independent of this requirement, SMU is committed to fostering a healthy and supportive environment, to holding members of the community accountable if they violate the rights of others, and to providing care and counseling to the victims of sexual misconduct. At the same time, we encourage respect for the rights of all concerned while investigations and processes unfold.

In view of recent questions about how universities, including SMU, address sexual misconduct, I am appointing the President’s Task Force on Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures. As the name implies, the charge of the task force will be to examine SMU’s procedures and policies in comparison with benchmark practices to determine if any updates or changes are needed, taking into account adherence to state and federal laws, especially Title IX.  Although our procedures are examined regularly, and mirror those of many other institutions, the task force will be a timely opportunity to broaden deliberations and conversation on this critical matter. Its focus will include not only how sexual misconduct allegations are addressed at SMU, but also how the University can strengthen prevention and education on this important topic.

The task force will be co-chaired by Lori White, vice president for Student Affairs, and Kelly Compton, SMU alumna, trustee and chair of the Board’s Students Affairs Committee. Members will include students; faculty; administrators in areas such as Institutional Access and Equity (Title IX coordination), the Health Center, Residence Life and Student Housing, and law enforcement. The Task Force also will include representation from victims’ support organizations. In its work, the Task Force will call upon other local and national experts as resources.

As we have dealt with the tragic issue of sexual assault over the past few weeks, we have appreciated expressions of concern from among our constituents and others who share our deepest commitment to the welfare of our students. We will further appreciate thoughtful input as we move forward with the deliberations of our task force. Our desired outcome will be to strengthen the University as a caring community with high standards of conduct that support the high purpose of education.

Thank you for your assistance in support of University goals.

Sincerely,

R. Gerald Turner,
SMU President

The SMU Health Center has scheduled nine flu shot clinics for Fall 2012 on the University’s main campus and East Campus, and at SMU-in-Plano.

The University offers free flu shots for all SMU students and benefit-eligible faculty, staff, retirees and retiree spouses. Other faculty and staff members, as well as spouses, may purchase shots for $25.

Students, faculty and staff can update their inoculations during the following days and times at these locations:

This year, a single shot will protect against H1N1, or the swine flu, and two other widespread flu strains that affected the Southern Hemisphere during the last flu season. Health officials recommend that everyone 6 months and older be vaccinated.

To keep your clinic visit as short as possible, take these steps:

• Complete the 2012-13 Flu Vaccine Form and bring it with you.
• Review the Health Center’s Health Information Privacy Policy (HIPAA).
• Review the latest flu vaccine information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
• Bring your SMU ID or ID number to the clinic.
• Wear short sleeves, if possible.

Keep up with the latest flu information, including upcoming clinic schedules, at smu.edu/flu.

Dallas County influenza resources and updates are available at dallascounty.org.