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Title IX

Mission Statement

The Title IX Office’s mission is to empower and support the ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ community in advancing a climate of gender equity and inclusion through educating all campus community members on how to prevent, identify, and report sexual and gender-based misconduct, providing those affected by such misconduct with supportive services and resolution options, conducting fair and equitable investigations, and using evidence-based and community-informed prevention efforts.

It’s up to each of us to create a healthy campus free of sex based discrimination. This website provides tools and resources that can help us ensure a safe and respectful campus.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation

ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which all persons who participate in university programs and activities can work and/or learn together in an atmosphere free of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, and discrimination.

The university does not tolerate such forms of misconduct. It is the intention of the university to take prompt and equitable action to prevent the recurrence of behaviors that violate this policy. ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing sexual or gender-based misconduct or participating in any sexual and gender-based discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or external to the institution. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and by ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ policy. Any person may report sex discrimination (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct), in person, by mail, by telephone, by video, or by email, or via the reporting form. A report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours).

 

Important Resources:

If you have been a victim of sexual misconduct, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, and/or discrimination we strongly encourage you to reach out to the following Resources for guidance and options:

University Chaplain

Reverend William Wick 
Email: wwick@norwich.edu 
Phone: 1 (802) 485-2128

Mosaic VT

Mosaic Vermont's mission is to heal communities and end sexual violence.
24-hour helpline: (802) 479-5577

Circle

Offering support and advocacy for victim/survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
24-hour hotline: 1 (877) 543-9498

Additional Resources

Q: What is sexual and gender-based misconduct? 

A: Sexual and gender-based misconduct can include sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual or gender-based harassment, sex and/or gender-based stalking, intimate partner violence and sex and gender-based discrimination.

Behavior that creates a hostile environment or affects someone’s employment, academic standing or participation in university programs could be considered sexual or gender-based misconduct.

Q: If I encounter this misconduct, what are my options for reporting it?

A: If/when you are ready to report an incident, you can report to confidential and nonconfidential resources. To make informed choices, all parties should be aware of confidentiality and privacy issues and ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s mandatory reporting requirements.

Q: What are ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s nonconfidential resources?

A: If you would like a response from ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ (i.e., for supportive measures and/or to have a resolution process initiated), you may report to a nonconfidential resource. ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ encourages individuals to report incidents covered under this policy so that these individuals can get support and resolution options and so the university can respond appropriately, while maintaining a safe and secure campus.

People that want to report an incident have the following options:

  • Directly to the Title IX office. titleix@norwich.edu 
  • To any ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ employee who is not a confidential resource. All employees who are not designated below as confidential are mandatory reporters for all the details for which they are aware about an incident. They share this information with the Title IX coordinator.
  • To a LEAP Representative. Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Prevention Representatives are students who have been trained to take reports of sexual or gender-based misconduct. LEAP Representatives bring those reports to the Title IX coordinator.

Q: What are ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s confidential resources?

A: If you wish to keep an incident’s details confidential, you should speak with one of the confidential resources listed below; their services are free of charge.

Besides providing counseling and support, these resources can help you access supportive measures from ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ without needing to report. These resources work as an intermediary between you and ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s Title IX coordinator, sharing information only as necessary to implement supportive measures.

Q: What are ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s confidential resources?

A: They are:

  • ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ Counseling and Wellness Center - To make an appointment call (802) 485-2134 or drop in during regular hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday through Friday. Emergency coverage: (802) 793-3093
  • ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ Student Health Center: (802) 485-2552 OR nuinfirm@norwich.edu
  • University Chaplain Rev. William S. Wick - (802) 485-2128 OR wwick@norwich.edu

Q: What are the local community’s confidential resources?

A: They are:

Mosaic (formerly called the Sexual Assault Crisis Team) - 24/7 hotline: (802) 476-5577      
Circle (intimate partner violence support service) - 24/7 hotline: 1 (877) 543-9498

Q: Is there a time limit to reporting?

A: No. However, the university encourages reports to be made as soon as possible as the passing of time makes responding to reports harder and makes involved parties’ memories less reliable. The Title IX Office reserves the right to investigate or otherwise address any report, regardless of when it is made, based on concern for the safety or well-being of the university community.

In some cases, if you make an initial report but decide not to participate further, the university may still need to review and investigate the information provided. Even in such cases, you do not have to participate in the university process.

Q: May I submit a report anonymously?

A: Yes. You can using the online reporting form to make a report to the Title IX Office without disclosing your name. If you wish to remain anonymous, do not fill out the form with your information. The Title IX Office will still receive the form. Please understand that with an anonymous submission, the Office of Institutional Effectiveness’ ability to follow up may be limited.

Q: What happens after I submit a report?

A: The Title IX Office responds to every report brought to its attention. Once a report is made, Title IX Office staff will reach out to the affected party to offer resources, support and information about possible next steps, including how to file a formal complaint.

If you are reporting on your own behalf, Title IX staff will contact you via your ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ-provided email account. If you are reporting on someone else’s behalf (i.e., you did not experience the misconduct), then Title IX staff wil reach out to the alleged victim. Title IX staff typically does not reach out to third-party reporters unless more information is needed.

When you speak with a Title IX Office staff member, we will:

  • Keep your information as private as possible, within policy and process,
  • Work with you to evaluate your care and support needs,
  • Discuss your options under university policy, and
  • Empower you to obtain the care and support you need.

Coming to Title IX Office does not obligate you to initiate a university investigation by filing a formal university complaint or report the incident to law enforcement unless you choose to do so.

The decision to file a formal complaint or report to law enforcement is yours to make.

Q: I’m not sure I want to participate in an investigation. Can I still get support?

A: Yes. It is not necessary to file a formal complaint, participate in adjudication or file a criminal complaint to request supportive services from the university.

Both complainants and respondents may request supportive measures from the Title IX coordinator; these supportive services are nondisciplinary, nonpunitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as available, without charge.

These services may include but are not limited to:

  • No-contact orders restricting encounters and communications between the parties
  • Academic accommodations, including but not limited to deadline extensions, excused absences, incompletes, course changes or late drops, or other arrangements as appropriate
  • Residential accommodations, including but not limited to arranging for new housing or providing temporary housing options, as appropriate
  • Changing transportation, working arrangements, or providing other employment accommodations, as appropriate
  • Help accessing support services, including, as available, victim advocacy, academic support, counseling, disability, health or mental health services, visa and immigration assistance, student financial aid services, and legal assistance both on and off campus, as applicable
  • Informing the individual of rights to report a crime to local law enforcement and/or seek protection orders, restraining orders or relief from abuse orders from U.S. courts or courts outside of the United States as applicable, and providing assistance if the individual wishes to do so.
    • ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ will also work with complainants and others, as appropriate, to respect and implement the requirements of such orders on premises that it owns or controls, as necessary and appropriate.

Q: Can I request that the Title IX Office not share or act on information I provide?

A: If a complainant requests to remain confidential, the university will seriously consider that request. Only in rare circumstances will the university proceed to a sexual or gender-based misconduct investigation against the wishes of the complainant.

Generally, the university will seek to honor the request of the complainant not to proceed to a Title IX investigation and to remain confidential and will not proceed to a formal investigation without the consent of the complainant.

The Title IX coordinator will consider several factors in deciding whether the request can be honored, including the complainant’s age, whether there is evidence of a pattern of misconduct, the misconduct’s severity and whether there is a safety risk to the complainant or the ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ community.

Should the university, in weighing such factors, determine it must investigate, it will explain its rationale to the complainant. The complainant will not be required to participate in the process as a prerequisite to the university proceeding.

Q: I am a mandatory reporter. How do I report?

A: |

To learn more about support services available, resolution and reporting options and risk-reduction strategies, please contact the Title IX coordinator.

You may also find more on these topics in the Campus Policies, Procedures, and Services resource guide. 

Translated Versions of the resource guide are available below:

  • | | | | (Akan) |

The Title IX Office offers programming and training throughout the year and also offers these resources on demand. These sessions are designed to be interactive.

Topics include:

  • Sexual Harassment and Violence: How to Respond and Intervene
  • Talking Stalking
  • Healthy Relationships and Boundaries
  • Implicit Bias
  • SafeZone

For those interested in collaborating and creating a new program or training, requests can be submitted via the form below.

    
 

Pregnant and parenting students are protected under Title IX, a federal law established in 1972 that protects people from discrimination based on sex that occurs in education programs or activities. ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ has a policy and associated procedures for ensuring the protection and equal treatment of pregnant individuals, persons with pregnancy related conditions, and new parents.

Students can learn more about the support and resources available by reaching out to the Title IX Office at titleix@norwich.edu.

What is Sex-Based Misconduct

Gender-Based Harassment or Discrimination
Sexual Harassment
Dating/Domestic Violence
Stalking
Sexual Assault
Sexual Exploitation

*For definitions of the prohibited conduct refer to the


Choose how to proceed. You have options. You can: (1) do nothing until you are ready, (2) pursue a ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ resolution, (3) initiate criminal proceedings, (4) initiate a civil process against the alleged Respondent, and/or (5) pursue healing options that do not require reporting to any official. You may pursue whichever combination of options is best for you. If you pursue a ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ resolution, your options can include an investigation and hearing, informal resolution, and/or supportive measures. Those options are summarized below and explained in detail in ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy (compliant with the 2020 Title IX Regulations) found here: .
 

IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED SEX-BASED MISCONDUCT

If you are off campus and experiencing an emergency, you can call local police by dialing 911. You may also call the local police department’s non-emergency line at 802-485-9181.

1. Go to a safe location as soon as you are able.

2. Contact any of the following for immediate assistance on campus or in the community:

  • Title IX Coordinator at 802-485-2144. Regular business hours, M-F
  • Public Safety at 802-485-2525. 24 hours/7 days a week
  • Health Center at 802-485-2552. Regular business hours, M-F (closed 12-1) Saturday 8-12 pm<
  • Counseling & Wellness Center at 802-485-2134. Regular business hours, M-F, After-hours Crisis-Line at 802-793-3093
  • at 802-485-2120. Regular business hours, M-F, including on-call
  • (Mosiac) at 802-479-5577. 24 hours a day
  • (Montpelier) at 802-223-6377. 8:15 – 4:15 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday
  • (Circle) at 877-543-9498. 24 hours a day
  • at 802-241-0440. Note hours of availability
     
  • University Chaplain at 802-485-2128. Regular business hours, M-F

3. Medical Attention:

Seek immediate medical attention if you are injured or believe you may have been exposed to the risk of an STI/STD or pregnancy.

, 130 Fisher Road, Berlin, Vermont. 802-371-4100

4. Evidence Preservation:

Preserving evidence is critical to potential criminal prosecution and to obtaining restraining/protective orders, and it is particularly time sensitive. The following steps will help preserve evidence:

For instances of Sexual Assault:

  • Seek forensic medical assistance at the nearest hospital, ideally within 120 hours of the incident (sooner is better).
  • Avoid urinating, showering, bathing, washing hands or face, or douching, if possible, but evidence may still be collected even if you do.
  • If oral sexual contact took place, refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, or brushing teeth.
  • If clothes are changed, place soiled clothes in a paper bag (plastic destroys evidence) or a secure evidence container (if provided one by law enforcement).
    • If you are still wearing any clothes worn during the incident, wear them to the hospital, but bring a change of clothes, as the hospital will keep the clothes you are wearing as evidence.
  • Seeking medical treatment, in general, can be essential, even if it is not for the purpose of collecting forensic evidence.
  • Typically, police will be called to the hospital to take custody of the forensic kit, but it is up to you whether you wish to speak with them or file a criminal complaint.

For instances of Stalking/Dating Violence/Domestic Violence/Sex-Based Harassment:

  • Evidence in the form of text and voice messages will be lost, in most cases, if the impacted individual changes their phone number.
    • Make a secondary recording of any voice messages and/or save the audio files to a cloud server.
    • Take screenshots and/or a video recording of any text messages or other electronic messages (e.g., Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook).
  • Save copies of email and social media correspondence, including notifications related to account access alerts.
  • Take time-stamped photographs of any physical evidence, including notes, gifts, etc., in place when possible.
  • Save copies of any messages, including those showing any request for no further contact.
  • Obtain copies of call logs showing the specific phone number being used rather than a saved contact name if possible.

5. Contacting Law Enforcement:

ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ will provide assistance contacting law enforcement, if the impacted individual wishes to do so. Contacting law enforcement is not required to receive support or to engage other options for resolution through ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ. Local law enforcement can assist with evidence collection, evidence preservation, taking statements, pressing criminal charges, and obtaining protective or restraining orders. Local law enforcement agencies include:

, 110 Wall Street, Northfield, VT. 802-485-9181

(Washington County), 10 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT. 802-223-3001

ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ will also help facilitate contact with any other law enforcement agencies not listed above if those agencies would have jurisdiction over the alleged misconduct or could otherwise provide support for or information to the impacted individual.

If any impacted individual would prefer to have a support person accompany them to any meeting or interview with law enforcement, ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ will help find an appropriate resource at the institution or in the local community.

If any impacted individual is interested in support with contacting law enforcement, they should contact ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s Title IX Coordinator, at 802-485-2144 or titleix@norwich.edu.

6. Resolution Options:

Impacted parties have a variety of procedural options for resolution of a complaint of sex-based misconduct at ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ:

  • Initiate a Complaint and Investigation: An impacted party may initiate a Complaint with the Title IX Office and request the Title IX Office open an investigation into the allegations. The assigned investigator(s) will interview parties and relevant witnesses, collect evidence, and write an investigation report. After the investigation is complete, a live hearing (2020 Regulations) with a Decision-maker will take place, and the Decision-maker will determine whether a violation of ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ policy occurred. This is a ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ administrative process, not a criminal or civil process.

  • Informal Resolution: An impacted party may seek to resolve the allegations through an Informal Resolution, according to the parameters set out in ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ Policies. All involved parties and the Title IX Coordinator must consent to Informal Resolution. Informal Resolution is a ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ administrative process, not a criminal or civil process. ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ offers several approaches to Informal Resolution:

    • Supportive Resolution: The ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ can provide individualized support measures designed to maintain or restore the impacted individual’s access to the ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s education program and activities. See below for a list of possible supportive measures. For more information on supportive measures, see Policy or contact the Title IX Coordinator at Phone or Email.
    • Educational Conversation: The Title IX Coordinator can resolve the allegations informally by having a conversation with the person alleged to have committed the policy violation to discuss the allegations and institutional expectations. If the impacted individual wishes to have this conversation, the Title IX Coordinator may accompany them, if desired.
    • Accepted Responsibility: The person alleged to have committed the policy violation is willing to accept responsibility for violating policy and accept sanctions, and the impacted individual and ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ accepts the resolution terms.
    • Alternative Resolution: Could include, but is not limited to mediation, shuttle negotiation, restorative practices, and facilitated dialogue as a means to reaching an agreed-upon resolution.

    If the impacted party chooses to initiate an investigation, Informal Resolution is available at any time during an investigation (see above) prior to a final determination. No investigation is required, though, to have access to Informal Resolution options.

  • No Action Taken: Unless an imminent and serious threat to the health or safety of the impacted individual, or the wider ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ community exists, if the impacted individual declines to pursue the Resolution options to resolve the allegations of sex-based harassment, ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ will provide support but not pursue resolution. The impacted individual may pursue any of the above resolutions at any time.
     

Impacted individuals may also seek criminal charges or civil remedies, outside the administrative resolution options ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ offers, as outlined above. For more information on criminal charges or civil remedies please reach out to Public Safety at 802-485-2525 or the Title IX Coordinator at 802-485-2144 or titleix@norwich.edu.

7. Protection Orders

The Title IX Coordinator, Public Safety or local law enforcement can provide information for obtaining a protection order, if desired. A protection order, imposed by a court, would prohibit proximity and/or contact between individuals.

Reporting

To make informed choices, all parties should be aware of confidentiality and privacy considerations, as well as institutional mandatory reporting requirements.
Confidential Reporting: A confidential resource is not required to share information about disclosures of sex-based harassment with ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ. If an impacted individual would like the details of an incident to be kept confidential, they may speak with the following:
 

Confidential Employees
  • Health Center at 802-485-2552. Regular business hours, M-F (closed 12-1) Saturday 8-12 pm
  • Counseling & Wellness Center at 802-485-2134. Regular business hours, M-F, After-hours Crisis-Line at 802-793-3093
  • University Chaplain at 802-485-2128. Regular business hours, M-F

In addition, impacted individuals may speak with professionals unaffiliated with ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ without concern that Policy will require them to disclose information to the institution without permission:

  • Licensed professional counselors and other medical providers
  • Local rape crisis counselors
  • Domestic violence resources
  • Local or state assistance agencies
  • Clergy/Chaplains
  • Attorneys

Mandated Reporting: All employees not designated as confidential above are mandated reporters. This means they are required to disclosures about sex-based misconduct with the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator will reach out to offer support and the opportunity to initiate a complaint to the impacted party, but the impacted party can choose whether to respond or participate in any meeting or process.

SUPPORTIVE MEASURES AND RIGHTS IN THE RESOLUTION PROCESS

SUPPORTIVE MEASURES

  • ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ will assist any impacted party with accessing counseling, advocacy services, health care, legal support, student financial aid, and visa and immigration assistance, both on campus and in the community.
  • The Title IX Coordinator will discuss the availability of supportive measures after an alleged incident of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. No complaint or investigation, either campus or criminal, needs to occur before this option is available. Such measures may include, but are not limited to:
    • Referral to counseling, medical, and/or other healthcare services
    • Referral to the Employee Assistance Program
    • Referral to community-based service providers
    • Visa and immigration assistance
    • Student financial aid counseling
    • Altering campus housing assignment(s)
    • Altering work arrangements for employees or student-employees
    • Safety planning
    • Providing campus safety escorts
    • Implementing contact restrictions (no contact orders) between the Parties
    • Academic support, extensions of deadlines, or other course/program-related adjustments
    • Trespass
    • Timely warnings
    • Class schedule modifications, withdrawals, or leaves of absence
    • Increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus
    • Any other actions deemed appropriate by the Title IX Coordinator

RIGHTS OF PARTIES IN THE NORWICH TITLE IX RESOLUTION PROCESS

Under the Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct policy and procedures, the parties have the right to:

  • An equitable investigation and resolution of all credible allegations of prohibited discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and Other Prohibited Conduct, when reported in good faith to ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ officials.
  • A fundamentally fair resolution as defined in ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ procedures.
  • Timely written notice of all alleged violations, including the identity of the parties involved (if known), the specific misconduct being alleged, the date and location of the alleged misconduct (if known), the implicated Policies and procedures, and possible sanctions.
  • Be able to select an Advisor of their choice to accompany and assist the party in all meetings and/or interviews associated with the Resolution Process.
  • Have ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ policy and procedures followed without material deviation.
  • Be treated with respect by ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ officials.
  • Have ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ Public Safety, and/or other ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ officials respond promptly to alleged policy violations.
  • Have ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ maintain supportive measures for as long as necessary, ensuring they remain confidential, provided confidentiality does not impair the institution’s ability to provide the supportive measures or comply with the law.
  • Preservation of confidentiality/privacy, to the extent possible and permitted by law.

These rights are some of the most important, but not the only rights provided by ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ policy. For a full list of rights, please see ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy