4.4.1 : Introduction
Greenville University is a Christ-centered institution of higher education that is committed to the biblical principle that all human beings are created in the image of God. Because of that belief, the university is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities.
Greenville University is also committed to maintaining and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment founded on the biblical principles of love and mutual respect. The University seeks to provide programs, activities, and an educational environment free from sex discrimination. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Illinois law, Greenville does not unlawfully discriminate based on sex in education programs or activities, including but not limited to recruitment, admissions, housing, athletic and extracurricular activities, discipline, distribution of financial assistance, distribution of institutional resources, hiring practices, employment, promotion, and policies. A relevant portion of Title IX states as follows:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or any activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
The University is committed to promoting respect for the bodily integrity of all persons, the virtues of chastity, and the sacredness of human sexuality. The University affirms that sexual relationships are designed by God to be expressed solely within a marriage between a man and a woman. Sexual activity outside the confines of marriage is inconsistent with biblical principles and is prohibited by university policies.
Sex discrimination, as used in this policy, means any form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX and its implementing regulations. Sex discrimination includes all forms of sexual violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment by or against university students, employees, or others in the University community. Sex discrimination is antithetical to the standards and ideals of our community and will not be tolerated. Greenville University recognizes the spiritual, moral, legal, physical, and psychological seriousness of all sex discrimination, regardless of the level of acquaintance between the parties, however casual. Greenville University aims to eradicate sex discrimination through education, training, clear policies, and serious consequences for violations of these policies.
Further, the University recognizes that sexual violence is a serious threat to the University community, is prohibited by Title IX, and is a criminal act. Therefore, the University is committed to providing the following to members of the University community:
1. A statement of expectations for behavior regarding community standards pertaining to sex discrimination.
2. Resources aimed at reducing the risk of sexual violence, including educational programs for men and women.
3. Intervention to offer support, information, and resources, including confidential assistance such as counseling if desired, following the report of sex discrimination.
4. Procedural options for resolving a report.
5. Student conduct and employee disciplinary procedures that address the needs of complainants and protect the rights of respondents.
The University will take immediate action to address sex discrimination and to promptly and equitably investigate complaints to eliminate the discrimination, prevent its reoccurrence, and address its effects. The University may also implement awareness and/or preventative measures.
Sex discrimination reports may result in criminal prosecution or civil liability. Any criminal prosecution will proceed separate and apart from any University investigation and disciplinary proceeding. The University will cooperate with any criminal investigation or prosecution of sexual assault incidents involving any member of the Greenville University community. At the request of law enforcement, the University may agree to defer its Title IX fact gathering until after the evidence gathering stage of a criminal investigation. The University will nevertheless communicate with the Complainant regarding Title IX rights and procedural options and may take interim measures to protect members of the University community. The University will promptly resume its Title IX fact gathering as soon as it is informed that law enforcement has completed its initial investigation. The University may not, by federal law, wait to address reports of sex discrimination until any external legal processes are resolved.
All sexual assault reports shall be treated with gravity, dignity, and justice throughout the process. Members of the University community should not do any of the following:
1. Pressure a Complainant to suppress a report of sex discrimination.
2. Cause a Complainant to believe that the Complainant is responsible for the commission of any crime against him/her
3. Communicate to any Complainant that the Complainant was contributorily negligent or assumed the risk of being assaulted by reason of circumstances, dress, or behavior; or
4. Communicate to any Complainant that the University would incur unwanted publicity because of a report of sex discrimination.