Syracuse University Policy on Nonconsensual Sexual Activity

Syracuse University is committed to the maintenance of an environment that is supportive of its primary educational mission and free from all exploitation and intimidation. The University will not tolerate rape, sexual assault, or other forms of nonconsensual sexual activity.

Syracuse University supports this policy for students, faculty, and staff through its educational prevention programs and its counseling and medical support services.

Syracuse University will enforce this policy through internal disciplinary procedures, security programs, and the encouragement of external prosecution of alleged offenders through appropriate external judicial forums. Violations of this policy shall include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Any form of nonconsensual sexual intercourse, committed by physical force, coercion, threat, or intimidation, actual or implied, by a person(s) known or unknown to the victim. Sexual intercourse can involve anal, oral or vaginal penetration.
2. Any actual or attempted nonconsensual sexual activity including, but not limited to: sexual intercourse, or sexual touching, committed without physical force, coercion, threat, or intimidation, exhibitionism, or sexual language of a threatening nature by a person(s) known or unknown to the victim.

Nonconsensual activity shall include, but not be limited to, situations where the victim is unable to consent because he/she is physically helpless, or is mentally incapacitated due to drug or alcohol consumption, or is unconscious, regardless of whether or not the consumption was with the victim's consent.

Victims of nonconsensual sexual activity are encouraged to file a complaint through any University office as soon as possible after the alleged incident.  Complaints may also be filed by parties not directly related to the University when a significant relationship to the mission and interests of the University can be shown.

Complaints against students will be forwarded to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for resolution within the University Conduct System.  Complaints against University employees will be forwarded to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources for resolution within the University's respective grievance procedure systems.

Members of the University community found to be in violation of this policy through the procedures and systems described in the preceding paragraph shall be subject to sanctions including suspension and permanent expulsion.

This policy shall supplement all other University policies relating to sexual abuse and harassment, all of which shall remain in effect. All policies shall be applied consistently in such a manner as to effectuate their collective purposes and may be amended from time to time as deemed necessary or desirable by the University.