Sexual Violence Response Policy

In accordance with the Students' Bill of Rights, reporting individuals shall have the right to pursue one or more of the options below at the same time, or to choose not to participate in any of the options below:

To disclose confidentially the incident to one of the following UB officials, who by law may maintain confidentiality, and can assist in obtaining services (more information on confidential report is available in the Options for Confidentially Disclosing Sexual Violence policy): 

• Anonymously via the Sexual Assault Anonymous Report Form or by calling the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion anonymously at (716) 645-2266
• UB's Counseling Services (for UB students)
• UB's Employee Assistance Program (for UB employees)
• Individuals serving in a pastoral role under Campus Ministries
• UB physicians, licensed medical professionals or supervised interns when they are engaged in a physician/patient relationship

To disclose confidentially the incident and obtain services from the New York State, New York City or county hotlines:   http://www.opdv.ny.gov/help/dvhotlines.html.

Additional disclosure and assistance options are catalogued by the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and presented in several languages: http://www.opdv.ny.gov/help/index.html (or by calling 1-800-942-6906), and assistance can also be obtained through:

• Crisis Services of Erie County:  (716) 834-3131;
• Legal Momentum: https://www.legalmomentum.org/
• NYSCASA: http://nyscasa.org/get-help/
• NYSCADV: http://www.nyscadv.org/
• Pandora’s Project: http://www.pandys.org/lgbtsurvivors.html
• GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project: http://www.glbtqdvp.org/ and
• RAINN: https://www.rainn.org/get-help
• Safe Horizons:  http://www.safehorizon.org/
  (note that these hotlines are for crisis intervention, resources, and referrals, and are not reporting mechanisms, meaning that disclosure on a call to a hotline does not provide any information to the campus. Reporting individuals are encouraged to additionally contact a campus confidential or private resource so that the campus can take appropriate action in these cases).

To disclose the incident to one of the following college officials who can offer privacy and provide information about remedies, accommodations, evidence preservation, and how to obtain resources.  Those officials will also provide information contained in the Students' Bill of Rights, including the right to choose when and where to report, to be protected by the institution from retaliation, and to receive assistance and resources from the institution.  These university officials will disclose that they are private and not confidential resources, and they may still be required by law and university policy to inform one or more university officials about the incident, including but not limited to the Title IX Coordinator.  They will notify reporting individuals that the criminal justice process uses different standards of proof and evidence than internal procedures, and questions about the penal law or criminal process should be directed to law enforcement or district attorney:

• Title IX Coordinator at (716) 645-2266;
• the University Police Department (available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week) at (716) 645-2222;
• the Student Conduct and Advocacy (when a UB student is the accused); and
• UB's Office of Employee Relations:  (716) 645-7777 (when a UB employee is the accused).

To file a criminal complaint with the University Police Department, with local law enforcement and/or state police:

• University Police Department, Bissell Hall, (716) 645-2222;
• For off-campus emergencies call 911;
• Town of Amherst Police Department, 500 John James Audubon Pkwy, Amherst, NY 14228; (716) 689-1311;
• City of Buffalo Police Department E District, 2767 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215; (716) 851-4444;
• State police 24-hour hotline to report sexual assault on a NY college campus: 1-844-845-7269.

To file a report of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking, and/or talk to the Title IX Coordinator for information and assistance. Reports will be investigated in accordance with University policy and the reporting individual's identity shall remain private at all times if said reporting individual wishes to maintain privacy. If a reporting individual wishes to keep his/her identity anonymous, he or she may call the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion anonymously to discuss the situation and available options:

• Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, 406 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260; Tel. (716) 645-2266; diversity@buffalo.edu

When the accused is an employee, a reporting individual may also report the incident to the UB's Office of Employee Relations or may request that one of the above referenced confidential or private employees assist in reporting to Employee Relations.  Disciplinary proceedings will be conducted in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements. When the accused is an employee of an affiliated entity or vendor of the university, university officials will, at the request of the reporting individual, assist in reporting to the appropriate office of the vendor or affiliated entity and, if the response of the vendor or affiliated entity is not sufficient, assist in obtaining a persona non grata letter, subject to legal requirements and UB policy.

• Office of Employee Relations, 120 Crofts Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260; Tel. (716) 645-7777. 

You may withdraw your complaint or involvement from the University process at any time.

UB shall ensure that, at a minimum, at the first instance of disclosure by a reporting individual to a UB representative, the following information shall be presented to the reporting individual:  “You have the right to make a report to University Police, local law enforcement, and/or State Police or choose not to report; to report the incident to your institution; to be protected by the institution from retaliation for reporting an incident; and to receive assistance and resources from your institution.”

To obtain effective intervention services.

• Counseling Services, 120 Richmond Quad, Buffalo, NY 14261; Tel. (716) 645-2720- provides no-cost counseling and assistance to UB students.
• Wellness Education Services, 114 Student Union, Buffalo, NY 14260; Tel. (716) 645-2837– provides assistance that includes rape and sexual assault prevention and support and LGBTQ wellness.
• Employee Assistance Program, 110 HRD Building, Buffalo, NY 14260; Tel. (716) 645-4461 - free & voluntary information, assessments,  and resources for UB employees, and referrals to long-term counseling when necessary.
• Student Health Services, Michael Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214; Tel. (716) 829-3316 - services include emergency contraception and sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and treatment. 

Within 96 hours of an assault, you can get a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (commonly referred to as a rape kit) at a hospital. While there should be no charge for a rape kit, there may be a charge for medical or counseling services off campus and, in some cases, insurance may be billed for services. You are encouraged to let hospital personnel know if you do not want your insurance policyholder to be notified about your access to these services. The New York State Office of Victim Services may be able to assist in compensating victims/survivors for health care and counseling services, including emergency funds. More information may be found here:  http://www.ovs.ny.gov, or by calling 1-800-247-8035..

To best preserve evidence, victims/survivors should avoid showering, washing, changing clothes, combing hair, drinking, eating, or doing anything to alter physical appearance until after a physical exam has been completed.

• When the accused is a student, to have UB issue a “No Contact Order,” consistent with university policy and procedure, meaning that continuing to contact the protected individual is a violation of university policy subject to additional conduct charges; if the accused and a protected person observe each other in a public place, it is the responsibility of the accused to leave the area immediately and without directly contacting the protected person.  Both the accused/respondent and reporting individual may request a prompt review of the need for and terms of a No Contact Order, consistent with UB policy. Parties may submit evidence in support of their request.
• To have assistance from the University Police Department or other UB officials in initiating legal proceedings in family court or civil court, including but not limited to obtaining an Order of Protection or, if outside of New York State, an equivalent protective or restraining order.
• To receive a copy of the Order of Protection or equivalent and have an opportunity to meet or speak with a UB official who can explain the order and answer questions about it, including information from the Order about the accused’s responsibility to stay away from the protected person(s); that burden does not rest on the protected person(s).
• To an explanation of the consequences for violating these orders, including but not limited to arrest, additional conduct charges, and interim suspension.
• To have assistance from the University Police Department in effecting an arrest when an individual violates an Order of Protection or, if outside of New York State, an equivalent protective or restraining order within the jurisdiction of the University Police Department or, if outside of the jurisdiction, to call on and assist local law enforcement in effecting an arrest for violating such an order.
• When the accused is a student and presents a continuing threat to the health and safety of the community, to have the accused subject to interim suspension pending the outcome of a conduct process.  Parties may request a prompt review of the need for and terms of an interim suspension.
• When the accused is not a student but is a member of the University community and presents a continuing threat to the health and safety of the community, to subject the accused to interim measures in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements, employee handbooks, and UB policies and rules.
• When the accused is not a member of the university community, to have assistance from the University Police Department or other UB officials in obtaining a persona non grata letter, subject to legal requirements and UB policy.
• To obtain reasonable and available interim measures and accommodations that effect a change in academic, housing, employment, transportation, or other applicable arrangements in order to ensure safety, prevent retaliation, and avoid an ongoing hostile environment. Parties may request a prompt review of the need for and terms of any interim measures and accommodations that directly affect them. While reporting individuals may request accommodations through any of the offices referenced in this policy, the following office can serve as a point to assist with these measures:
  • the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, 406 Capen Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260; Tel. (716) 645-2266; Email: diversity@buffalo.edu

To request that student conduct charges be filed against the accused. Conduct proceedings are governed by the procedures set forth in the  UB Code of Conduct as well as federal and New York State law, including the due process provisions of the United States and New York State Constitutions.

Throughout conduct proceedings, the respondent and the reporting individual will have:

• The same opportunity to be accompanied by an advisor of their choice who may assist and advise the parties throughout the conduct process and any related hearings or meetings. Participation of the advisor in any proceeding is governed by federal law and UB Code of Conduct;
• The right to a prompt response to any complaint and to have their complaint investigated and adjudicated in an impartial, timely and thorough manner by individuals who receive annual training in conducting investigations of sexual violence, the effects of trauma, impartiality, the rights of the respondent, including the right to a presumption that the respondent is “not responsible” until a finding of responsibility is made, and other issues related to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
• The right to an investigation and process conducted in a manner that recognizes the legal and policy requirements of due process (including fairness, impartiality, and a meaningful opportunity to be heard) and is not conducted by individuals with a conflict of interest.
• The right to receive advance written or electronic notice of the date, time, and location of any meeting or hearing they are required to or are eligible to attend. Accused individuals will also be told the factual allegations concerning the violation, a reference to the specific code of conduct provisions alleged to have been violated, and possible sanctions.
• The right to have a conduct process run concurrently with a criminal justice investigation and proceeding, except for temporary delays as requested by external municipal entities while law enforcement gathers evidence. Temporary delays should not last more than 10 days except when law enforcement specifically requests and justifies a longer delay.
• The right to offer evidence during an investigation and to review available relevant evidence in the case file (or otherwise held by the University).
• The right to present evidence and testimony at a hearing, where appropriate.
• The right to a range of options for providing testimony via alternative arrangements, including telephone/videoconferencing or testifying with a room partition.
• The right to exclude prior sexual history with persons other than the other party in the conduct process or their own mental health diagnosis or treatment from admittance in university disciplinary stage that determines responsibility. Past findings of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault may be admissible in the disciplinary stage that determines sanction.
• The right to ask questions of the decision maker and via the decision maker indirectly request responses from other parties and any other witnesses present.
• The right to make an impact statement during the point of the proceeding where the decision maker is deliberating on appropriate sanctions.
• The right to simultaneous (among the parties) written or electronic notification of the outcome of a conduct proceeding, including the decision, any sanctions, and the rationale for the decision and any sanctions.
• The right to written or electronic notice about the sanction(s) that may be imposed on the accused based upon the outcome of the conduct proceeding. For students found responsible for sexual assault, the available sanctions are suspension with additional requirements and expulsion/dismissal.
• Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination before a panel, which may include one or more students, that is fair and impartial and does not include individuals with a conflict of interest.
• The right to have access to a full and fair record of a student conduct hearing, which shall be preserved and maintained for at least five years.
  •     Student Conduct and Advocacy, 9 Norton Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260; Tel. (716) 645-6154
• The right to choose whether to disclose or discuss the outcome of a conduct hearing.
• The right to have all information obtained during the course of the conduct or judicial process be protected from public release until the appeals panel makes a final determination unless otherwise required by law.