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As a faculty or staff member, you may frequently encounter students who are under stress or going through a difficult time. Because students look up to you as mentors and trust your opinions and guidance, you can serve as a reliable source of information about the resources available to them.
The following information and resources are available to faculty members to help provide a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment at Ramapo College.
All faculty and staff are Mandatory Reporters. (Healthcare professionals in Health Services, Licensed Professional Counselors in Counseling Services, and Pastoral Counselors are exempt from this and maintain a confidential status.)
This means that when an incident of sexual misconduct is disclosed to a faculty or staff member, they must report it to the Director of Title IX to ensure the safety of the reporting individual and the larger campus.
All Mandatory Reporters must report sexual misconduct reported to them or observed by them, including the name of the Complainant and Respondent (if known), to the Director of Title IX within 24 hours. Additionally, any employee or person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse should immediately report this information to the State Central Registry (SCR) at 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873). If the child is in immediate danger call 911 or Ramapo Public Safety at extension 6666, and then the Registry.
For full definitions of these terms under college policy, please see the Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Kat McGee, Director of Title IX, ADA and Compliance Training (available during regular business hours)
Phone: (201) 684-7220
Office Location: D-104
kmcgee@ramapo.edu
The Public Safety Department (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Phone: (201) 684-6666
Office Location: C-102
If applicable, the Title IX Coordinator or the Public Safety Department will provide a copy of the Sexual Assault Survivor Intake Resource Form and/or the Sexual Violence Resource Packet.
Faculty are encouraged to consider including the following statement on their syllabi each semester. This Statement will assist students in making informed choices about whom they share information with as it pertains to incidents of sexual misconduct. Faculty are also encouraged to review this statement in class, as it sets the tone that 1) sexual misconduct and harassment are taken seriously at Ramapo; 2) these topics matter to Faculty; and 3) it is okay to ask for help. This can make a world of difference for our students.
“A Note on Sexual Misconduct
Ramapo College is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and productive learning environment and it is essential that we uphold its commitment to Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments of 1972 (hereafter “Title IX”), a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and gender in education programs and activities. Sexual misconduct includes sexual harassment, domestic and/or dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Anyone who has experienced sexual misconduct is encouraged to talk to someone about what happened, so they can get the support they need and the College can respond appropriately.
Students who wish to speak confidentially about an incident of sexual misconduct should contact the Counseling Center at 201-684-7522. For questions relating to students’ rights and resources under Title IX, or anyone who wishes to report an incident of sexual misconduct should contact the Office of Title IX at titleix@ramapo.edu or 201-684-6693. The Office of Title IX can offer resources and provide support, regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed. Further, in the event of an emergency, please contact the Public Safety Department at 201-684-6666.
As a faculty member, please note that I am required to report incidents of sexual misconduct and therefore cannot guarantee confidentiality. However, in an effort to respect every student’s privacy, I will only share the information with those who have a duty to respond.”
(Updated August 2024)
It is important to remember that faculty and staff members do not have a special privilege or ability to maintain the confidentiality of reports shared with them and should not promise confidentiality. However, you do have an opportunity to make a difference in the healing process during the initial conversation.
If a someone tells you tells you that they are a victim/survivor of sexual assault or violence, here are some positive ways in which to respond, as well as some others to avoid:
Public Safety and the Title IX Coordinator will ensure the victim/survivor is aware of information about on- and off-campus counseling services where they can receive additional support, including their options for reporting to the police and seeking medical attention.
Source: adapted from Fordham University
Affirmative consent (hereafter “consent”) is the voluntary, unambiguous, clear agreement in an act and understood by each party. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that the person has the consent of the other or others to engage in the sexual activity. Consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and may be withdrawn at any time before the completion of an act. A person may be incapable of consent due to physical or mental incapacitation, physical or mental disability, threat, coercion, the influence of alcohol or drugs, being asleep, or under the legal age of consent.
Affirmative consent (hereafter “consent”) is the voluntary, unambiguous, clear agreement in an act and understood by each party. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that the person has the consent of the other or others to engage in the sexual activity. Consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and may be withdrawn at any time before the completion of an act. A person may be incapable of consent due to physical or mental incapacitation, physical or mental disability, threat, coercion, the influence of alcohol or drugs, being asleep, or under the legal age of consent.
• Consent to one act does not infer or imply that a person is consenting to another act;
• Consent to an act on a prior occasion does not infer or imply consent to a current act;
• The existence of a dating relationship between the persons involved, or the fact of past sexual relations between them, should never by itself be assumed to be an indicator of consent.
• An individual’s silence or lack of protest does not infer or imply that they are consenting to an act,
• Consent must be clear and obvious by all partners, who have willingly and affirmatively chosen to participate without force, threat, or coercion, throughout the act;
• Incapacitated individuals, (physically, mentally, and/or due to alcohol or other drugs) are unable to consent.
The standard that shall be applied in College investigations under the Sexual Misconduct Policy is whether or not a reasonable person would have known, based on the facts and circumstances presented, that the other person was incapacitated and therefore, not capable of giving consent. A respondent cannot claim that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a defense or excuse for engaging in sexual misconduct.
If at any time consent is uncertain, the initiating party should stop and obtain verbal consent. The use of any force, coercion, threat, or intimidation negates consent.
It is important to note that in the evaluation of a complaint in a disciplinary process, it shall not be a valid excuse that the accused believed that the complainant consented to the sexual activity under either of the following circumstances:
Additionally, it shall not be a valid excuse that the accused believed that the complainant consented to the sexual activity if the accused knew or reasonably should have known that the complainant was unable to consent to the sexual activity under any of the following circumstances:
The College will use the reasonable person standard in determining whether or not the respondent knew or should have known given all facts and circumstances present at the time if any of the above conditions were met.
Source: Sexual Misconduct Policy
If you would like to request a training for your group of staff, faculty, or students, please email kmcgee@ramapo.edu with the information below:
Requests for trainings should be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance.
What’s in a Name: Creating a Supportive Environment in the Classroom for Students
Document prepared by the Name Committee
Originated by in 2017 Dr. Maya Poran, Associate Professor of Psychology
Many students identify themselves with names that are not matching those on the official rosters and college forms, as well as other legal documents. This is very common for students who are transgender or non-binary, although there are many other reasons that someone may have a name that does not match the legal documents. These include religious and spiritual needs, traditions from various cultures and international experiences, as well as other personal and unique needs in relation to identity.
Chaired by Dr. Rick Brown (Director of the Center for Student Involvement), the Name Committee works to
address issues regarding names, pronouns, and gendered title markers (Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss). The committee’s goal is for all members of Ramapo College to be recognized, included, and given the opportunity to identify themselves as they wish.
Some students indicate that being mis-named and mis-gendered is a source of stress, anxiety, and creates an
environment in which it is a challenge to learn and focus on class material. This document will help you create and maintain a positive and affirming environment that will help all students feel welcome.
Create a space in the classroom for chosen names:
Make it known that you are aware, and supportive, of a student’s right to define themselves. A simple statement of your commitment to creating a safe environment for all students and working to be inclusive will go a long way. Include the statement on your syllabus and think of including at the bottom of your emails. Here is a sample
statement that you are welcome to use or edit as you see fit: “I am committed to creating a safe environment for all students by being inclusive. This includes using the name and pronouns a student uses, using gender inclusive language, and not making assumptions about one’s gender identity, religion, national origin, or other identities.”
Inform students of Used-Name option at Ramapo:
Let your students know that you wish to work with them to have their name fully recognized. As an option for
students who use a name that differs from their legal name, Ramapo College’s Used Name Policy provides an
opportunity for community members to identify themselves as they wish in official campus communications and
documents (such as email, rosters, and so on). After filling out the short Used Name Application (located on the
Dean of Students website) a member of the Name Committee will contact the student to discuss the process.
Gender Pronouns
Some faculty and staff members have chosen to include their used pronouns in their email signature as a way to help build inclusivity, bring awareness to gender identity, and to reject assumptions and judgments. Including used pronouns within one’s email signature reduces accidental mis-gendering. The goal of adding used pronouns to one’s email signature is to lift society from operating in assumptions and to punctuate how important using one’s correct pronouns is to our community of learners. You may wish to update your email signature and syllabus with your used pronouns. If you order a College nametag, you may wish to include your used pronouns on your nametag.
Example:
Debra Lukacsko
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Associate Director of Health Services
Nurse Practitioner
Helpful information can also be found at www.mypronouns.org
Customize Your Roster
In the beginning of the semester, you can ask students to fill out a basic information card that includes their names and gender pronouns if they wish (note: not all students are comfortable sharing their gender pronouns). You can then customize your own records (paper, electronic, etc.) so that students are properly represented.
Lead By Example
When introducing yourself to the class, you can say who you are, share your pronouns, as well as what you would like to be called. In addition, work to address students by their names and not general gendered language such as “ladies and gentlemen” or “guys” or gendered titles (Ms., Miss, Mrs., Mr.). You can model using gender neutral titles such as “Mx.”
Making a Mistake
If you make a mistake, apologize and move on! Importantly, highlight awareness of a mistake and do not dwell
there. This is an ongoing effort.
For further information on Name and Gender Pronouns/Gender Inclusive language and education, or the Name
Committee, please contact:
Marie-Danielle Attis, Prevention Education Specialist (mattissp@ramapo.edu)
Dr. Rick Brown, Director, Center for Student Involvement (rbrown2@ramapo.edu)
Dr. Emily Leskinen, Assistant Professor of Social Science (eleskine@ramapo.edu)
Dr. Maya Poran, Associate Professor of Psychology (mporan@ramapo.edu)
Melissa Van Der Wall, Dean of Students (mvanderw@ramapo.edu)
Dr. Leah Warner, Associate Professor of Social Psychology (lwarner@ramapo.edu)
Learn more about free resources available to all faculty and members.
Employee and Student Rights:
Sexual Misconduct Policy
New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace (DOC) (PDF)
Model Procedures For Internal Complaints Alleging Discrimination in the Workplace (DOC) (PDF)
Discrimination Complaint Processing Form (PDF)
Student Rights:
New Jersey Sexual Assault Victim’s Bill of Rights
On Campus Resources:
Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance:
https://www.ramapo.edu/affirmaction/
Center for Health and Counseling Services:
https://www.ramapo.edu/chcs/
Office of Violence Prevention:
https://www.ramapo.edu/student-affairs/ovp/
The Women’s Center:
https://www.ramapo.edu/womenscenter/
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