Sexual Misconduct Resources and Education

You’re Not Alone.
If you fear for your safety, please call 911 right away for emergency service. If you need immediate and confidential help, please call: The Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Eastern Connecticut Hotline: (888) 999-5545 or the Safe Futures Hotline: (888) 774-2900.

You have rights.  You have choices.  You have advocates.

These web pages are intended to provide all members of the Three Rivers Campus Community with resources to help better understand what sexual misconduct is, and what can be done if you or someone you know has suffered from any of its forms.

Determining Sanctions for Offenders

Once the investigation concludes, the Dean and/or a Disciplinary Hearing Panel will review the findings to determine if the accused is more likely than not responsible for sexual misconduct. This page will explain the range of possible sanctions for offenders and how they are applied.

If you are an employee, please contact Louise Summa, the Director of Human Resources, or your union representative for more information on the resolution options available.

Sanctions Before and During an Investigation

Interim Restrictions and Suspensions

Once information of a possible violation is received, the Dean of Students may immediately place restrictions on or suspend an accused student on an interim basis. This action shall only be taken if in the judgment of the Dean, the continued presence or full participation of the student poses a danger to persons or property, or if the student is an ongoing threat of disrupting the academic process.

“Interim restrictions” are limitations on the Student’s participation in certain College functions and activities, access to certain locations on campus or access to certain persons, that do not prevent the Student from continuing to pursue his/her academic program.

  • Students placed under interim restrictions shall be provided written reasons by the Dean.
  • The decision of the Dean regarding interim restrictions shall be final.

“Interim suspension” is the temporary separation of the Student from the College that involves the denial of all privileges, including entrance to College premises.

    • A student suspended on an interim basis shall be provided written reasons for the suspension
    • A student suspended on an interim basis and shall be entitled to an administrative conference or a hearing as soon as possible, normally within ten (10) calendar days from the date the interim suspension was imposed.
    • The decision of the Dean regarding an interim suspension shall be final.

Sanctions after an Investigation

For Offenses Not Warranting Expulsion

If upon the conclusion of the investigation, the Dean determines that a sanction of less than suspension or expulsion is appropriate, the Dean shall schedule an administrative conference with the Student.  The Student shall be given reasonable notice of the time and place of the conference.  At the administrative conference, the student shall have the opportunity to present information for the Dean’s consideration. At the conclusion of the administrative conference, the Dean shall determine whether it is more likely than not that the Student has violated the Policy and, if so, impose a sanction less than suspension or expulsion. The Dean shall provide the Student with a written explanation for the determination. The decision of the Dean shall be final.

Sanctions in these cases may include:

  • Warning – a written notice to the Student indicating that he or she has engaged in conduct that is in violation of the Student Code, and that any repetition of such conduct or other conduct that violates this Code is likely to result in more serious sanctions
  • Probation – a status that indicates either (a) serious misconduct not warranting expulsion, suspension, or removal of College privileges, or (b) repetition of misconduct after a warning has been imposed
  • Removal of College Privileges – restrictions on Student access to certain locations, functions and/or activities

For Offenses Warranting Expulsion

If upon the conclusion of the Dean’s investigation, the Dean determines that there is reason to believe the Student has committed a violation of any part of Section I.D. of this Code and, after considering both the violation and the prior conduct record of the Student, that a sanction of suspension or expulsion is appropriate, the Dean shall provide the Student with reasonable written notice of a meeting and shall inform the Student that his/her failure to attend the meeting or to respond to the notice may result in the imposition of the maximum permissible sanction. At the meeting, the Dean shall provide the Student with a written statement that shall include the following:

  • a concise statement of the alleged facts;
  • the provision(s) of Section I.D. that appears to have been violated;
  • the maximum permissible sanction;
  • and a statement that the student may resolve the matter by mutual agreement with the Dean, or may request a hearing by notifying the Dean in writing, which must be received by 5:00 pm on the following business day.

If the Student requests a hearing, he/she is entitled to the following:

  • to be heard within five (5) days or as soon as reasonably possible, by an impartial party or panel whose members shall be appointed by the Dean;
  • if the Dean appoints an impartial panel, to have a Student on the panel if requested by the Student;
  • to appear in person and to have an advisor who not shall attend as a representative of the Student. However, if there is pending at the time of the hearing a criminal matter pertaining to the same incident that is the subject of the hearing, a lawyer may be present for the sole purpose of observing the proceedings and advising the Student concerning the effect of the proceedings on the pending criminal matter;
  • to hear and to question the information presented;
  • to present information, to present witnesses, and to make a statement on his or her behalf;
  • and to receive a written decision following the hearing.

Disciplinary Hearing Rights

If a disciplinary hearing is held, both the alleged victim and the alleged offender are guaranteed the following rights:

  • At any meeting or proceeding, both the alleged victim and accused may be accompanied by an advisor or support person of the student’s choice provided the advisor or support person does not cause a scheduled meeting or hearing to be delayed or postponed;
  • The alleged victim of sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner or domestic violence is entitled to request that disciplinary proceedings begin promptly;
  • Any hearing regarding an accusation of sexual misconduct, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, intimate partner or domestic violence shall be conducted by an impartial hearing party or panel trained in issues relating to sexual misconduct, sexual, intimate partner and domestic violence;
  • In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the accused and the alleged victim have the right to keep their identities confidential;
  • Normally no later than within one business day of the conclusion of a hearing, receive a written report from a CSCU Official indicating the determination of the impartial party or panel and the sanction(s) imposed on the accused student, if any;
  • Request review of the decision of the impartial panel or party.