Faculty and Staff Guide: Preventing and Responding to Sexual Harassment and Misconduct

University employees contribute to a campus environment that is healthy, safe, and free of sexual harassment/misconduct. Refer to this guide for awareness of prohibited conduct, options for responding, and available resources for impacted persons.

Recognizing Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and discriminatory harassment that is conduct or communication of a sexual nature that is unwelcome, that has or is likely to have a negative effect on a person, or the workplace or educational environment. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Sexual comments, jokes, propositions, or threats.
  • Sexually suggesstive or offensive images, gestures, sounds, or other conduct.
  • Unwanted physical contact or sexual violence (e.g. sexual assault, stalking, dating/intimate partner/relationship violence).
  • Offering benefits in exchange for sexual conduct, or threatening or taking adverse action for refusing sexual conduct.
  • Unwanted sexual attention or advances.
  • Sexual exploitation, including sharing intimate images or messages without consent.

Learn more about the applicable policies prohibiting the conduct and procedures for addressing reports/complaints.

How to Support a Student or Employee  

Step 1: Support 

Offer support.

  • Listen without judgment.
  • Do not ask for details.
  • Inform the person you may have a responsibility to report what they share to the EOTIX office.
  • Ask how you can help.

Suggested language:

“Thank you for sharing this with me. I’m sorry this happened. How can I help you?”

“Thank you for feeling you could reach out to me. Before you share further, I just want to inform you that I may need to report what you share with me to the EOTIX Office, but I still want to support you.”

Step 2: Refer

Connect them with resources.

  • Let them know they have options and support is available to help them navigate their options.
  • Connect them with the resources below.

Suggested language:

“I encourage you to connect with resources available to you for more support, including our campus advocate who is a confidential resource."

Step 3: Follow-up

Contact the EOTIX Office

  • Promptly notify the EOTIX Office and share all known details (e.g. names, dates, times, location, and nature of incident).
  • Inform them that they will be contacted by the EOTIX office staff.

Suggested language:

“I may have a duty to notify the EOTIX Office. Know they will reach out to you to offer assistance, reporting options, and resources. But you are not required to provide them with information nor participate in any investigative process that might occur."

Email EOTIX at eotitleix@mnsu.edu or call 507-389-2986

Reporting Sexual Harassment or Misconduct  

University Complaint

Complaints against students or employees can be submitted:

Criminal Complaint

All University community members are encouraged to report criminal conduct to law enforcement. Reporting to law enforcement will not affect the ability to file a complaint through the University.

  • Mankato Police: 911 or 507-387-8791
  • University Security can provide assistance with reporting to law enforcement: 507-389-2111

Support Services

On-Campus Confidential Resources

Off-Campus Resources

Contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX

Equal Opportunity & Title IX (EOTIX) is the designated office responsible for coordinating a response to and investigating reports of protected class discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct by University community members.

Any University community member who knows of, or receives information about, or has experienced sexual harassment or sexual misconduct is strongly encouraged to report promptly to the EOTIX office. Administrators, supervisors, and designated Campus Security Authorities (CSA) have a duty to report.

EOTIX staff will ensure that:

  • Individuals are provided with options to report and address their concerns;
  • Individuals are provided with information about supportive measures (e.g. academic modifications, housing relocation, no contact directives, etc.), regardless of whether they choose to make a report/complaint;
  • Individuals are provided with information about available resources (e.g. counseling, advocacy, medical care, etc.).

In instances where the University determines a need to act when a request for no action has been made, EOTIX will investigate and take appropriate action, taking care to protect the identity of the involved parties in accordance with the procedures.

Promoting a Safe and Inclusive Environment

Promote the University's mission to provide equal opportunity for all students and employees, and eliminate sexual misconduct in all its forms!

  • Model respect, civility, trust, and integrity to all students and employees.
  • Champion opportunities to learn about diversity across campus.
  • Promote a culture of respect by constructively responding to inappropriate behavior, comments, or jokes.
  • Participate in opportunities to broaden understanding of different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
  • Foster appreciation for diversity and encourage understanding among all students and employees.
  • Requesting training for your department or staff: Email EOTIX at eotitleix@mnsu.edu.

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Mankato, MN 56001
1-507-389-1000
1-800-722-0544

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