Eastern Oklahoma State College takes acts of sexual violence and sexual harassment seriously. Eastern promptly and thoroughly investigates and resolves complaints alleging sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence, including sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence. Eastern’s policies and resources related to these issues, as well as an online complaint form and an overview of the complaint process, can be found on this webpage.
For Students:
London White
Director of Student Life
Library 137
918.465.1818
lwhite@alloccasionsgiftreviews.com
For Employees:
Pam Denny
Interim Human Resources Director
Hill Library 143
918.465.1777
pdenny2@alloccasionsgiftreviews.com
Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical contact or communication of a sexual nature when:
Sexual harassment does not include verbal expressions or written materials that are relevant and appropriately related to course subject matter or curriculum, and this policy shall not abridge academic freedom or the college’s educational mission.
Sexual harassment can create a hostile environment. Sexual harassment should be reported even if it doesn’t reach the point of creating a hostile environment. A hostile environment is defined as subjectively and objectively offensive and sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim’s educational, employment or college environment.
Sexual harassment could occur off-campus and still have an effect on an individual’s educational, employment or college environment as well as create a hostile environment. A one-time non-consensual contact could also create a hostile environment.
Examples of behavior that could be sexual harassment:
Sexual violence is physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent. A number of different acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including sexual misconduct, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence.
Sexual misconduct is a broad term encompassing any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. Sexual misconduct may vary in severity and consists of a range of behavior or attempted behavior including, but not limited to, the following examples of prohibited conduct:
a. Unwelcome sexual touching/exposure
The touch of an unwilling or non-consensual person’s intimate parts (such as genitalia, groin, breast, buttocks, mouth or clothing covering same); touching an unwilling person with one’s own intimate parts; or forcing an unwilling person to touch another’s intimate parts. This also includes indecent exposure and voyeurism.
b. Non-consensual sexual assault
Unwilling or non-consensual penetration of any bodily opening with an object or body part. This includes, but is not limited to, penetration of a bodily opening without effective consent through the use of coercion.
c. Forced sexual assault
Unwilling or non-consensual penetration of any bodily opening with any object or body part that is committed either by force, threat, intimidation, or through exploitation of another’s mental or physical condition (such as lack of consciousness, incapacitation due to drugs or alcohol, age, or disability) of which the assailant was aware or should have been aware.
Effective Consent is:
Further:
Individuals who commit acts of sexual misconduct assume responsibility for their behavior and must understand that the use of alcohol or other drugs does not reduce accountability for their actions.
Examples of sexual misconduct violations:
Stalking is to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.
Stalking is defined to mean two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person's property.
Substantial emotional distress would include significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.
Stalking is the willful, malicious, and repeated following or harassment of a person in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to feel frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested and actually causes the person being followed or harassed to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened harassed or molested. Stalking also means a course of conduct composed of a series of two or more separate acts over a period of time, demonstrating a continuity of purpose or unwelcomed contact with a person that is initiated or continued without the consent of the individual or in disregard of the expressed desire of the individual that the contact be avoided or discontinued. This may include repeatedly contacting another person (through any means, such as in person, by phone, electronic means, text messaging, etc.), following another person, or having others contact another person.
Any actions that a stalker takes to contact, harass, track or frighten another that could include repeatedly:
Stalking can occur by someone that is known casually, a current boyfriend or girlfriend, someone dated in the past or a stranger.
Definition consistent with Violence Against Women Act Volume 79 CFR and Oklahoma state statute.
Dating violence is committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with another person. The existence of such relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
Dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. Dating violence does not include acts that meet the definition of domestic violence.
Definition consistent with Violence Against Women Act Volume 79 CFR.
Domestic violence is a crime of violence committed by a:
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threat of actions that influence another person.
Definition consistent with Violence Against Women Act Volume 79 CFR.
The college will not tolerate retaliation against a person who, in good faith, brings a complaint forward. Retaliation against an individual who has brought a complaint forward or against an individual who has participated in an investigation or conduct process is prohibited.
The following are the definitions as described in Oklahoma State Statues and not necessarily the definition the college has for these terms.
These definitions can be found in the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act and in the Domestic Abuse Reporting Act.
1. Where the victim is under sixteen (16) years of age;
2. Where the victim is incapable through mental illness or any other unsoundness of mind, whether temporary or permanent, of giving legal consent;
3. Where force or violence is used or threatened, accompanied by apparent power of execution to the victim or to another person;
4. Where the victim is intoxicated by a narcotic or anesthetic agent, administered by or with the privity of the accused as a means of forcing the victim to submit;
5. Where the victim is at the time unconscious of the nature of the act and this fact is known to the accused;
6. Where the victim submits to sexual intercourse under the belief that the person committing the act is a spouse, and this belief is induced by artifice, pretense, or concealment practiced by the accused or by the accused in collusion with the spouse with intent to induce that belief. In all cases of collusion between the accused and the spouse to accomplish such act, both the spouse and the accused, upon conviction, shall be deemed guilty of rape;
7. Where the victim is under the legal custody or supervision of a state agency, a federal agency, a county, a municipality or a political subdivision and engages in sexual intercourse with a state, federal, county, municipal or political subdivision employee or an employee of a contractor of the state, the federal government, a county, a municipality or a political subdivision that exercises authority over the victim; or
8. Where the victim is at least sixteen (16) years of age and is less than twenty (20) years of age and is a student, or under the legal custody or supervision of any public or private elementary or secondary school, junior high or high school, or public vocational school, and engages in sexual intercourse with a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and is an employee of the same school system.
Rape is an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a male or female who is the spouse of the perpetrator if force or violence is used or threatened, accompanied by apparent power of execution to the victim or to another person.
All forms of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, should be reported, no matter the severity. Eastern’s primary concern is safety; therefore individuals should not be deterred from reporting even if the use of alcohol or other drugs was involved. Eastern encourages victims of sexual violence to talk to someone about what happened so they can receive support and so the college can respond appropriately.
In the event of a sexual assault, the victim is encouraged to report the crime to Campus Police, if the crime occurred on campus, or to the appropriate authority if the crime occurred off campus. Victims should take care to preserve evidence of a sexual assault, which is of paramount importance in offering proof of the crime. For example, victims should not bathe or wash their clothing. The victim of a sexual assault also should seek medical attention. To aid in their investigation and to gather information necessary to apprehend the assailant, Campus Police will interview the victim.
Victims of Sexual Assault or Sexual Battery may call the EOSC Campus Police at 918-448-2365 to report the crime. Officers will then take an initial report, secure any evidence, begin an investigation, and contact Campus officials.
Prosecution of the assailant is a matter for the victim to consider apart from reporting the crime. The information will be treated with the confidentiality afforded any victim of crime. Students also may report the crime to staff within the residence halls, the Student Life Director, or to other EOSC staff who shall inform the Campus Police and Student Affairs. Student Services staff can assist victims with filing criminal charges.
Please know that the information reported can be helpful in supporting other reports and preventing further incidents.
An online student complaint form is also available. Please note confidential reporting limits the college’s ability to respond to incidents.
Once you have filed a complaint with the Title IX Coordinator
We want you to be knowledgeable about the process that occurs once a formal complaint is filed. The following describes the investigation process, the hearing and the outcome of the hearing. The Title IX Coordinator will be available to explain the process as requested. The process will be prompt, fair, and impartial. This means the process will be completed within a reasonable time frame as designated below and without undue delay. The process will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the College’s policies and will be transparent to all parties. The process will be conducted by officials who do not have conflict of interest or bias for the complainant or respondent.
In addition to addressing sexual assault through the criminal justice system, cases involving sexual misconduct may be assigned to the Student Life Director or a Judicial Board. Individuals found guilty of sexual misconduct can face a number of sanctions including fines, disciplinary probation, residence hall reassignment or eviction, disciplinary suspension or expulsion. Further information regarding the disciplinary process may be obtained by contacting the Student Life Director at 918-465-1818.
In addition to the information provided above, it is the policy of EOSC to provide the accuser and the accused the same opportunities to have others present during disciplinary proceedings. Requests to have others present should be made to the Student Life Director.
It is also the policy of EOSC to inform both the accuser and accused of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceedings from a sex offense. This includes the institution’s final determination and sanctions, if any, against the accused. The Office of Student Services shall coordinate this notification.
In cases of alleged sexual misconduct, the accuser shall have the right to request changes in their academic and living situations, if such changes are reasonably available. The Office of Student Services will receive, review, and process all such requests.
1. Any member of the College community may file charges against a student for violation of the Student Code. A charge shall be prepared in writing and directed to the Student Life Director or a member of the residence hall staff. Any charge should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place. Delayed reports may make resolution more difficult or impossible.
2. Students charged with violating the University Code, rules, or regulations will be disciplined according to established judicial procedures outlined below.
3. For more serious or repeat violations, a formal Disciplinary Hearing may be held.
4. Disciplinary Hearings shall be conducted by the Student Life Director or Judicial Board according to the following guidelines:Disciplinary Hearings shall be conducted in private.
5. There shall be a single verbatim record, such as a tape recording, of all Disciplinary Hearings for purposes directly relating to any resulting appeals. Deliberations shall not be recorded. The records shall be the property of the College and shall be destroyed when the appeal process has expired.
6. If an accused student, with proper notice, fails to attend the Hearing as scheduled, the information in support of the charges may be presented and considered even if the accused student is not present.
7. The Judicial Board or Hearing Officer may accommodate concerns for the personal safety, well-being, and/or fears of confrontation of the complainant, accused student and/or other witness during the hearing by providing separate facilities, by using visual screen and/or by permitting participation by telephone, videophone, closed circuit television, video conferencing, video tape, audio tape, written statement of other means, where and as determined in the sole judgment of the Student Life Director to be appropriate.
8. If a student is found guilty of the alleged violation(s), the Judicial Board or Hearing Officer will determine appropriate sanctions.
The following sanctions may be imposed upon any student found to have violated the Student Code however it is the right of the Student Life Director to determine what level of Sanction will be imposed at any given time for any given violation:
a) Disciplinary Warning - a notice may be sent in writing to the student regardingthe violation. Subsequent violations will result in more severe sanctions.
b) Disciplinary Probation - A written reprimand for violation of specific regulations. Probation is for a designated period of time and may range from three months to one year. If other disciplinary action is taken while the student is on Disciplinary Probation, it is likely to result in the student’s immediate separation from the College.
c) Loss of privileges - Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.
d) Fines - Previously established fines may be imposed.
e) Restitution - Compensation for loss, damage or injury. This may take the form of appropriate service and/or monetary or material replacement.
f) Discretionary Sanctions - Work assignments, essays, service to the College, changing of housing assignment, eviction from campus housing or other discretionary assignments.
g) College Suspension - Separation of student from the College for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified.
h) College Expulsion - Permanent separation of the student from the College.
In situations involving both an accused student(s) (or group or organization) and a student(s) claiming to be a victim of another student’s conduct, the records of the process and of the sanctions imposed, if any, shall be ordered to be the educational record of both the accused student(s) and the student(s) claiming to be the victim because the educational career and chances of success in the academic community of each may be impacted.
In certain circumstances, the Student Life Director, or a designee, may impose a College or residence hall suspension prior to a student appearing before a formal hearing is held.
1. Interim Suspension may be imposed only:
2. During interim suspension, a student shall be denied access to the residence halls and/or to the campus (including classes) and/or all other collegiate activities or privileges for which the student might otherwise be eligible, as the Student Life Director may determine is appropriate.
3. The interim suspension does not replace the regular process, which shall proceed on a normal schedule, up to and through a Disciplinary Hearing, if required.
Any student who feels an error has been made by the Judicial Board or an administrative hearing officer may appeal for a new hearing to the Disciplinary Appeals Panel within five (5) academic days of the decision. Untimely appeals will NOT be considered. Such appeals should be presented in writing and shall be delivered to the Student Life Director. Appeals must be based on one or both of the following grounds:
If the Appeals Panel grants the appeal, the case will be referred to the Student Life Director for a new hearing. The President will only hear appeals on cases which result in sanctions of College Suspension or College Expulsion.
It is the policy of Eastern Oklahoma State College to promote a cooperative work and academic environment in which there exists mutual respect for all students, faculty and staff. Harassment of students based upon sex is inconsistent with this objective and contrary to the College’s non-discrimination policy. Acts of sexual misconduct are illegal under federal, state and local laws and will not be tolerated within the College. The College will follow procedures that will ensure that allegations of sexual misconduct are thoroughly investigated. Students who believe they have been harassed under this policy are strongly encouraged to report the allegations of sexual misconduct to the Student Life Director as promptly as possible. Delay in making a complaint of sexual misconduct may make it more difficult for the College to investigate the allegations. A student may also report the incident to:
London White
Interim Director of Student Life
Library 138
918-465-1767
lwhite@alloccasionsgiftreviews.com
It is a violation of the college policy for any member of the College community to engage in sexual harassment or to retaliate against any member of the college community for raising an allegation for sexual harassment, for filing a complaint alleging sexual harassment or for participating in any proceeding to determine if sexual harassment has occurred.
Additional sexual misconduct policies are outlined in the handbooks below.
There are many resources available for victims of sexual violence and assault.
Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
1-800-522-7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE
Oklahoma District Attorneys Sexual Assault Examination Fund
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Eastern Oklahoma State College's Title IX Coordinators regularly undergo training to stay updated on Title IX policies. Below are the materials used to train Eastern's Title IX Coordinators, Investigators, Advisors, Decision Makers, Appeals Officer and Facilitator/Mediator.
All documents open as PDF files.
For Students
London White
Interim Director of Student Life
918.465.1767
lwhite@alloccasionsgiftreviews.com
For Employees
Pam Denny
Interim Human Resources Director
918.465.1777
pdenny2@alloccasionsgiftreviews.com