As an employee of The College of New Jersey, we recognize that you may have some questions about the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct and the role we play on campus, potential reporting obligations that’ve been assigned to you, what resources are available to the campus, and how to support someone who has been impacted by sexual harassment/misconduct.
Below are some answers to questions you may have, but should you have a question that isn’t listed below, please reach out to the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct and we’d be happy to help however we can.
Common FAQs:
What is the role of the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct?
The Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct is involved in a variety of aspects of campus life, but the graphics below offer a general overview of the role of our office —
What policies, relative to these issues, specifically apply to me as an employee of the College?
The two main policies relating to sex/gender-based discrimination that pertain to you as an employee include:
Who can submit a report of sexual harassment or misconduct to the College and how can they go about doing so?
Anyone who has experienced or been impacted by sexual harassment or misconduct, or has information about an incident involving harassment or misconduct, is encouraged to report the information to the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct, so we can conduct outreach to the person who has experienced harm and inform them of their rights/options and get them connected with resources.
A report can be submitted in any of the following ways –
- Submitting a report online – You can do so here: File A Report
- This is the preferred method
- Contacting the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct directly
- Director of Title IX Compliance & Sexual Misconduct | Title IX Coordinator, Chelsea Jacoby, via:
- Email: jacobyc@tcnj.edu
- Phone: 609-771-3112 ; or
- Assistant Director for Sexual Misconduct & Student Conduct Investigator, Caitlin Babcock, via:
- Email: babcockc@tcnj.edu
- Phone: 609-771-2613 ; or
- Meet with the staff in person (BSC 201 (Chelsea’s office) or BSC 220 (Caitlin’s office)) to make the report
- Director of Title IX Compliance & Sexual Misconduct | Title IX Coordinator, Chelsea Jacoby, via:
I received a disclosure of sexual harassment/misconduct from a member of the TCNJ campus community, how should I respond?
Consider starting with this –> “I’m sorry that you’ve been hurt. How can I help? TCNJ has resources to support you and help you decide what to do next. Would you like to speak to a confidential counselor or a staff person about your resources or reporting options? We are here to help.”
The most important things to do are to listen, believe the individual, ask if they feel safe, and determine how to best help ensure their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Whether you are required to report the disclosure to the College (due to having been identified as a Responsible Employee or Official with Authority through the College) or you simply feel morally obligated to do so, you should be honest about your plans to report while still trying to ensure their autonomy the best as possible.
It can be challenging to let the individual know you’re going to bring a new person into your conversation, so different options and language have been provided below. It may be helpful to think about what you might say in a sexual harassment/misconduct reportable scenario. We know this is a hard conversation to have. As professionals and educators, we have hard conversations every day, and we work to bring warmth, patience and a supportive presence into those conversations. We can also apply those same elements in having conversations about incidents of sexual violence and any potential reporting obligations.
“Menu” of Possible Response Options
You may wish to respond with something like…
“I’m sorry that you’ve been hurt. How can I help? TCNJ has resources to support you and help you decide what to do next. Would you like to speak to a confidential counselor or a professional staff member about your resources or reporting options? We are here to help.”
For those required by the College to report the disclosure, you may find the following particularly helpful —
“Thank you for sharing that with me and I’d like to support you as best I can. I wanted to let you know that I’m a Responsible Employee or Official with Authority, which means I have to inform the College when I learn that an incident of sexual harassment/misconduct has occurred. I know that may sound a bit scary and perhaps not what you had intended when you disclosed to me. Although I’m required to report I want to be able to share the information you disclosed to me in a manner that you feel most comfortable with (review options on HOW to report – see top of page for details). Please know that regardless of how a report is submitted, you will receive an email from the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct, which contains information about your rights and available resources. They’re going to offer you an opportunity to meet with them to discuss this information further along with your available resolution options and interim & supportive measures/resources the College can implement to best support you. However, meeting with the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct is completely voluntary, so you can decide if that is something you’re comfortable doing at that time. If right now you’re not interested in meeting with them, that’s completely okay, and should you change your mind down the road and wish to connect with them about the variety of supports/options available to you, you can always reach back out to them and schedule a meeting. With that said, I want to be able to share the information you disclosed to me in a manner that you feel most comfortable with.“
“Thank you for sharing this with me. TCNJ has a lot of helpful resources available, including confidential ones like Anti-Violence Initiatives and Mental Health Services (and the EAP if the individual is an employee). I’m not a confidential resource, which means I do have to share this information, but only with the Title IX Coordinator. Her name is Chelsea, and she can send you all of the resources available to you.”
“I know that must have been difficult to share, thank you for trusting me. My role on campus requires I share information like this with our Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator’s job is to make sure individuals who may have experienced harm are aware of all resources available to them. I can call her, send an email, or send a report. Do you have a preference of how I share this information? And would you like to sit with me while I reach out to her?”
However you choose to respond, you should make sure it is in a way that feels most authentic to you, while also demonstrates empathy and compassion.
It is also helpful to remind the person that they:
- Are welcome to connect with a confidential resource at the Office for Anti-Violence Initiatives, Mental Health Services, Student Health Services, or the Center for Integrative Wellness (formerly the TCNJ Clinic)
- Can file a police report with TCNJ Campus Police at any time – 607-771-2345
- Can file an online report through the College to receive access to supportive measures and information about available resources and resolution options:
I received a disclosure from a student as part of an assignment for my course, do I have to report it to the College?
If the disclosure was made as part of a course assignment, rather than for the direct purposes of seeking help/assistance, you are not required to report the disclosure to the College. However, it may be beneficial to follow up with the student and ensure that they are aware that there are resources available to them through the College to offer support/assistance for the incident should they believe they may benefit from any, such as:
Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct
As a member of the TCNJ community, you have the right to be protected from sex & gender- based discrimination under Title IX and other College policies, including sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and other forms of Prohibited Conduct. The Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct at TCNJ is committed to creating and maintaining an educational and work environment free from all forms of sexual violence, and to provide fair and equitable support and processes in which all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, thrive and succeed. Whether you have experienced harm, have been accused of perpetrating harm, or are simply looking for information on how to support a friend who may have been impacted by sexual violence in some way, the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct and our partners across campus are here for you.
Location: Brower Student Center, Suite 202
Phone: (609) 771-3112
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
File a Report
Dean of Students Coordination of Advocacy Resources for Empowerment & Support (CARES) Program
The Dean of Student’s Office CARES Program connects students to resources that foster personal, academic and professional development through collaboration, coordination, facilitation, and execution of resources and support services. The CARE program also provides complex post-vention services for students experiencing personal, family, medical, and/or financial crisis.
Location: Brower Student Center, Suite 220
Phone: 609-771-CARE (2273)
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Anti-Violence Initiatives (AVI)*
Offers confidential clinical counseling services to those who have experienced or have been impacted by sexual violence.
Location: Forcina Hall, Room 308
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30AM-4:30 PM or by appointment
Phone: (609) 771-2272
Website: oavi.tcnj.edu
Click HERE to schedule appointment
Mental Health Services (Formally known as CAPS) offers group counseling, brief individual counseling and referral services to TCNJ undergraduate and graduate students. These services are provided free of charge.
Location: Eickhoff Hall, Room 107
Phone: 609-771-2247
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Click HERE to request services
AFTER HOURS: Contact TCNJ Police at 911 from any campus phone or 609-771-2345 from a cell phone or Capital Health Emergency Mental Health Services & Mobile Outreach (24/7) 609-396-HELP (4357)
* = denotes confidential resource
Can you share some sample language that I can include in my course syllabi regarding options & resources for incidents of sexual harassment/misconduct?
While the inclusion of a statement regarding sexual harassment/discrimination and reporting is not required, it’s definitely strongly encouraged. When you incorporate language such as the example included below, you ultimately communicate that: 1.) addressing violence matters to you; 2.) you are a member of the community a survivor can talk to and receive support; and 3.) It’s okay to ask for help. All of which can make a world of difference to those who may be/have been impacted by sexual violence.
Here’s an example of what you can include in your syllabus –
The College of New Jersey affirms its commitment to the promotion of fairness and equity in all aspects of its education program/activity by upholding federal (such as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972), state, and local law, as well as various policies/procedures. Specifically, the College’s Sexual Harassment, Misconduct, & Discrimination Policy applies to the entire TCNJ community, including students, faculty, and staff of all gender identities and prohibits all forms of sexual harassment/misconduct including, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, stalking, and sex/gender-based discrimination or harassment (referred to as “Prohibited Conduct”).
Questions or concerns regarding reporting options, resources/supportive measures, and available resolution options for alleged incidents of Prohibited Conduct can be reported to/discussed privately with the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct. You can easily connect with the Office through their Online Reporting Link or you can contact TCNJ’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Chelsea Jacoby, directly at titleix@tcnj.edu or (609) 771-3112. It’s important to know that the Office of Title IX & Sexual Misconduct can offer resources and implement supportive measures for you regardless of whether you wish to hold the person who has caused you harm accountable. A complete list of reporting options, resources both on- and off-campus, and other helpful information can also be found at titleix.tcnj.edu/resources. Individuals can also make a report to TCNJ Campus Police (609.771.2345 or 9-1-1). Reporting alleged violations to TCNJ PD does NOT commit the victim/affected party to future legal action.
Additionally, if you or someone you know may have experienced any form of sexual harassment/misconduct, confidential support and guidance is also available and can be found through the Office of Anti-Violence Initiatives, and Mental Health Services. By law, those employees are not required to report allegations of sexual harassment/misconduct to the College.
- Per my role at the College I am considered to be a “Responsible Employee,” (commonly referred to as ‘mandated reporter’) (or “Official with Authority” if designated) meaning I’m required to report all allegations of sex/gender-based discrimination to the Title IX Coordinator.
- Disclosures made in classroom writing assignments, classroom discussions, or other open campus forums will not be considered to be a formal complaint or notice by the College unless you intend them to be, and make that clear to a mandated reporter.
- If you want to make a formal complaint, your instructor can help to connect you to the Title IX Coordinator, or you can connect with the Title IX Coordinator directly yourself if you prefer, using the contact information above. Once you are connected with the Coordinator, you are under no obligation to take any action.
- The College respects your right to file or not file a formal complaint. The Title IX Coordinator must take action only in situations that pose a serious threat of harm to you or the community, or in the case of misconduct by an employee. Otherwise, you are in control of how the College responds.
What is considered Prohibited Conduct at TCNJ?
The various forms of conduct prohibited under the Sexual Harassment, Misconduct, & Discrimination Policy (“Policy”) are outlined below and those notated by an (*) indicate behaviors to which may also be considered Sexual Harassment as defined by the Title IX Final Rule if alleged conduct occurred within scope/jurisdiction of Title IX.
-
- Sexual Harassment*
- Sexual Assault*
- Stalking*
- Dating Violence*
- Domestic Violence*
- Sexual Exploitation
- Gender-Based Discrimination or Harassment
- Complicity
- Compliance with Directives
- Abuse of College Process
- Retaliation
- Defamation
Through the Sexual Harassment, Misconduct, & Discrimination Policy the College will be upholding a broad scope of sex and gender related violations. Some forms of College Sexual Misconduct may also be considered violations of Title IX as defined by the Title IX Final Rule depending on the nature, scope, and jurisdiction of the alleged conduct. Collectively these types of violations are referred to as “Prohibited Conduct.”
Given the College’s dedication to addressing all forms of sex and gender-based harassment, misconduct, and discrimination, the College reserves the right to investigate and adjudicate all forms of Prohibited Conduct under this Policy regardless of any possible Title IX designation(s). More information about this can be found HERE.
Additional behaviors prohibited by the College are outlined in the Student Conduct Code.
It’s important to note that, Prohibited Conduct can be committed by or against individuals of any sex or gender and can occur between individuals of the same sex/gender or different sexes/genders. Further, Prohibited Conduct can occur between strangers or acquaintances, as well as persons involved in intimate, sexual, dating, domestic, or familial relationships.