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Know Your Rights and Options

Statement of Rights and Options

For students who experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, you have the right to respectful treatment, information about your options, and access to support. You do not need to decide immediately whether to request an investigation. Supportive measures are available even if you do not file a formal complaint.

On this page:

Your Reporting Choices and Privacy

You may report to the University, law enforcement, both, or neither. You may ask questions about your options before deciding whether to file a formal complaint. You may request that no further action be taken. The University considers your wishes but may need to respond to protect safety or meet legal obligations; the Title IX Coordinator may initiate a formal complaint when permitted by the policy.

Most University employees must share reports of sexual harassment with the Title IX office. They cannot promise confidentiality. The University limits sharing as appropriate, but information may be shared as necessary to carry out the University’s response or as required by law. For confidential assistance, contact the campus resources listed under Reporting and Support Contacts. Confidentiality has legal exceptions, and those resources can explain the limits before you disclose information.

Anonymous reports may be submitted through the University’s Incident Reporting Form. Anonymous reporting can limit the University’s ability to respond or investigate. Reporting options and the form are available at www.mckendree.edu/offices/student-affairs/student-conduct/reporting.php.

Support and Protection Without a Formal Complaint

You may request reasonably available, individualized supportive measures at no cost. Contact a Title IX coordinator to discuss academic, housing, dining, work, or transportation changes, or a University no-contact order. Measures are intended to preserve access to education, protect safety, and deter harassment without being disciplinary or punitive.

You may also seek an order of protection, civil no-contact order, or stalking no-contact order through State court, depending on your circumstances. Visit St. Clair County Victim Services for local information and assistance, or the Illinois Attorney General’s protection order guide to learn about the different types of orders.

A campus no-contact order is separate from a court order. If you obtain a court order, share it with the Title IX office or Public Safety so the University can take reasonable and lawful steps to implement it on campus.

Upon request, the University can help you identify and access campus and community health care, mental health care, counseling, and advocacy services. Visit McKendree University Counseling Services for information about counseling support options. You may seek medical care and confidential support whether or not you pursue a University complaint or police report.

Law Enforcement and Medical Care

You may choose whether to notify police, and you may request assistance from campus authorities in doing so. Call 911 for an emergency. Public Safety and local police contacts appear under Reporting and Support Contacts. Seeking support does not require you to make a police report.

If you have experienced an assault, consider prompt medical care for injuries and information about a sexual assault medical forensic examination. Nearby emergency departments include Memorial Hospital Shiloh and HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon. For confidential assistance identifying care options or requesting a hospital advocate, contact Metro East Every Survivor Counts at 618-397-0975. In an emergency, call 911.

You can still seek care if you have washed, changed clothes, or are unsure about reporting. Preserve messages, photographs, clothing, and other potential evidence when possible. Evidence may assist an investigation or a request for a protective order.

Your Rights in the University Process

The University’s Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures governs the process and available rights. Both parties are entitled to equitable treatment, an impartial process, and an objective evaluation of relevant evidence. A respondent is presumed not responsible unless responsibility is determined through the process. Throughout the University’s complaint resolution process, you have the right:

    • To receive information about University procedures and have the applicable policy followed, including notice of any legally required changes.
    • To be treated with respect and to make reporting decisions without discouragement or retaliation by University officials.
    • To choose an advisor, who may be an attorney, to accompany you throughout the grievance process. If a party does not have an advisor for hearing cross-examination, the University will appoint one as provided in the policy.
    • To identify relevant witnesses and evidence and have an equal opportunity to inspect, review, and respond to evidence as provided in the policy.
    • To an impartial investigator and decision-makers without disqualifying conflicts of interest or bias, and to raise concerns about those issues with the Title IX Coordinator.
    • To protections against impermissible use of prior sexual history and privileged information, consistent with the policy.
    • To request separate rooms with technology during the hearing so the parties and decision-makers can see and hear the proceedings.
    • To receive a written determination explaining the outcome, rationale, applicable sanctions, and appeal options, and to appeal on the grounds stated in the policy.

How the Complaint Resolution Process Works

Initial response and options. After receiving a report, the Title IX office contacts the complainant to discuss supportive measures and explain options. A report is different from a formal complaint. Under the policy, a formal complaint is a signed physical or electronic document alleging sexual harassment and requesting an investigation. The Title IX Coordinator reviews whether the allegations fall within this process; matters outside its scope may be referred to another University office.

  1. Investigation. If a formal complaint proceeds, the parties receive notice. An investigator gathers relevant information, interviews parties and witnesses, and provides opportunities to review and respond to evidence and the investigation report as described in the policy.
  2. Hearing and decision. A hearing panel conducts a live hearing. Advisors, rather than parties personally, conduct relevant cross-examination. The panel uses the clear and convincing evidence standard and issues a written determination. If responsibility is found, sanctions may include educational requirements, restrictions, probation, suspension, or expulsion.
  3. Appeal. Either party may appeal a determination or dismissal based on a procedural irregularity affecting the outcome, new evidence not reasonably available that could affect the outcome, or a conflict of interest or bias affecting the outcome. Appeals must be submitted within five business days of the outcome notification, as stated in the policy.

Protection from Retaliation and Reporting Amnesty

Retaliation is prohibited. Report intimidation, threats, coercion, or other retaliation to a Title IX official. The University’s amnesty provision protects students who report in good faith from conduct sanctions for violations revealed through the report, such as underage drinking, unless the violation is egregious, including conduct placing another person’s health or safety at risk. Educational interventions may still be required. University amnesty does not prevent police or other legal action.

Reporting and Support Contacts

For emergencies, call 911. For help choosing an option, contact a Title IX coordinator or a confidential support resource below.

University reporting and assistance

Dr. Jennifer Miller | Title IX Coordinator
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
618-537-6572 | jrmiller@mckendree.edu

Calvin Wertman | Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
618-537-6912 | crwertman@mckendree.edu

Karyn Wilson | Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Assistant Dean for Student Success
618-537-6562 | krwilson@mckendree.edu

McKendree University Public Safety
618-537-6911 | 535 North Monroe Street, Lebanon, Illinois

Lebanon Police Department
618-537-4955 | 403 West St. Louis Street, Lebanon, Illinois

Campus confidential support

Melissa McHenry | Director of Counseling Services
618-537-6416 | msmchenry@mckendree.edu

Charles Gregory | Assistant Director of Counseling Services
618-537-6975

Beth Allan | Director of Health Services
618-537-6503 | baallan@mckendree.edu

Rev. Dr. Beverly Wilkes-Null | University Chaplain
618-537-6962 | Bothwell Chapel

Community sexual assault support and medical care

Safe Connections | Community sexual assault and relationship violence support
24-hour crisis helpline: 314-531-2003 | www.safeconnections.org

Metro East Every Survivor Counts | Confidential sexual assault support and hospital advocacy
24-hour crisis line: 618-397-0975
www.metroeasteverysurvivorcounts.org

HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital | Emergency medical care and sexual assault examination services
1 St. Elizabeth’s Boulevard, O’Fallon, Illinois 62269
www.hshs.org/st-elizabeths
Contact the emergency department for current medical forensic examination and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) availability.

Memorial Hospital Shiloh
618-607-1000 | 1404 Cross Street, Shiloh, Illinois

https://www.bjc.org/locations/memorial-hospital-shiloh
Contact the hospital for current medical and forensic examination services.

Full policy and additional resources: www.mckendree.edu/offices/student-affairs/title-ix/