How do I make a formal report with the University?
A victim is encouraged to report the incident to the Office of Safety and Security, the Dean of Students, a member of the Residential Life staff or another member of the University’s administrative staff. When a member of the administrative staff is notified of a potential sexual offense, they are obligated by law to notify the Office of Safety and Security. This office may interview the victim and conduct an investigation. If an investigation is conducted, the Office of Safety and Security will send the completed incident report to the appropriate Dean of Students to be handled in the University’s judicial process.

No, but if the situation is reported to the police, the University will accompany the student to the New York City Police Department. Fordham University encourages any student who is the victim of a felony to notify the Office of Safety and Security immediately and to work with them to report the felony to the NYPD. In certain cases, the University reserves the right to notify local law enforcement as required by statute.

If the student is meeting with a counselor at Fordham’s Counseling and Psychological Services or a pastoral counselor in Campus Ministry to explore options, that meeting is confidential. If the student reports the incident to another member of the University administrative staff and/or the Office of Safety and Security, the alleged attacker may be interviewed.

No. Fordham’s process does not involve having to see or speak with the alleged attacker or to be questioned by his/her representatives. Processes outside the University, such as those in the criminal justice system, may require this. Fordham will support and accompany the student as these details are explained by outside authorities.

No. Fordham’s process in investigating sexual offenses does not require or even encourage mediation. The University handles the investigation with each party separately.

A victim is encouraged to report the incident to the Office of Safety and Security, the Dean of Students, a member of the Residential Life staff or another member of the University’s administrative staff. When a member of the administrative staff is notified of a potential sexual offense, they are obligated by law to notify the Office of Safety and Security.   A member of the staff in the Office of Safety and Security may contact you to schedule a meeting and take your complaint. Safety and Security may then interview the alleged attacker and any witnesses and the final report will be forwarded to the appropriate Dean of Students. The Dean of Students will have a member of the Student Affairs professional staff reach out to the student. That staff member will accompany the student during the entire process and act as the designated support person. The Dean of Students will ask the student victim to provide a written statement and the Dean of Students will schedule a time to meet with the student and support person to review the statement and answer any questions regarding the process. In most cases, the dean will meet with the student and support person a second time to check facts and then have a final meeting to explain the outcome of the case. In certain cases, the University reserves the right to notify local law enforcement as required by statute.

No. Fordham does not place the burden of “proving” that an attack has occurred on the student. As the incident is investigated, the Dean of Students works with a standard called “preponderance of information.” This means that the dean will use his/her judgment based on all available information from security, the victim, the alleged attacker and witness interviews to determine whether there is enough information to confirm that a violation of University policy has occurred and what the appropriate action by the University will be.

While every case is different, efforts will be made to assist the student victim in eliminating or minimizing contact with the alleged attacker. When a situation is reported and/or being investigated, all parties are warned to avoid direct contact or risk adjudication. In some cases, the alleged attacker will be moved to a different residence hall or removed from residence or campus pending the outcome of the case. Unless notified that the alleged attacker has been removed, the student should be prepared for the possibility of seeing the alleged attacker on campus. Student victims are encouraged to inform the support staff person and the Dean of Students as soon as possible if the student has classes or lives in the same residence hall as the alleged attacker. In any case, it will be important to avoid direct contact with this person.

Yes, a student can make a report about anyone they believe has violated the University’s policy on sexual offenses. There may be times when this person has an existing relationship with the victim. People in relationships can violate the sexual offenses policy and it is important for the victim to receive assistance and know their options for reporting the incident. Students are encouraged to contact staff if they are in this situation.

All crime statistics reported to Fordham are, in turn, reported to the community and the federal government. The Office of Safety and Security keeps crime statistics for the campus and surrounding areas, is required to report these statistics to the federal government (anyone can find the data here: http://ope.ed.gov/security/GetOneInstitutionData.aspx) and will provide statistics to any interested member of the community (phone: 718.817.2222). All crime statistics are also shared with faculty, staff and students on an annual basis and student media such as the student newspapers routinely review security reports and publish items from which names and identifying information have been removed for privacy.