Report an Incident

Title IX

�鶹��ƵAPK encourages all students, faculty, or staff who have experienced sexual misconduct or discrimination based on gender identity or expression to seek the support and assistance necessary to heal and to plan for their future safety and success as an employee or student. We also recognize that deciding to report sexual misconduct and experiences of discrimination and harassment, and choosing how to proceed, are difficult decisions. You may be unsure if you want to file a report. Your feelings about reporting an incident and in what ways you would like to proceed may have changed over time. In light of this there are a variety of options available on campus and in the surrounding community. Some resources guarantee complete confidentiality, and others may have an obligation to report or investigate certain kinds of conduct.

Anyone can file a sexual misconduct report at any time, whether you have experienced sexual misconduct, you witnessed or otherwise has information that sexual misconduct has occurred, or you have received a report from someone. We encourage individuals to immediately report incidents of sexual misconduct. When you make a report, you do not need to label what happened or know what you want to happen. You can report to both the university and to the police, simultaneously and these options are not mutually exclusive.

Other ways to report

Emergency medical resources and reporting with SANE
Reporting your experience to St. Paul police

You are encouraged to seek support from �鶹��ƵAPK staff regardless of whether you wish to report your experience at this time.

If you are a student: You may speak confidentially with Counseling and Health Services staff (651-523-2204) or the University Chaplain (Kelly Figueroa-Ray, 651-523-2315). You may also speak with the Title IX Coordinator (Patti Kersten, 651-523-2948) to discuss options; these staff members are not confidential; however are discrete and will assist you in understanding options available through the university.

If you are an employee: You may speak confidentially the University Chaplain or EAP: Employee Assistance Program 1-866-757-3271. You may also speak with the Title IX Coordinator (Patti Kersten, 651-523-2948), and/or Human Resource (651-523-2094) to discuss options; these staff members are not confidential; however are discrete and will assist you in understanding options available through the university.

Additional information

You also have the right to report to St. Paul Police and staff members of the university can assist you in filing such a report. Public Safety is available 24/7 to assist and can be reached at 651-523-2100.

If a report is made to either the police or to the University, you have additional options to keep this person away from you, such as protective court orders and no-contact letters from the University. Obtaining an order from the court is free, and our Title IX coordinator within the Office of the Dean of Students can help explain the process and accompany you if you wish.

Whether or not you choose to report, we want to ensure you are safe in your situation. We encourage you to seek safety planning from a confidential resource (if you choose not to report) or to work with our Title IX coordinator within the Office of the Dean of Students (if you do choose to report).

As a student if you do choose to report, there are additional support options available on campus, including help with academic problems, class schedules, financial aid, housing arrangements, transportation, and assistance in receiving health and counseling resources. A student is NOT required to provide additional information about the incident or participate in a University investigation in order to receive services. Our primary goal is to help, and we will respect the student’s decision to share, or not share, any aspect of the situation with us. If the person who did this is not affiliated with �鶹��ƵAPK, the University’s response to the report of an incident will be primarily on providing services to the victim and addressing any safety issues on campus.

The report process and investigation process is detailed below. Note, we work to complete the process in a timely way, from the point of the formal written complaint.

Reporting process

When someone submits a report to �鶹��ƵAPK, either in person or via our online reporting process, it will be reviewed by our Title IX Coordinator.
Meet with the Title IX Coordinator to discuss campus and community resources, interim measures, accommodations, and any next steps in the university reporting process. Some options available to the reporting party that may be discussed include:
- Request that the university only a files report and does not take any action beyond receiving the report
- Request a voluntary resolution or mediation process
- File a formal written complaint
- Desire to involve law enforcement
Requests for voluntary resolution, mediation, or reports must be reviewed in the context of campus safety before being granted. Once a formal written complaint is filed, we then move to investigation.
An investigator is named, and interviews with the reporting party/complainant(s), respondent(s), and witness(es), and collection of evidence are completed to compile an investigation report.
Parties review the investigation report and submit statements to the hearing board.
The hearing board reviews the investigation report, responses to the report and statements by all parties, and all submitted documents, prior to a virtual live hearing. We use the preponderance of evidence standard in our decision making process.
The decision is given to both parties in writing. If the hearing board finds a respondent responsible, sanctions range from probation with educational sanctions to expulsion. Example sanctions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Probation
- Suspension (residential or university)
- Expulsion
- Education on the specific topic of sexual misconduct
- Mentorship
- Limitations in physical spaces on campus
- No-contact directives
- Removal from leadership positions
- Removal from participation in specific activities/events
- Restrictions in campus employment
Either party may appeal the decision and/or sanction based on lack of due process, new information, or severity of sanction. An appeal decision is final.

Contact information

Patti Kersten, Title IX coordinator

651-523-2421 (office)

651-523-2948 (direct)

pkersten01@hamline.edu