Campus Reporting Options - Sharing a Concern

All Amherst community members are strongly encouraged to report information regarding any incident of Title IX Prohibited Conduct to the Title IX Office. The College will review and respond to all reports of Title IX Prohibited Conduct.  An individual does not have to decide whether or not to engage in the Title IX Grievance Process at the time the report is made. The College recognizes that choosing to make a report, and deciding how to proceed after making the report, can be a process that unfolds over time. The College will respect an individual’s autonomy in making these important decisions.

Private Report to the Title IX Office or to a Person Who Is Obligated to Share a Report with the Title IX Office

Any individual who is concerned about Title IX Prohibited Conduct affecting an Amherst College community member may provide that information to the Title IX Office in person, via email or telephone, or by using the online Sexual Misconduct Reporting Form. 

Except when submitted pursuant to one’s mandatory reporting obligations - as set forth below- a reporting party may choose to disclose their identity as the reporting party OR may choose to submit the report anonymously (see below). 

Mandatory Reporters of Information Regarding Title IX Prohibited Conduct

Individuals may also disclose concerns to faculty, staff, and certain student employees who have been designated by the College as “mandatory reporters” of information regarding Title IX Prohibited Conduct.

All College employees, except those identified as Confidential Resources, including faculty and staff, certain student employees, and certain student volunteers, are required to share with the Title IX Office information they learn that gives them reason to believe that an Amherst College community member has been affected by Title IX Prohibited Conduct.

Mandatory reporters are not expected to understand with certainty whether or not the behavior they have learned about meets all of the parameters of the definitions of this policy.  Mandatory reporters must report the information to the Title IX Office, who will work with affected persons.

Community Advisors, formally “Residence Counselors,” must report to the Title IX Office any information regarding Title IX Prohibited Conduct of which they become aware at any time, regardless of whether they are serving in their role at the time they learned of the behavior. 

Students also have the responsibility to report – to a member of the Title IX Office – instances of Title IX Prohibited Conduct of which they become aware while acting in the following roles: 

  • Student Security Monitors
  • Orientation Leaders
  • Community Engagement Orientation Trip (CEOT) Leaders
  • First-Year Orientation Trips (FOOT) Leaders
  • LEAP Leaders

 Anonymous Reporting

Any individual may make an anonymous report concerning an act of Title IX Prohibited Conduct. Individuals may report the incident without disclosing their name, identifying the Respondent, or requesting any action. Depending on the level of information available about the incident or the individuals involved, however, the College’s ability to respond to an anonymous report may be limited.

Anonymous reports may be made by telephone at 888-497–1022, or online at: 
www.amherst.ethicspoint.com.

Ethics Point is a service that allows anyone to report suspected misconduct or other issues with complete anonymity, if so chosen. This service allows the person making the report and College administrators to confer about additional details, while the reporting party’s identity remains anonymous. All reports will go to the Title IX Coordinator. Persons may also submit anonymous reports using the Sexual Misconduct reporting form and choosing not to submit their identifying information, though the College will be unable to confer with the reporting party.

Post-Report Requests for Confidentiality

The College will take all reasonable steps to review and respond to the reports consistent with any request by the Complainant for confidentiality or to not pursue an investigation. In doing so, the College may take steps to limit the effects of the alleged Title IX Prohibited Conduct without initiating formal action. Examples include: providing increased monitoring, supervision or security at locations or activities where the misconduct occurred; providing training and education materials for students and employees.  The College will seek to respect the request of the Complainant, and where it cannot do so, the College will consult with the Complainant and keep them informed about the chosen course of action. 

 Pursuant to Department of Education regulations, a Complainant’s identity may remain undisclosed for the purpose of receiving Supportive Measures, where feasible. However, should a Formal Complaint be filed, the Title IX Grievance Process will be initiated and both parties will receive written notice of the alleged incident to be investigated, which will include the names of both parties.

 Reporting Patterns of Title IX Prohibited Conduct

In the event that an individual believes that they may be experiencing behavior that is part of a pattern of Title IX Prohibited Conduct, they should document that behavior and report it to the Title IX Office.  

Time Frame for Reporting

Individuals are encouraged to report Title IX Prohibited Conduct promptly in order to maximize the College’s ability to respond. The College does not limit the timeframe for reporting. Adjudication processes under this Policy are not available for reports against Respondents who are no longer associated with the College. Further, a Complainant must be participating in or attempting to participate in a Program or Activity at Amherst at the time the complaint is filed. Regardless of the status of the Respondent, the College will conduct a Title IX review and take appropriate steps depending on the level of control (if any) the College has over the Respondent.