Amherst College

January 30, 2013

In October 2012, President Biddy Martin, with the support of the Board of Trustees, empaneled a special committee to make recommendations for improvements in the College’s efforts to prevent and address sexual assault and sexual misconduct at Amherst College. This action was taken following the emergence of disturbing accounts of cases of sexual assault and misconduct. At its meeting in October, the Board heard firsthand from many members of the Amherst community, including a delegation of students. The urgency of the issue was plain.

October 18, 2012

Dear Members of the Amherst Community,

I write in response to the recent news about an incident of sexual violence and misconduct on the Amherst campus and to reports that the College has failed to treat similar incidents with adequate transparency or seriousness. A student’s first-person account in this week’s Amherst Student is horrifying—her rape, her painful efforts to deal with it on her own, and her subsequent experiences when she sought help on the campus.

October 11, 2012

Dear Amherst students,

I write to you concerning a matter that affects our entire community and for which we are all responsible, in one way or another. This message includes both information and an invitation. I know you are busy, but the issues are important. I hope you will take the time to read it.

Sometimes a student may wish to report an incident of sexual misconduct without pursuing disciplinary or legal action. The College will seek to respect the wishes of the student when possible, recognizing that the College has a legal obligation to review all reports of sexual misconduct. Even if a student does not want to proceed, the College may choose to proceed under limited circumstances.

While we recognize that a report may emerge through many sources, we encourage those who experience sexual harassment and sexual misconduct to report directly to the Amherst College Police, Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinator or a member of the Title IX Team.  These individuals will support and provide you w

If an act of sexual misconduct occurs, you are likely to have many concerns, including physical health and safety, emotional and mental well-being, medical issues such as sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, and, for some, interpersonal relationships.  Another common concern may be understanding the disciplinary or legal options for responding to the act.

October 18, 2012

Dear Members of the Amherst Community,

I write in response to the recent news about an incident of sexual violence and misconduct on the Amherst campus and to reports that the College has failed to treat similar incidents with adequate transparency or seriousness. A student’s first-person account in this week’s Amherst Student is horrifying—her rape, her painful efforts to deal with it on her own, and her subsequent experiences when she sought help on the campus.

2012–2013 Student Rights and Policies in the Student Handbook

Student Handbook—the Full Policy