Safety & Equity at UWO
Contact
Rachel Cromheecke
Title IX Coordinator
Call on Teams, search name "Cromheecke"
(920) 424-0835
titleix@uwosh.edu
Dempsey Hall Room 337, Oshkosh Campus
Monday-Friday 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Report an Incident
The sexual misconduct reporting form is NOT intended for emergency response.
If you need to report an EMERGENCY or an incident that poses an immediate risk of harm to you or someone else, call 911.
If you want to report a non-emergency incident to law enforcement, you can call the UWO Police at 920-424-1212.
If you want to report sexual misconduct to the University/Title IX Coordinator, you may use the button above to access the reporting form.
If you want to confidentially disclose and talk over your options, please contact one of the UWO Confidential Resources on the Support page.
Note: The University Reporting Form does not go to law enforcement.
Accessibility: If you are having trouble accessing or viewing the online report form or are in need of any assistance filling it out, please contact the Equal Opportunity, Equity & Affirmative Action Office directly, afaction@uwosh.edu.
Emergency Information and Preserving Evidence
The sexual misconduct reporting form is NOT intended for an emergency response. If you need to report an EMERGENCY or an incident that poses an immediate risk of harm to you or someone else, call 911 or 9-911 on campus. If you want to report a non-emergency incident to law enforcement, you can call the UWO Police at 920-424-1212. If you want to report sexual misconduct to the University/Title IX Coordinator, you may use the button at the top of this page to access the reporting form.
URGENT MEDICAL CARE AND PRESERVING EVIDENCE
If you or someone you know have been sexually or physically assaulted, please consider getting medical help immediately for your health and wellness, and to have Support in knowing all of your options and how to preserve evidence that may be needed to pursue a university, criminal, or civil action/remedy later.
Victim/survivors of a sexual assault can connect with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) at Aurora Healthcare or walk into any Emergency Department and ask for a SANE exam. Try not to change your clothing or shower before this exam, or if you already have, bag the clothing related to the assault and bring it with you to the hospital. Aurora Healthcare, 855 N. Westhaven Dr., Oshkosh, WI. Phone: 920-456-7420.
In all sexual misconduct investigations or processes (university, criminal or civil), all parties will be asked if they have any evidence that gives support for or against the allegations, such as notes, text messages, e-mails, social media posts, photographs, videos, clothing, or bedding. Please remember to preserve any type of evidence even if you do not think it is important. Preserving evidence will allow the option of an investigation to remain available.
The following confidential resources are 24/7 community helplines that victim/survivors can call to talk over what to do right after an incident or at any time. These resources are available when University offices may not be open, although UWO Residence Life staff and UWO Police can be contacted at all hours.
Note: Residence Life staff and UWO Police are not confidential resources and will need to report disclosures of sexual misconduct to the University/Title IX Coordinator per federal law and UWO policy.
24/7 Helplines Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
Aurora Medical Center
855 N. Westhaven Dr., Oshkosh, WI 54904
(920) 456-7420 or Walk-in Emergency DepartmentSexual Assault Crisis Center-Fox Cities
24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline and Office (920) 733-8119Reach Counseling Services
24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline and Office (920) 722-8150ASTOP, Inc.
24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline and Office (920) 926-5395
24/7 Helplines Domestic/Dating Violence
Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Inc.
24/7 Crisis Line and Office (920) 235-5998 OR (800) 261-5998Harbor House Domestic Abuse
24/7 Crisis Line and Office (920) 832-1666 OR (800) 970-1171Solutions Center
24/7 Crisis Lines (920) 923-1700 OR (800) 852-9571
About Reporting
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning and working environment for students and employees. Employees and students contribute to this commitment by speaking up when they witness or learn that another community member has been impacted by sexual misconduct including, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and/or dating violence, stalking, or sexual exploitation.
Students and employees can report sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator in person, by phone, by email, or by filling out the sexual misconduct reporting form. Victim/survivors can also report anonymously on the Title IX Sexual Misconduct Reporting Form or the Clery Crime Reporting Form. Note: Anonymous reporting limits the actions of the University and/or police to respond and/or investigate the report.
Most sexual misconduct is also a crime under Wisconsin state law. We encourage all UWO community members and guests to seek support and report any incident of sexual misconduct to help collectively create and sustain a safe, equitable, and inclusive campus. Disclosing sexual misconduct to a university employee is not the same as reporting to the University, although most university employees are mandated by law or policy to bring a disclosure forward to the University by reporting any sexual misconduct, known or observed, to the Title IX Coordinator.
Confidentiality
Individuals who report sexual misconduct to the University cannot be assured absolute confidentiality. However, information provided in the report and in any subsequent related processes, will only be shared with those individuals who have a need to know to fulfill obligations consistent with university policies or laws.
Prohibition Against Retaliation
All parties have a right to be free from any retaliatory behavior from the University or any party named or related to a report, complaint, or grievance process. If you believe someone is attempting to interfere with the Title IX process through their communications or actions with you, your advisor, a witness, or anyone else associated with the process, contact the Title IX Coordinator or Compliance Office immediately. The University can put further measures in place to ensure the behavior ceases and does not continue in another form. Measures may include additional charges being added to a complaint or other disciplinary actions. Those who believe they have been subjected to retaliation that would also constitute a crime may also report to UWO Police.
Prohibited retaliation includes intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this policy or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this policy.
False Information
Any person who knowingly makes false statements or knowingly provides false information when reporting a violation of this policy or during the course of any investigation or disciplinary proceeding pursuant to this policy may be subject to disciplinary action. The fact that a complaint of sexual misconduct did not result in a finding of wrongdoing in a law enforcement or University disciplinary proceeding will not, by itself, be a basis for determining that this provision has been violated.
Reporting Options
Individuals also have the option to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights if they feel they have been discriminated against based on sex or gender by the University. FAQ’s OCR’s Complaint Process.
Who can I talk to confidentially about reporting?
Experiencing any form of sexual misconduct or sex discrimination can be stressful and overwhelming. It may feel difficult to make decisions and you may want to talk things over with someone you trust. The confidential resources listed below are a great place to talk over all your options without the mandate to make a report to the University. Please see the Support page for a full list of confidential resources.
UWO Confidential Resources
UWO has two designated confidential resources who students can disclose an incident of sexual misconduct to and confidentially talk over your decision to report. These are the ONLY confidential resources on campus and are available to all students for free. They can provide you with information and support, and help you report to the Title IX Coordinator and/or law enforcement if you choose to do so. These conversations do not have to be reported to the Title IX Coordinator. These confidential resources are:
UWO Counseling Center
Student Success Center, Suite 240
750 Elmwood Ave.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 424-2061
UWO Student Health Center
Radford Hall
777 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 424-2424
studenthealth@uwosh.edu
We highly encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct to wrap support around themselves by speaking to one of the confidential resources listed above.
UWO employees may consult with a counselor in the Employee Assistance Program for free.
What happens after I report?
Reporting means that the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the individual named as victim/survivor in the report to discuss their options, rights, resources, and to assess the need for any supportive and/or protective measures to be put in place. The goal for this meeting is for victims/survivors to be safe, have support in making the best decisions for themselves, and to ensure they continue to have equal access to all UWO programs and activities.
STUDENTS: When a report is received involving a student victim/survivor, the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the person named on the report as the victim/survivor to offer supportive and/or protective measures, inform them of their options and rights; including the right to file a formal complaint and provide the details of an investigation and adjudication process.
Students who are reporting sexual misconduct have control over their participation and role in any part of the process. They can accept or deny assistance or services offered but are highly encouraged to accept as much support as possible. Title IX personnel and campus support resources are here to help students feel safe, protected, and supported, and to ensure they have equal access to UWO programs and activities.
EMPLOYEES: When a report is received involving an employee victim/survivor, the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the employee to assess the need for supportive and/or protective measures, provide information about rights, resources, and options; including the right to file a formal complaint and details of a formal grievance process. While the Human Resources office may have less discretion in the employment context, they will still strive to defer to the reporting individual’s wishes as much as possible and consistent with legal obligations.
Note: There may be occasions after a report is made when the Title IX Coordinator will need to proceed with a formal complaint without the full support or participation of the victim/survivor. These occasions involve incidents where there is or may be an ongoing risk to the physical health and safety of individuals or the larger campus community and where the victim/survivor may be hesitant about filing a formal complaint. The victim/survivor will be given as much choice in these circumstances as is possible to fulfill the University’s legal and ethical responsibilities to keep students and employees safe and to ensure equal access to all UWO programs and activities.
Prohibition Against Retaliation
All parties have a right to be free from any retaliatory behavior from the University or any party named or related to a report, complaint, or grievance process. If you believe someone is attempting to interfere with the Title IX process through their communications or actions with you, your advisor, a witness, or anyone else associated with the process, contact the Title IX Coordinator or Compliance office immediately. The University can put further measures in place to ensure the behavior ceases and does not continue in another form. Measures may include additional charges being added to a complaint or other disciplinary actions. Those who believe they have been subjected to retaliation that would also constitute a crime may also report to UWO Police.
Prohibited retaliation includes intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this policy or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this policy.
Will I get in trouble if I report when I or someone else has been drinking (students)?
Amnesty
Individuals, including complainants, respondents, and witnesses, who have made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing regarding incidents of sexual misconduct will generally not be issued citations by campus law enforcement or be subject to disciplinary sanctions for alcohol violations arising out of the same facts and circumstances of the alleged incident unless the University determines that the violation was egregious, and/or placed the health or safety of any person at risk, and was beyond the amnesty provided by state law. See state law, here.
Think before you drink! Protecting yourself and others from a bad or tragic outcome when anyone has been drinking or using drugs can become a vitally important element in preventing sexual misconduct accusations or incidents. In some sexual misconduct cases, the question of mutual consent is the leading question or issue. We want to be clear here, an individual cannot give consent when they are incapacitated by alcohol or drugs. Please read the definition of consent carefully and speak up or act to help when you see someone who is vulnerable (incapacitated-no capacity to give consent), or if it appears that someone may be trying to take advantage of someone who is incapacitated (vulnerable). If you do not feel comfortable or safe intervening yourself, bring in more friends to help you, or call in UWO staff, UWO Police, or other local law enforcement to help you. No one is alone at UWO!
Sexual interactions of any kind with any persons without the capacity to give consent is sexual assault and violates UWO sexual misconduct policies and Wisconsin state law. Anyone found responsible after a formal grievance process can face severe sanctions, including suspension or expulsion from the University (part of your educational record). They could also face criminal or civil action outside the University process. Individuals accused of sexual misconduct (respondents) are considered not responsible until proven responsible by a preponderance of the evidence (50% plus a feather) in a formal University grievance process. All parties have the right to a fair and impartial grievance process, supportive and/or protective measures, access to campus resources, and an advisor (who can be an attorney) once a formal complaint has been filed. See the Processes and Education pages for more details.
Consent
Consent is defined as, “Words or overt actions by a person who is competent to give informed consent, indicating a freely given agreement to engage in sexual activity or other activity referenced in the definition of sexual assault and sexual exploitation. A person is unable to give consent if the person is incapacitated because of drugs, alcohol, physical or intellectual disability, or unconsciousness”.