Sexual Discrimination, Misconduct, Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking

Elon University has a legal obligation to ensure a working and learning environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, or violence. Elon University has procedures to receive, investigate, respond to, and resolve complaints of discrimination, including harassment based on sex, as well as domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking. In this policy, “discrimination,” refers generically and inclusively to all forms of discrimination based on sex or gender, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, nonconsensual sexual acts, sexual misconduct, and sexual violence. These policies and processes are universal student policies and apply to all students, including graduate and law students. All Elon University students, including graduate and law school students, will be held responsible for policies regarding sexual harassment, sexual discrimination/misconduct, domestic violence, partner violence and stalking as defined in the Elon University 2024-2025 Student Handbook.  All reported incidents of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination/misconduct, domestic violence, partner violence and stalking involving Elon University students, including those enrolled in graduate programs and law school, will be adjudicated per the processes defined in the Elon University Student handbook.

Elon University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs and activities. Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex including sexual harassment as well as sexual violence (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972).

Reports Against Students

A member of the University community who wishes to make an official report of sexual misconduct or interpersonal violence committed by a student may report the incident to the University through the following channels:

• Director of HR Compliance, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX Coordinator: Molly Zlock, Title IX Coordinator, Leadership & Professional Development 106, 2067 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244, (336) 278-5787; mzlock@elon.edu
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Student Life: Dr. Eleanor Finger, Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Campus Life, Jackson Hall 103B, 2990 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244, (336) 278-7777; efinger3@elon.edu
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Athletics: Ms. Faith Shearer, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman’s Administrator, Alumni Field House 239H, 2500 Campus Box, Elon, NC 27244, (336) 278-6790; fshearer@elon.edu
• Any of the following responsible employees, who will promptly report the incident to the University’s Title IX Coordinator:
  • deans
  • department chairs
  • directors
  • assistant directors
  • EPASS faculty advisor
  • human resources staff
  • campus safety and security staff
  • residence life staff (including student staff)
  • student conduct administrators
  • faculty and other employees supervising overnight domestic or international student trips and advising student groups
• Online through Elon’s Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Violence Reporting Form.
• In the event that an incident involves alleged misconduct by the Title IX Coordinator, or other Title IX staff, reports should be made directly the Associate Vice President for Human Resources at (336) 278-5562.

  Law Enforcement Reporting Options: Legal charges may be filed with Elon University Campus Safety and Police (who will also report to the Title IX Coordinator) or the Town of Elon Police Department (or other department) depending on the jurisdiction in which the crime was committed. For more information on how to report a sexual misconduct violation to law enforcement, visit Campus Safety & Police.

  Confidential Options for Reporting (On & Off-Campus): Elon University has trained on-campus counselors with whom a student may discuss an alleged violation of this policy without the information being reported to the Title IX Coordinator and who can provide an immediate confidential response in a crisis situation. Those persons designated as confidential resources under Title IX are:

• Safeline, (336) 278-3333 (anytime)
• The Coordinator for Violence Response and other members of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center who are acting in their role to provide violence response, (336) 278-5009
• Counseling Services, R.N. Ellington Center for Health and Wellness, (336) 278- 7280
• Health Services, R.N. Ellington Center for Health and Wellness, (336) 278-7230
• Members of the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life staff who are ordained and acting in their role as a clergy-counselor within their respective faith tradition (336) 278-7729

  The following off-campus resources are also available:

• CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response and Resource Center - 336-228-0360 - 1206 Vaughn Road, Burlington, NC http://www.crossroadscares.org/
• Family Abuse Services - 336-226-5985- 1950 Martin Street, Burlington, NC http://www.familyabuseservices.org/
• Work-Life Resources (employee assistance program for faculty and staff) – 1-800-633-3353 –http://www.mygroup.com. Additional information available on the Elon Human Resources website.
• National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 Confidential Support and Advocacy (Safe Line) Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence and Stalking Campus Safety and Police

A special note on sexual harassment: Because of the personal nature of patient-provider interactions and the close working relationship of PAs with other members of the healthcare team, it is vital that PAs have a strong working understanding of the behaviors that may be construed as sexual harassment and clearly avoid them.  For this reason, all PA students will participate in a seminar on sexual harassment as a part of their professional development in the academic year of the program.  Students also will be required to complete university mandated Title IX training on Moodle in order to work with those under the age of 18. For the university forms for filing a sexual harassment complaint, please see the Reporting & Resources section of the Elon University student handbook.

Incidences of Bias, Discrimination, Harassment, and Hate: Elon University values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives of our community members. By encouraging and celebrating these differences, we create an environment that promotes freedom of thought and academic excellence. Elon University denounces bias-related conduct as a violation of University Honor Code. Bias-related incidents, including slurs based on racial or ethnic identity, faith tradition, gender expression/identity, sexual orientation, ability, and others create, a hostile educational, living and working environment and such acts are not tolerated in our academic community.

The term “bias-related” refers to language, behaviors and acts that demonstrate discrimination or hate against persons or groups because of any of the following identity categories (perceived or otherwise): race, ethnicity, faith tradition, national origin, gender, gender expression/identity, sexual orientation, age/generation, socio-economic status, and disability. These categories are examples and are not an exhaustive list of attributes or characteristics protected under this policy.  Elon works in many ways to celebrate diversity and build a more inclusive community, but we recognize that incidents of bias and hate will occur to and by our community members. When this happens, we want our students, staff, and faculty to fully understand their options for support and redress. More information regarding bias and bias reporting may be found at https://www.elon.edu/u/bias-response/

Student Complaints: The university provides a Student Complaint Form that offers students a place to submit concerns where no specific process to do so currently exists. This form is not meant for use with Title IX, disability, grade appeals, or student conduct appeals, each of which have a specific process to follow.

If a student has a complaint other than those related to Identity-based bias, Title IX, disabilities/special needs, grade appeal, or student conduct appeals, the student should:

• Attempt to resolve the issue at the office that is the source of the complaint by speaking with a supervisor.
• If step #1 does not result in a satisfactory resolution, the student will be instructed to submit a written complaint by filling out the online form located at https://www.elon.edu/u/students/complaints/.
• Any University staff member or administrator can also submit a form on behalf of a student.
• A University staff person from the office of the Vice President for Student Life will then direct the information to the appropriate department to determine a course of action.
• You will receive confirmation that your complaint was received and routed to the appropriate office within 24 hours.

If this is an emergency situation, please contact campus safety and police at (336) 278-5555.  If you have questions about this form or would like to speak with a staff member about your complaint, please contact Susan Lindley, Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Student Life (336)287-7220 or slindley@elon.edu.

Students can find the complaint form online: https://www.elon.edu/u/students/complaints/