Attachment C
Title IX Compliance at Central Washington University (CWU)
Welcome to the Title IX website, a resource on sexual misconduct for students, faculty, staff, and visitors who
are part of the Central Washington University community. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal
financial assistance”. CWU is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment that
promotes personal integrity, civility and mutual respect in an environment free of sexual misconduct and
discrimination. Sexual discrimination violates an individual’s fundamental rights and personal dignity. CWU
considers sexual discrimination in all its forms to be a serious offense. This resource refers to all forms of
sexual discrimination, including: sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence by employees,
students, or third parties. (Title 20 U.S.C. Sections 1681-1688) You can find the policy here. [Link to CWU
Title IX & Sexual Misconduct Policies check name of policy]
Title IX Coordinator Contact Information
Primary Coordinator:
Staci Sleigh-Layman (Director, Equal Opportunity)
Supporting Coordinators:
Richard DeShields
(Associate Dean of Students)
Mike Luvera
(Director of Police Services)
Gary Hyatt
(Assistant Athletic Director for Academics
& Compliance)
Kari Gage
(Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator)
Reporting Sexual Misconduct
Who can I contact about Sexual Misconduct?
Tell a trusted person about the incident. Contact the CWU Police Services at 509.925.8534 and/or the
University’s Title IX Coordinator. You may also contact the University’s Counseling Clinic at 509.963.1391 or email Rhonda McKinney, Director at mckinner@cwu.edu. The campus Sexual Assault Response Coordinator is
Andrea Easlick at the Wildcat Wellness Center and she can be contacted at 509.963.3233 or
easlicka@cwu.edu. Another helpful resource is the Ellensburg Abuse Support and Prevention/24-Hour Crisis
Line at 509.925.9384. University Housing and/or Campus Police can provide immediate referral information.
Detailed information about reporting sexual misconduct can be found in section 1.E. of the University Sexual
Assault Policy.
Resources for Victims of Sexual Misconduct
There are various supportive measures available for those who believe they have been a victim of sexual
misconduct or discrimination. These support sources include:
 The CWU Title IX Primary Coordinator can assist with finding on and off campus resources.
 The CWU Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.
 The CWU Counseling Clinic.
Reassignments
When the complainant and the accused student participate in the same class(es) and/or reside in the same
university residence or in proximity to one another, complainant may request that a fair and immediate way
to reassign and/or move one of the persons be decided upon by University Administration.
Questions & Answers
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding sexual misconduct and response:

Will my parents be told?
o Whether you are the complainant or the accused student, the University’s primary relationship
is to the student and not to the parent. However, in the event of major medical, disciplinary, or
academic jeopardy, students are strongly encouraged to inform their parents. University
officials will directly inform parents when requested to do so by a student, or in certain instance
where a health or safety emergency exists, or if the University determines such communication
is necessary. You will be informed if university officials decide that it is necessary to contact
your parents.

Does the complaint remain confidential?
o The privacy of all parties involved in a complaint of sexual misconduct will be respected.
However, under Title IX, CWU has an obligation to fully investigate allegations of sexual
misconduct. This means exchange of information will only occur on a need to know basis.
o At the conclusion of the investigation the complainant and accused will be informed of the
outcome in writing. Certain university administrators may be informed on a confidential basis
(e.g. Dean of Students, Director of Residence Life and New Student Programs).

Do the university or local police have to be involved?
If you report an act of sexual misconduct university police may be notified. Unless you give
permission, the report will be made anonymously and will not include your identity. This does
not mean charges will be automatically filed or that you must speak with the police, but the
University is legally required to notify law enforcement authorities. CWU must statistically
report the occurrence of major violent crimes on campus, but this report does not include
personally identifiable information.
o If you confide that someone under the age of 18 years or a dependent is the victim of neglect,
physical or sexual abuse, the law requires that law enforcement be notified.
Do I have to name the accused?
o The choice is yours. If you want formal disciplinary action to be taken against the accused, you
will need to provide identifying information. If you choose to respond informally and do not file
a formal complaint you do not need to identify the individual. The university has a legal
obligation to initiate an investigation where a formal complaint has not been received but
information exists that a violation of the university’s policies may have occurred.
o


Does there have to be legal prosecution in order for the University to take action?
o No, the University acts independent of the criminal justice system. However, the university will
not impede a legal investigation.

What do I do if I am accused of sexual misconduct?
o Do not contact the complainant as it may be seen as retaliation. Contact the Associate Dean of
Students/Title IX Coordinator, who can explain the University’s procedures for dealing with
sexual misconduct complaints. You may also want to talk to a confidential counselor at the
Counseling Clinic.

What about changing residence hall rooms?
o If you want to move, you may request a room change. Room changes under these
circumstances are considered emergencies. It is the university’s policy that in emergency room
changes, the student is moved to the first available suitable room. If you want the accused to
move, and believe that you have been the victim of sexual misconduct, you must be willing to
pursue formal University conduct action. The accused may be moved immediately and the
permanence of this action will be based upon the outcome of the conduct hearing. Housing
staff may assist in relocating a student, dissolving a contract, or pro-rating a refund.

What other help can I expect?
o The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator can work with other offices on- and off-campus to:
 reschedule academic assignments or exams;
 obtain an incomplete in a class;
 transfer class sections;
 arrange a leave of absence;
 provide alternative course completion options;
 coordinate services with the local sexual assault and legal advocates.

What first steps do I take after a sexual assault?
o Call 9-1-1.
o
o
Seek medical attention. Although we recommend police involvement at this juncture, it is not a
requirement for getting medical attention.
Contact the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator 509-963-3233 or ASPEN 509-925-9384 to get
information regarding what you should do.
Other important information:
 At the hospital a sexual assault nurse exam may be performed. The hospital staff may
collect evidence, check for injuries, and address the possibility of exposure to sexually
transmitted infections.
 If you have changed clothing since the assault, bring the clothing you had on at the time
of the assault with you to the hospital in a clean, sanitary container such as a clean
paper grocery bag or wrapped in a clean sheet (plastic containers do not breathe, and
may render evidence useless).
 If you have not changed clothes, bring a change of clothes with you to the hospital, if
possible, as they will likely keep the clothes you are wearing as evidence.
 You may bring a support person with you to the hospital and they may accompany you
through the exam, if you want.

Will a student be sanctioned when reporting a sexual misconduct policy violation if he/she has illegally
used drugs or alcohol?
o The severity of the infraction will determine the nature of the University’s response, but
whenever possible the University will respond educationally rather than punitively to the illegal
use of drugs and/or alcohol. The University does not want any of the circumstances (e.g., drug
or alcohol use) to inhibit the reporting of sexual misconduct.

What should I do if I am uncertain about what happened?
o If you believe that you have experienced a non‐consensual sexual contact, but are unsure of
whether it was a violation of the University’s sexual misconduct policy, contact:
 Andrea Easlick, University's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, 509.963.3233
 Staci Sleigh-Layman, Title IX Primary Coordinator, 509.963.2206
 Campus Police, 509.963.2959
 Counseling Clinic, 509.963.1391
Suggestions for Reducing Your Risk of Being Victimized:
1. Trust your instincts. If a situation feels uncomfortable for you, there is probably a good reason.
2. Clearly communicate what you want or do not want from another person. Follow through on what
you say. Ask the person you are with to do the same.
3. Know what your limits are for both alcohol and sexual behavior(s).
4. Be aware of the effects of alcohol, drugs and/or medications on your body. These substances can
interrupt the ability to make sound decisions and impair your ability to communicate clearly.
5. Use the buddy system. Make a pact with your friends to watch out for each other. Make sure that
your friends know where you are and who you’re with.
6. Do not leave your drink unattended in social settings.
7. When on a date with someone new, make sure that you are responsible for your own transportation. It
is safer to meet up with someone than to rely on an unfamiliar person for a ride.
8. Remember: Drunken sex jeopardizes your ability to get and give consent.
9. Try to avoid situations in which you may be vulnerable, including ambiguous statements such as, "We
can just cuddle."
10. When dating someone, watch out for controlling behaviors by your companion, such as:
o making all the decisions;
o
o
o
o
telling you how to dress or with whom to associate;
pressuring you to have sex once you have said no
forcing or coercing you to consume alcohol or other drugs.
Suggestions that may help reduce the risk of being accused of sexual misconduct:
1. Don’t make assumptions about:
o consent;
o someone’s sexual availability;
o whether they are attracted to you;
o how far you can go;
o whether they are physically and mentally able to consent to you.
2. Clearly communicate your intentions to your sexual partner and give them a chance to clearly relate
their intentions to you.
3. Mixed messages from your partner should be a clear indication that you should step back, defuse the
sexual tension, and communicate better. Perhaps you are misreading them. Perhaps they haven’t
figured out how far they want to go with you yet. You need to respect the timeline with which they are
comfortable.
4. Don’t take advantage of someone’s drunkenness or drugged state.
5. Realize that your potential partner could be intimidated by you or fearful. You may have a power
advantage simply because of your gender or size. Don’t abuse that power.
6. Understand that consent to some forms of sexual behavior does not necessarily imply consent to other
forms of sexual behavior.
7. On this campus, silence and passivity cannot be interpreted by you as an indication of consent. Read
your potential partner carefully, paying attention to verbal and non‐verbal communication and body
language. This is hard to do if you have had more than a drink or two.
Helpful Links
Sexual Assault Prevention Tips Guaranteed to Work!
Ways to Reduce your Risk of Sexual Assault | RAINN | Rape, Abuse ...
Tips for Preventing Sexual Assault
Green Dot Violence Prevention