Issue link: http://howardcc.uberflip.com/i/542144
82 HCC does not want the fear of receiving disciplinary charges and/or disciplinary sanction to prevent a student from reporting an incident of sexual misconduct. Victim Reporting The college encourages victims of sexual misconduct to report those incidents to the college's Title IX coordinator, or any responsible employee with whom the victim feels comfortable. The college will offer victims of sexual misconduct options for reporting the misconduct and requesting interim measures required by Title IX. The victim reports the misconduct to the Title IX coordinator or another college employee whom the college has designated as responsible for receiving or responding to reports of sexual misconduct. Reports of sexual misconduct to responsible employees will be forwarded to the Title IX coordinator who will determine what steps need to be taken. Generally, the college will investigate the report to determine what occurred and the college will provide interim measures during the investigative process and any disciplinary process. Third Party and Anonymous Reporting Individuals who have become aware of a violation of this sexual misconduct policy that does not involve the individual directly should report the misconduct to the college's Title IX coordinator. If an individual wishes to report a violation of the sexual misconduct policy anonymously, the report should also be made to the Title IX coordinator. Anonymous reporting may limit the college's actions. Interim Measures Interim measures are those services, accommodations, or other assistance that the college puts in place for victims after receiving notice of alleged sexual misconduct but before any final outcomes - investigatory, disciplinary, or remedial - have been determined. The college will determine which measures are appropriate for a particular victim on a case-by-case basis. In those instances where interim measures affect both a victim and the alleged perpetrator, the college will minimize the burden on the victim wherever appropriate. The college will work with victims to identify what interim measures are appropriate in the short-term (e.g., during the pendency of an investigation or other college response), and will continue to work collaboratively throughout the college's processes and as needed thereafter to assess whether the instituted measures are effective, and if not, what additional or different measures are necessary to keep the victim safe. Investigation of Complaint Once the college knows or reasonably should know of possible sexual misconduct, it must take immediate and appropriate action, in accordance with its internal procedures, to investigate or otherwise determine what occurred. This obligation applies to sexual misconduct covered by this policy regardless of where the sexual misconduct allegedly occurred, regardless of whether a concurrent law enforcement investigation or action is pending, and regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed. A request for confidentiality by the individual reporting alleged sexual misconduct may limit, but not prohibit, the college's