Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Melissa Kelley <>]

A good faith report doesn’t have to end in a responsible finding or action. A good faith report is a report made by a person believing themselves to be victim of a perpetration or a bystander reporting what they found or saw. The only kind of report that isn’t in good faith is one done that is fake/false (not the same as unfounded or unsupported), one made up or one that is fiction. Just because we cannot find responsibility doesn’t mean that we don’t believe someone or that they are lying. Amnesty applies because in the course of drinking or drug use something occurred and that ‘something’ is the reason for the process/adjudication/report. We don’t want someone to be afraid to tell us of an assault because they had been drinking or be afraid to call for help for someone because they are under the influence of a substance. 

If we have an unfounded report or a finding of not responsible we do not change the amnesty protections. 

On Wed, Apr 18, 2018 at 4:41 PM S. Daniel Carter <> wrote:

Colleagues,

 

I had an interesting question posed to me today about effectively communicating to students how “amnesty” policies work, and was hoping the group may have some insights. The issue is what is the best way to accurately convey to students reporting an incident or incidents of sexual violence that they won’t be subject to disciplinary action for conduct, most frequently underage drinking, that is brought to the attention of the college or university only as a result of that report? This is particularly an issue if the underlying policy has a qualifier such as that it is a “good faith” report, as this may lead some to conclude if there isn’t a finding of responsibility by the accused or action doesn’t move forward they may not be protected. Thank you in advance.

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S. Daniel Carter, President

Safety Advisors for Educational Campuses, LLC

Inspire - Engage - Equip - Empower

http://safecampuses.biz

P.O. Box 2019, Thomson, GA 30824

202-684-6471 | Fax 706-522-9196

 

 

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Dr. Melissa A. Kelley, CHES
Office of the President I Title IX Coordinator
Union College
403E Reamer Campus Center
807 Union Street
Schenectady NY 12308

518.388.6865 office