Student Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures
I. Policy Statement on Student Sexual Misconduct
Luther College is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment where all members of the community—students, faculty, staff, and visitors—are treated with respect and dignity. Therefore, the college will not tolerate sexual misconduct in any form. Sexual misconduct is not only an act against an individual; it is also an act that affects the entire college community.
Maintaining a safe environment requires that any sexual behavior of students be consensual. Special emphasis is placed on violence prevention, providing support to those who may have been victimized, and ensuring enforcement of institutional policy and law. The college seeks to balance the rights, needs, and privacy of those students who may have been victimized, as well as those students who have been accused, while maintaining the health and safety of the campus community.
This policy describes prohibited sexual conduct in which a Luther student is involved, including sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of non-consensual sexual behavior; identifies resources and support provided to victims; establishes procedures for reporting incidents of sexual misconduct; and articulates the college’s commitment to preventing sexual misconduct and responding appropriately when incidents do occur. This policy is an elaboration of the Luther Code of Conduct. Sexual misconduct is a violation of the Luther Code of Conduct and is subject to the same jurisdiction, regulations, conduct procedures, and sanctions as described in the Code of Conduct and/or highlighted below.
Luther College encourages students who believe they have been the victims of sexual misconduct to report incidents to appropriate college authorities as described in part IV of this policy. Perpetrators of sexual misconduct will be subject to strict disciplinary action by the college, up to and including suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate sanctions. Retaliation against an individual who brings a complaint, participates in an investigation of sexual misconduct, or pursues legal action is prohibited and will not be tolerated.