Students' Bill of Rights

The State University of New York and SUNY Orange are committed to providing options, support and assistance to alleged victims/victims/survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking to ensure that they can continue to participate in SUNY Orange programs, activities, and employment.

All alleged victims/victims/survivors, regardless of race color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction, have the following rights, regardless of whether the crime or violation occurs on campus, off campus, or while studying abroad.

All students have the right to:

• Make a report to local law enforcement and/or state police;
• Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault treated seriously;
• Make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the judicial or conduct process and/or criminal justice process free from pressure from the institution;
• Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard;
• Be treated with dignity and to receive from the institution courteous, fair, and respectful health care and counseling services, where available;
• Be free from any suggestion that the reporting individual is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed, or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations;
• Describe the incident to as few institutional representatives as practicable and not to be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident;
• Be free from retaliation by the institution, the accused and/or the respondent, and/or their friends, family and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the institution;
• Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination;
• Be accompanied by an advisor of choice who may assist and advise a reporting individual, accused, or respondent throughout the judicial or conduct process including during all meetings and hearings related to such process;
• Exercise civil rights and practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or judicial or conduct process of SUNY Orange.

Options in Brief:

Alleged victims/victims/survivors have many options that can be pursued simultaneously, including one or more of the following:

• Receive resources, such as counseling and medical attention;
• Confidentially disclose a crime or violation by contacting the Wellness Center and speaking with a licensed mental health professional and/or a registered nurse;
• Anonymously disclose a crime or violation by utilizing the blue light emergency phones or red phones available on campus;
• Make a report to:
  • An employee with the authority to address complaints, including the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinators, an employee from the Office of the Vice President for Student Services, or a Human Resources employee;
  • Safety and Security;
  • Local law enforcement; and/or
  • Family Court or Civil Court

For detailed information on confidentiality and privacy see Options for Confidentially Disclosing Sexual Violence in the Student Handbook on the SUNY Orange web page. For additional information regarding Title IX, please see the Title IX Grievance Procedure. Furthermore, for additional information on sexual violence prevention and response, see the Sexual Violence Response Policy in the Student Handbook on the SUNY Orange web page.