Sexual harassment is prohibited by SMU’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, and the federal law Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
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SMU’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy is online in the University Policy Manual, smu.edu/policy, and on the Office of Institutional Access and Equity website, smu.edu/iae. The Policy is reviewed and approved each biennium by the SMU Board of Trustees.
Sexual harassment includes sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated in the SMU community. Learn more about sexual harassment definitions and examples, including sexual assault and consent.
Students found responsible for sexual harassment face disciplinary sanctions up to and including expulsion from the University.
- How to report sexual harassment to SMU and file a complaint under the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy
As defined by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance, including SMU.
Title IX requires universities and colleges to investigate reports of sexual harassment and to provide internal grievance procedures. These procedures offer students reporting sexual assault and other acts of sexual violence an avenue for holding violators accountable for their actions, in addition to the criminal process.
Title IX also requires the University to appoint a Title IX Coordinator. SMU’s Title IX Coordinator resides in the Office of Institutional Access and Equity, which develops and manages University policies, procedures and programs of equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action. The Office serves SMU students, employees, applicants and visitors. SMU’s prohibition against discrimination, including on the basis of sex, includes any employment practice, education program or educational activity.
SMU’s Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators are available to assist students who have questions or concerns regarding sexual harassment or who wish to file an internal complaint under the University’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy. The Coordinator and Deputies also can provide students with information about SMU and community resources. Please feel free to contact any of the following SMU employees for assistance. Deputies serve campus-wide; their departments and schools are listed for informational purposes only.
SMU Title IX Coordinator
- Samantha Thomas, Office of Institutional Access and Equity, 214-768-3601 or email thomassa@smu.edu
SMU Deputy Title IX Coordinators
- Denise Gauthier , Office of Institutional Access and Equity, 214-768-3601 or email dgauthier@smu.edu
- Jasper Chieng, Office of Institutional Access and Equity, 214-768-3601 or email jchieng@smu.edu
- Bonnie Hainline, Intramurals/Sport Clubs, Student Affairs, 214-768-3367 or email bhainline@smu.edu
- Alan Itkin, Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, 214-768-4202 or email aitkin@smu.edu
- Susan Vollmerhausen, Athletics, 214-768-4963 or email vollmerhause@smu.edu
- Steve Yeager, Dedman School of Law, 214-768-4178 or email syeager@smu.edu