SMU Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy Prohibits Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is is a violation of SMU’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, as well as state and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. SMU’s Policy is online in the University Policy Manual, smu.edu/policy, and on the Office of Institutional Access and Equity website, smu.edu/iae. 

Sexual harassment encompasses sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. SMU prohibits sexual harassment in any form and vigorously enforces University policies while supporting state and federal laws. SMU is committed to promptly and effectively resolving complaints and holding violators accountable, while treating all students fairly. Students found responsible for sexual harassment will face disciplinary sanctions up to and including expulsion from the University. Please consult the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy for definitions and examples of the various forms of sexual harassment and for a complete list of sanctions.

• 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, and prohibits all forms of sexual harassment. 

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 works in the Office of Institutional Access and Equity, which oversees the University’s nondiscrimination, affirmative action, and equal opportunity policies, procedures and programs. 

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 a complaint under the University’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy. The coordinator and deputies can also 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
• Stephen Yeager, Dedman School of Law, 214-768-4178 or email syeager@smu.edu
• Bonnie Hainline, Campus Recreation, 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
• Dawn Rogers, Athletics, 214-768-4963 or email dawnr@smu.edu