Sexual Misconduct and Title IX

Sexual Misconduct and Harassment, Relationship Violence, Stalking, Retaliation, and Title IX

The Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX, 20 U.S.C.Sec.1681, et seq.) state, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

The College of Southern Maryland strives to create a work and learning environment that is inclusive, free from discrimination and/or harassment, and values diversity in the broadest form. Sexual misconduct is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by federal and state discrimination laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and is strictly prohibited by CSM.  

To maintain an environment based on mutual respect and civility, CSM has enacted a policy prohibiting sexual misconduct, including:

  • Sexual Harassment - any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature or unwelcome conduct based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression
  • Sexual Assault - any non-consensual sexual act or touching of another's intimate parts
  • Domestic and Dating Violence - physical harm or intimidation of a spouse or intimate partner
  • Stalking - behaviors directed at a specific person that would reasonably cause fear for the safety of self or others or suffer substantial emotional distress.
  • Retaliation - acting in a manner considered to be revenge for reporting an incident, bystander intervention, or taking part in an investigation

The full Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, Stalking and Retaliation can be found within the Policies and Procedures section of the College of Southern Maryland website.

Report Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, Stalking, or Retaliation


Role of the Title IX Coordinator

Kevin Hunter, Executive Director, Student Affairs, has been appointed to serve as the College’s Title IX Coordinator. He will be informed of all reports of sexual misconduct and will oversee the College’s review, investigation, and resolution of those reports to ensure the College’s compliance with Title IX and other applicable laws, and the effective implementation of this policy. The Title IX Coordinator is:

  • Responsible for overseeing the resolution of all reports of sexual misconduct involving students, staff, and faculty as well as volunteers and third parties;
  • Knowledgeable and trained in College policies and procedures and relevant state and federal laws;
  • Available to advise any individual, including a complainant, a respondent, or a third party, about the courses of action available at the College, both informally and formally, and in the community;
  • Available to provide assistance to any College employee regarding how to respond appropriately to a report of sexual misconduct;
  • Responsible for monitoring compliance with all procedural requirements, record keeping and time frames outlined in this policy;
  • Responsible for overseeing training, prevention and education efforts, and reviews of climate and culture; and
  • Responsible for conducting or overseeing investigations of complaints against students.

The Coordinator is empowered to issue findings and impose sanctions for violations of this Policy regarding sexual misconduct and other forms of discrimination. The Coordinator is also empowered to issue findings and impose sanctions for any violations of the Student Code of Conduct directly related to the alleged sexual misconduct or any alleged Policy violations.

Inquiries or complaints concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the College’s Title IX Coordinator and/or the United States Department of Education:

Title IX Coordinator
Kevin Hunter
301-539-4746
titleix@csmd.edu

U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
ocr@ed.gov

 

 

Emergency Assistance and Reporting Resources

The first priority for any individual should be personal safety and well-being. The College encourages all individuals who have experienced sexual misconduct to seek assistance by contacting CSM Public Safety, calling 911, contacting local law enforcement, and/or visiting a medical facility immediately after an incident of sexual misconduct.

In the event of an emergency, individuals may obtain support from any of the following:

CSM Public Safety
La Plata, 301-934-7754;
Leonardtown, 240-725-5333;
Prince Frederick, 443- 550-6033.

Charles County Sheriff’s Office
301-932-2222

Calvert County Sheriff’s Office
410-535-2800

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office
301-475-8008

Area Hospitals:

(These are the closest hospitals if a sexual-assault evidence-collection exam is desired.)

Med Star St. Mary’s Hospital
301-475-8981

Calvert Memorial Hospital
410-535-4000

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center
301-609-4000

The College encourages complainants to pursue criminal action for incidents of sexual misconduct that may also be crimes under Maryland law, such as sexual assault, stalking and rape. The College will assist a complainant, at the complainant’s request, in contacting local law enforcement; filing a report; and obtaining a protective order. The College will cooperate with law enforcement agencies if a complainant decides to pursue the criminal process.

Charles County Sheriff’s Office
301-932-2222

Calvert County Sheriff’s Office
410-535-2800

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office
301-475-8008

Maryland State Police
301-392-1200, La Plata;
410-535-1400, Prince Frederick

The College recognizes that a student or employee may choose to report to any employee of the College. No CSM employee may promise confidentiality (except to the College’s Counselor), and all CSM employees are expected to share such information with the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator. CSM considers all employees, other than those identified above under Confidential Resources, to be “responsible employees”.

If a reporter discloses an incident to a responsible employee but wishes to maintain confidentiality or requests that no investigation into a particularly incident be conducted or disciplinary action be taken, the College must weigh that request against the College’s obligation to provide a safe, non- discriminatory environment for all students, including the reporter.

A complainant may also make a report directly to the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator.

Individuals who are seeking confidential consultation, several resources provide confidential support, both on campus and in the local community. The trained professionals designated below can provide counseling, information, and support under legally protected confidentiality. Because these relationships involve privileged conversations, these confidential resources will not share information about a patient/client (including whether or not that individual has received services) with the Title IX Coordinator or any other employee of the College without the individual’s express written permission.

Following is the contact information for these confidential resources:

On Campus

Students may receive confidential counseling from the college’s counselor by contacting: Ann Penick, Counselor, at 301-934-7577 or counselor@csmd.edu

Employees of the college have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additional information can be found on CSM's health and wellness benefits page.

Off Campus

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)
1-800-656-(HOPE) 4673

Walden Sierra, Inc
301-863-6661, Waldorf, MD
301-997-1300 ext 871, California, MD

Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
301-328-7023

Turn Around Inc
443-279-0379

Any individual may make an anonymous report concerning incidents of sexual misconduct. An individual may report the incident without disclosing his or her name, identifying the respondent, or requesting any action. The individual making the report is encouraged to provide as much detailed information as possible to allow the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator to investigate and respond as appropriate. Depending on the extent of information available about the incident or the individuals involved, however, the College’s ability to respond and/or investigate to an anonymous report may be limited.

Below is the contact information for each designated Title IX coordinator or investigator at the College. Additionally, incident reports submitted online are sent directly to the Title IX coordinator or investigators once submitted and can be considered another method of contact.

Kevin Hunter
Title IX Coordinator
La Plata Campus, AD Building, Room 220A
301-539-4746
khunter@csmd.edu or titleix@csmd.edu

Dr. Mitchell Levy
Title IX Investigator
Leonardtown Campus, Building A, Room 204B
301-934-7566

Michelle Ruble
Title IX Investigator
La Plata Campus, CC Building, Room 101
301-934-4711
mruble@csmd.edu or titleix@csmd.edu

Dr. Stephanie McCaslin
Title IX Investigator
La Plata Campus
301-934-7803
sdmccaslin@csmd.edu or titleix@csmd.edu

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