What are My Rights & Reporting Options

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination based on sex*, which includes sexual and relationship violence at any federally funded education program or activity. When the College receives a report of sexual and relationship violence or discrimination, it will respond in a prompt and equitable manner, consider and process every report based on its own facts and circumstances, and prohibit retaliation against anyone for raising complaints or participating in a process related to Title IX.

For information about SCC’s Access, Equity & Diversity Office, visit the SCC Diversity Office website.

*The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights enforces Title IX's prohibition on discrimination on the basis of sex to also include discrimination based on gender identity.

You have the right to report an incident of sexual or relationship violence to the college, law enforcement, or both. You also have the right not to make a report.

Anyone who reports any type of sexual misconduct (e.g., sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and intimate partner violence) to a College employee will be informed in a timely manner of all their rights and options, including the necessary steps and potential outcomes of each option. When choosing a reporting resource, the following information should be considered:

• All reports of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault and intimate, stalking, and partner violence, will be treated seriously and with dignity by the College.
• Referrals to on and off-campus counseling and medical services are available immediately and confidentially to victims of assault. Support and assistance are available even if you decide not to report the assault to police, Campus Safety & Security Specialists, the Assistant Campus Director/Dean of Students or the College’s Title IX Coordinator.
• Those who have been assaulted have the right to take legal action (criminal/civil action) and administrative action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
• Reports of an assault to be handled in a confidential manner by contacting Hope Crisis Center (York, Seward, Fillmore, Saline, Gage, Thayer & Jefferson counties), Voices of Hope (Lancaster county), The Bridge (Saunders county), or Project Response (Otoe, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, & Richardson counties). All agencies are bound by state statutes and professional ethics to maintain confidentiality without written releases. More information can be found at Nebraska Coalition to end sexual and domestic violence.

Those who report being subjected to sexual misconduct, including harassment, sexual assault or intimate partner violence, shall be provided written information about her/his right to:

(1) Notify law enforcement and receive assistance from campus authorities in making the notification; and,

(2) Obtain a protective order, apply for a temporary restraining order or seek enforcement of an existing order. Such orders include:

• standing criminal protective orders;
• protective orders issued in cases of stalking, harassment, sexual assault, or risk of injury to or impairing the morals of a child;
• temporary restraining orders or protective orders prohibiting the harassment of a witness;
• relief from physical abuse by a family or household member or person in a dating relationship;
• family violence protective orders.

Information pertaining to how to apply for a restraining order. In addition, the Nebraska Crime Commission is the state's lead agency established to provide services to victims of violent crime. For further information, including contact information see: Nebraska's Office of Violence Protection or call 402-471-2194.

The Title IX Coordinator or Campus Safety/Security Personnel can assist in obtaining interim protective measures and accommodations for individuals involved in reports of sexual and relationship violence. When requested, and reasonably available, the following supports may be enacted:

• changes to academic, living, dining, working, and transportation situations
• honoring lawful protective or temporary restraining orders.

Interim measures are available whether or not a victim reports to local law enforcement or pursues internal disciplinary options.

Title IX Coordinator:

• Robert Sanford, Administrative Director of Title IX and Institutional Compliance for Southeast Community College. The Title IX Coordinator’s Office is located at 301 S 68th St. Place in Lincoln NE. 402-323-3418 Office. rsanford@southeast.edu.
• The Title IX Coordinator works with other offices (e.g., Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Human Resources, Athletics, etc.) and Campus Safety/Security Personnel to address Title IX complaints and compliance issues.

Beatrice Campus, Nebraska City & Falls City Learning Centers:

• Toni Landenberger, Dean of Students/Assistant Campus Director, 402-228-8286, tlandenberger@southeast.edu
• Mark Meints, Safety & Security Specialist, 402-228-8279, mmeints@southeast.edu
• Beatrice Police Department, 402-223-4080 │ Gage County Sheriff, 402-223-5221

Lincoln Campus (Including 8800 O Street, Education Square, Continuing Education Center, Entrepreneurship Center), Plattsmouth & Wahoo Learning Centers:

• Eric Small, Dean of Students/Assistant Athletic Director, 402-437-2559, esmall@southeast.edu
• Sam Loos, Safety & Security Specialist, 402-437-2408, sloos@southeast.edu
• Lincoln Police Department, 402-441-6000 │ Lancaster County Sheriff, 402-441-6500

Milford Campus, York & Hebron Learning Centers:

• Theresa Webster, Dean of Students/Assistant Campus Director, 402-4761-8270, twebster@southeast.edu
• Milford Police Department, 402-761-2772 │ Seward County Sheriff, 402-643-4578

Additional information available on the SCC additional resources page.

SCC has established a confidential/anonymous reporting site for students, employees and visitors to report suspicious or unusual behavior, or other incidents, that occur on any College-owned or College-operated facility or at any College sponsored event or activity, either on or off campus. Confidential reports can be submitted by filing a CCR report.

All SCC faculty and staff who have not otherwise been designated as confidential reporting resources (defined below) are “responsible employees.” Title IX requires that when a responsible employee learns of sex* discrimination, including sexual or relationship violence, that individual is required to promptly advise the Title IX Coordinator, Campus Administration or other appropriate designees. Because of this, please note that, although SCC takes survivor confidentiality very seriously, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when informing SCC employees who have not otherwise been designated as confidential reporting resources of incidents of sexual or relationship violence.

Whenever SCC’s Title IX Coordinator or other responsible employee receives a report that a student or employee has been subjected to sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, or intimate partner violence), the College’s Title IX Coordinator, or other responsible employee, shall immediately provide the alleged victim with contact information for and, if requested, professional assistance in accessing and using campus, local advocacy, counseling, health, and mental health services. The following list of services, including contact information, is provided for this purpose:

• Office of Civil Rights (OCR), Department of Education’s webpage:
  https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html
• National Sexual Assault Hotline 800-656-HOPE or online at https://ohl.rainn.org/online/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 TTY 800-787-3224
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence 800-537-2238 x5 TTY 800-553-2508
• Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence: Nebraska has a network of domestic violence and sexual assault programs ensure that a safety net of services are available across our state 24-hours a day. www.nebraskacoalition.org/
  • Voices of Hope (Lancaster county)
    • 24-Hour Crisis Line: (402) 475-7273
    • Email Address: info@voicesofhopelincoln.orgWebsite
    • Mailing Address: 2545 N St., Lincoln, NE 68510
  • Hope Crisis Center (York, Seward, Fillmore, Saline, Gage, Thayer & Jefferson counties)
    • 24-Hour Crisis Line: 877-388-HOPE (4673)
    • Website: www.hopecrisiscenter.org
  • The Bridge (Saunders county)
    • 24-Hour Crisis Line: 888-721-4340; 402-727-7777
    • Website: www.bridgefromviolence.com
  • Project Response (Otoe, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, & Richardson counties)
    • 24-Hour Crisis Line: 800-456-5764
    • Website: www.projectresponseinc.org
• Lincoln Police Department's Victim Witness Unit: provides information and support services to victims and witnesses of crime, 402-441-7181
• Friendship Home: provides shelter and support for battered women and their children 402-437-9302
• Medical Treatment:
  • Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center; 4800 Hospital Parkway; 402-228-3344
  • Bryan LGH East Campus; 1600 S. 48th St., Lincoln, NE; 402-481-1111
  • Bryan LGH West Campus; 2300 S. 16th St., Lincoln, NE; 402-481-1111
  • CHI Health St. Elizabeth Medical Regional Center; 555 S. 70th St., Lincoln, NE; 402-219-8000
  • Memorial Health Care Center; 300 North Columbia, Seward, NE; 402-643-2971

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Information will only be shared with those employees who “need to know” in order to assist the review, investigation, resolution or remediation of the report.

SCC is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals involved in a report of prohibited conduct. In any report, investigation or resolution of a report, every effort will be made to protect the privacy interests and expectations of all individuals involved in a manner consistent with the need for a thorough review of the allegation and to the extent required or permitted by law. Information will only be shared with those employees who “need to know” in order to assist the review, investigation, resolution or remediation of the report.

SCC takes confidentiality very seriously and takes steps to protect confidentiality to the extent required by law. Information shared with designated confidential campus or community professionals cannot be revealed without express permission, or as otherwise permitted or required by law. At SCC, designated confidential reporting resources are counselors with the Counseling Assistance Program for Students (CAPS). For more information about the CAPS, call 402-228-8135 ext. 1135.

NOTE: SCC aims to honor requests for confidentiality or anonymity where possible. However, there may be times where the College will move forward with the Student Code of Conduct Process or other response even if an individual declines to participate.

Southeast Community College is committed to providing a prompt and equitable resolution to issues of sexual and relationship violence. For students, this includes the Student Conduct Process.

Title IX & Sexual Misconduct Review Process

• Information about the Student Code of Conduct Review Process can be accessed at: https://www.southeast.edu/philosophyofstudentconduct/.
• A survivor may serve as the complainant or as a witness in the Review Process.
• The survivor and referred student are allowed to have an advisor of their choosing, including an attorney, throughout the Review Process.
• SCC prohibits retaliation against anyone raising complaints/participating in a process under Title IX.
• SCC uses a “more likely than not” standard in its Review Process to determine if a violation occurred.
• Sanctions imposed may include probation, no contact restrictions, suspension, or dismissal.
• All employees who respond to sexual and relationship violence and participate in making policy determinations through the Review Process regarding incidents of sexual and relationship violence have undergone appropriate training on an annual basis.
• At the conclusion of the Review Process, both parties are simultaneously notified in writing of the outcome, appeal rights, if any changes are made to an outcome, and when an outcome is final.