Sexual Violence, Alcohol, and Other Drugs

Choosing to use alcohol and/or other drugs and choosing to engage in sexual activity are two separate choices. While certain choices may increase a person’s risk of sexual violence, only the person who committed the violence is to blame.

Addressing sexual violence is more important than determining whether the complainant may have violated policies about alcohol and/or other drugs. Therefore, the College encourages the reporting of sexual violence in all circumstances. The College also recognizes that respondents sometimes use alcohol and/or other drugs as a tool to facilitate sexual violence.

At the discretion of the Director of Student Conduct, student complainants who used alcohol or other drugs will be given an alcohol and/or other drug-related educational outcome with a referral to support resources instead of being sanctioned for an alcohol and/or other drug violation.

If the evidence shows that the respondent more than likely engaged in sexual violence, the respondent will be held responsible for their behavior whether or not they consumed alcohol and/or other drugs.