Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy
Learn about UM's Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Preventing Sexual Misconduct and Violence at UM
The University of Mississippi is committed to fostering an environment that prevents violence, sexual harassment, and unwelcome sexual misconduct of employees, students, applicants for admission or employment, visitors to campus, or third parties.
- Students, faculty, and staff should be able to live, study, and work in an environment free from sexual misconduct and violence.
- The purpose of our Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct (IVSM) policy is to provide students, faculty, and staff notice of the rights and protections afforded to them and their continuing obligation to respect the dignity of each person by refraining from prohibited behaviors.
The IVSM policy outlines prohibited conduct, including unlawful discrimination based on sex and sexual harassment.
Understanding the Policy on Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct.
The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities that it operates, and is required under Title IX not to discriminate in such a manner.
- Title IX, however, is triggered only if the alleged conduct occurred within a University program or activity.
- To expand the protection of the University community, in addition to its Title IX Policy, the University also has an Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy that works to protect members of the University community from sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and sexual misconduct that does not occur within a University’s program or activity.
Sexual harassment, which, under Title IX, includes sexual assault and certain forms of relationship violence, is also prohibited under the University’s Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy.
In addition to protecting members of the University community from sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and sexual misconduct that does not occur within a University’s program or activity, the Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy also protects individuals from sexual exploitation.
The University defines Sexual Exploitation to includes the following behaviors that occur inside or outside a University program or activity, and includes but is not limited to:
- Non-consensual videotaping, audiotaping, or photographing of sexual activity even if the sexual act is consensual
- Non-consensual posting, publishing, sharing, or displaying photo, audio, or video of sexual activity even if the activity was originally recorded with effective consent
- Voyeurism, which is a form of sexual exploitation in which one individual engages in secretive observation or non-consensual video or audio taping of another for personal sexual pleasure
- Any collecting, creating, viewing, and/or distributing of pornography/sexual images of those under the age of eighteen (18)
Interim Title IX Coordinator
The Interim Title IX Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the development of sexual misconduct policies, ensuring compliance with Title IX and relevant federal and state regulations, and overseeing investigation and adjudication of formal complaints.
The Interim Title IX Coordinator is also responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of supportive measures and accommodations, with or without the filing of a formal complaint.
Marissa Watson
Interim Title IX Coordinator