Definitions

These definitions are adapted from the University's Policy for clarification and simplicity. They are general and can be applied to things such as processes, resources, and individual identities.

 

University Resources

Resources provided or paid for by the University of Virginia ("the University").

Community Resources

Resources provided or paid for by any organization or individual outside of the University.

Complainant

Any person reported to be the target of conduct that could constitute a violation of the University's Sexual Misconduct Policy (the “University’s Policy”).

Respondent

Any person reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitue a violation of the University's Policy.

Student

Those who are registered or enrolled for credit- or non-credit-bearing coursework at the University of Virginia.

Employee

All full-time and part-time faculty, University Staff, Student employees, Medical Center employees and classified staff, wage (including temporary employees), professional research staff, and post-doctoral fellows at the University of Virginia.

Report

Any information received by the University that implicates the Sexual Misconduct Policy. A report is not the same as a Formal Complaint.

Formal Complaint

A document filed in person, by mail, or by email, signed by the Complainant or Title IX Coordinator, that alleges that a Respondent engaged in Title IX Prohibited Conduct and/or Sexual and Gender-Based Prohibited Conduct and requests that the University investigate the matter.

Confidential

Information that is shared with people in various professions, described here, and is not allowed to be shared with a third party (except in special circumstances, such as a law or court order that requires disclosure of this information). A list of Confidential Employees and resources can be found here.

Private

Describes resources that are not Confidential; information will be shared with a limited circle of University Employees who “need to know” in order to assist in the assessment, investigation, and resolution of the report. All “Responsible Employees,” described in greater detail here, are required to report when they hear of Prohibited Conduct. The reporting requirement is because no one should deal with this in silence or alone, and everyone deserves to be helped in the way that is best for them.

Anonymous

Describes resources in which the individual providing information will not be identified; these resources are an option for those afraid of being identified as the Complainant.

Supportive Measures

Non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to Complainants before or after filing of a Formal Complaint or where no Formal Complaint has been filed and to Respondents after a Formal Complaint has been filed. These measures may be both designed to address an individual’s safety and well-being and to preserve or restore equal access to educational opportunities without unreasonably burdening the other party.

 

If you are wondering what kind of resource is best for you (University, community, private, etc...) please see here.