University of St. Thomas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the University doing to prevent assaults from happening?

The University strives to create an environment that is free from sexual assault.  The University provides education and outreach by informing the community of its sexual violence policy and providing ongoing programming, education and support through the Dean of Students Office, New Student Orientation, the Wellness Center, Residence Life, Public Safety, Luann Dummer Center for Women, and many other departments.  In the past year a Sexual Violence Programming Committee was initiated to assess the climate around sexual violence and provide programming and education to the campus community.  Additionally, the University takes concerns of sexual assault very seriously and does not tolerate actions that go against the University’s commitment in creating a safe environment for the UST community.  Further, the University encourages its members to be proactive in informing any concerns or instances of sexual assault. 

I was sexually assaulted more than a year ago.  Can I still get help from UST?

Support services from Personal Counseling and Student Health Services are available to students at any time, regardless of when the incident took place.  Students that bring an incident to the Dean of Students Office after one year and wish to go through the UST Resolution Process will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  However, if the identity of the perpetrator was unknown, then the complainant has one year from the time the identity was known to initiate an investigation.

What options do I have as far as pursuing a charge against the accused person?

Students have several options in dealing with an assault:

• Formal process: pursue a formal complaint and investigation through the University
• Informal assistance: discuss with Process Coordinator to outline options of which could simply be an informal discussion with the respondent (in the presence of a third party) or protective action from the University
• Confidential support: visit Personal Counseling and/or Student Health Services
• Anonymous report: report an assault anonymously with Public Safety for statistical purposes
• Area police: may simply inform of incident or file charges

What resources on campus are completely confidential that won’t result in a report, but are just for support?

For complete confidential support, the staff members of Personal Counseling and the Student Health Services are ready to assist you.  Personal Counseling provides free individual or group counseling sessions with professional staff members as well as many resources including self-help and assistance in crisis or emergencies.  Student Health Services offers pregnancy testing, sexually transmitted disease testing and gynecology exams for enrolled UST students.  Both offices also are able to offer a number of resources and referrals for your specific needs.  

The policy says that “the University cannot guarantee complete confidentiality where it would conflict with the University’s obligation to meaningfully investigate or, where warranted, take corrective action.”  What does this mean?

 In a case where the University perceives a danger or threat to the University community, it has an obligation to take appropriate action to ensure the safety of the UST community.  The University will maintain confidentiality to the extent possible in such cases.

If I report an assault at UST, who will find out about it?  Will my name be used?  Does this affect my record?

Appropriate University officials, such as the Process Coordinator, Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs, will be informed of incidents of sexual assault.  This does not mean, however, that all of these officials will necessarily know the identity of those involved with the report.  Your identity will never be shared publicly with the UST community.  And, reporting an assault will not affect your academic or disciplinary record.

I am a graduate student, most of my classes are on the Minneapolis Campus; where can I go if I have pressing concerns?

 The Life/Work Center is located in TMH 110, and is available to serve you; contact 651-962-4763 to make an appointment to see someone in Personal Counseling, Career Development or Student Financial Services; or visit our website for further information http://www.stthomas.edu/lifeworkcenter/

I do not live on campus, who can I talk to if I have issues?

We strive to serve all students, whether they live on or off-campus; however, the Commuter Center and Off-campus services can be of assistance to you, even in emergencies: http://www.stthomas.edu/commutercenter/services/default.html