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Offices of the Dean of Student Life - Your Aggie Connection
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions by Victims of Crimes of Violence

 

How do I report what happened?

You can report the incident by submitting a Campus Community Incident Report on-line, by printing off the form and completing, or coming in person to complete the form at the SCRS Office. Please click here for the Campus Community Incident Report.

You may also consider filing a report with the Texas A&M University Police Department.

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What are my rights as a victim of a crime of violence?

The Student Rules, Section 26.2, outlines the rights of a victim in a student conduct proceeding. They are:

  • Right not to be in attendance at the student conduct proceeding.
  • Right to submit a victim impact statement that details the alleged consequences suffered by the victim.
  • Right to have a personal advisor/counselor accompany him/her during the student conduct proceeding. An attorney may appear at a student conduct proceeding with the victim to provide advice, but may not represent the victim or directly question or cross-examine witnesses, except in a case where the university is represented by an attorney.
  • Right to request immediate on-campus housing relocation (based on available space), transfer of classes or other steps to prevent unnecessary or unwanted contact or proximity to the accused, when such contact is likely to place the victim in danger of bodily injury and/or cause the victim severe emotional distress.
  • Right to be informed of the outcome of the student conduct conference upon request. The proceedings and outcome of all student conduct proceedings are considered confidential information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Such information should not be shared outside the proceedings, unless the proceeding has been declared an open proceeding.
  • Right to not have his/her past behavioral history discussed during the student conduct proceeding. Questions of relevancy shall be determined by the student conduct conference officer.
  • Right to make a record of the proceeding at the victim’s own expense. The victim is NOT allowed to retain a copy of this recording. The recording will become a part of the charged student’s disciplinary file.

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Are there campus or community agencies that can help with victims of violence and sexual violence?

Gender Issues Education Services, Offices of the Dean of Student Life (979) 845-1107

  • Support in crisis and through the recovery process.
  • Advocacy through the conduct, medical and counseling process.
  • Assistance in contacting professors, with residence hall arrangements (for victims living on campus), with referrals, and with the disciplinary process.
  • Educational programs and individual consultation.

Student Counseling Service (979) 845-2700

  • 24-hour emergency peer support by phone or professional counseling for currently enrolled students
  • Individual, couples, and/or group counseling.

Brazos County Rape Crisis Center, (979) 731-1000

  • 24-hour emergency hotline and face-to-face counseling.
  • Advocacy and support throughout medical and/or legal procedures.
  • Support for survivors and their friends and family.
  • Confidential, web-based counseling

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What will happen to the accused student?

Based on the information you provide and possible further investigation, the student may be charged with a violation of University student rules. The student will have a student conduct conference, and a decision will be made about their responsibility for the alleged actions. If they are responsible, they will be issued an appropriate sanction(s) by the student conduct officer(s). If they are found not responsible, the record will be destroyed. To find a student responsible for a violation, the university must have a preponderance of evidence or 51% evidence that a policy violation occurred.

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Am I allowed to participate in the student conduct conference?

That is up to you. Alleged victims have several options from which they can choose from to determine their involvement in any student conduct proceedings that may occur. Those include:

  • You may provide a "statement of fact" related to this incident for use in a student conduct conference. In addition, you would have to answer any questions posed by a University official investigating this incident.
  • You may participate "in person" at any student conduct conference related to this incident.
  • You may participate via a telephone conference call at any student conduct conference related to this incident.
  • You may answer written questions posed by the student conduct officer(s) or the accused student(s).
  • You may choose to not participate in any student conduct conference related to this incident.

Victims have the option of scheduling a student conduct conference information session before a student conduct conference. In a student conduct conference information session, a staff member meets with the victim to fully explain the student conduct process, answer any questions the victim may have about procedures during a student conduct conference, and discuss the options available for participation, including the coordination of a possible student conduct conference date and time. Victims may also submit a victim-impact statement, with the understanding that the accused student has the right to review all information placed therein.

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If the accused student is found responsible, how will they be punished?

There are several factors that are taken into consideration by the student conduct officer(s) when deterring what an appropriate sanction for a student is. The student conduct officer(s) will examine the following:

  • The nature of the violation
  • Previous conduct history
  • Aggravating or mitigating circumstances surrounding the violation
  • The motivation for the behavior
  • Similar sanctions that have assigned for similar cases
  • The developmental and educational impact of the sanction

Please refer to the Student Rules, Section 27 for a complete list of sanctions that may be imposed for a violation of the Student Rules.

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Can I find out what happens to the accused student?

Victims of alleged crimes of violence may be notified of the outcome of a student conduct proceeding in one of the following ways:

  • You may be notified of the outcome of the student conduct conference via telephone call only.
  • You may be notified of the outcome of the student conduct conference via written documentation.
  • You may be notified of the outcome of the student conduct conference in person.
  • You do not have to be notified of the outcome of the student conduct conference at all.

We encourage victims to discuss all of their rights afford to them under the Student Rules with one of the staff members of the SCRS Office.

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If I say anything I may be retaliated against. How should I protect myself?

If you feel threatened in any way during this process, please contact the Texas A&M University Police Department to file a report.

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Is filing a report the same as filing charges?

No. Conduct action may be pursued against any student who allegedly commits a violation of University Student Rules. Decisions regarding the pursuit of charges is determined by Student Conflict Resolution Services. Individual complainants, victims, and/or witnesses cannot force charges to be filed. Additionally, participation by complainants, witnesses, and/or victims is not necessary for conduct charges to be filed and action pursued.

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Can I drop the charges?

Student conduct proceedings and actions are not subject to challenge or postponement on the grounds that criminal or civil charges involving the same incident have been dismissed, reduced, or are pending in civil or criminal court. Individual complainants, victims, and/or witnesses cannot force charges to be dropped.

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Who can I contact if I have more questions?

Please contact the SCRS Office at (979) 847-7272 or in person at Cain Hall, Room C315. You may also contact us via email at scrs@tamu.edu.

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