Mandated Reporting

What is a Title IX Mandated Reporter?

A Mandated Reporter has the obligation to report incidents of sexual misconduct involving students to the UNI Title IX Officer (Leah Gutknecht, 319-273-2846, leah.gutknecht@uni.edu) or Title IX Deputy Coordinator (Kaylee Michelson 319-273-2846, kaylee.michelson@uni.edu)

Mandated Reporters include all employees of the University (as well as student employees). Only employees with a professional duty of confidentiality, such as health service providers, counselors, athletic trainers are not obligated to report information they receive during confidential conversations. If you have any questions about your duty to report, please contact the Title IX Officer.

What do you report as a Title IX Mandated Reporter?

Mandated Reporters have the obligation to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct involving students to the UNI Title IX Officer or the UNI Title IX Deputy Coordinator. Incidents that require reporting can include:

• Discrimination

• Harassment

• Title IX Sexual Harassment

• Sexual Misconduct

For a more information and definitions of the incidents that require reporting, please refer to the UNI Policy on Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct (PDF).

Am I a Mandated Reporter?

All University employees, including all administrators, faculty members, staff, and student employees are Title IX Mandated Reporters. The only exception would be someone obligated to keep confidentiality based upon their position or licensing (i.e. counselors or health service providers).

What is required of a Mandated Reporter?

Mandated Reporters must promptly report allegations or disclosures of sexual misconduct involving a student to the Title IX Officer. As a Mandated Reporter, you have a duty to report in detail all incidents of sexual violence, sexual harassment, or other sexual misconduct to the Title IX Officer. It is understood students may reasonably trust you have the authority or duty to receive and report their concerns. Employees must also promptly share all details of behaviors under this policy that they observe or have knowledge of, even if not reported to them by a Complainant or third-party. 

What do I do if a student begins to report an incident of sexual misconduct to me?

You should immediately inform the student of your reporting responsibility, and inform them of their right to first seek confidential resources if they wish to keep the information confidential. Confidential resources include victim services advocates, counselors, health service providers, domestic violence resources, or members of the clergy who are permitted by law to maintain confidentiality (except in extreme cases of immediacy of threat or danger or abuse of a minor). You should also encourage them to consider reporting the incident to the Title IX Officer for assistance. The Title IX Officer can help with a Complainant’s wish for anonymity.

Am I protected from sexual misconduct by Title IX?

Title IX and UNI policy prohibits sexual misconduct and sexual harassment against employees as well as students. Employees and students are also protected from discrimination on the basis of any protected class under Title VII and related University policies (13.02 Discrimination and Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy).

Responsibilities of Mandated Reporters:

• Title IX Mandated Reporters should not conduct any investigation on their own but instead promptly report the matter to the Title IX Officer or Deputy Coordinator.

• If a Mandated Reporter believes an individual may be about to report an alleged act of sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment), or an individual already has done so, the Mandated Reporter should take immediate steps to advise the individual that the University will maintain the privacy of the information, but the Mandated Reporter cannot maintain complete confidentiality and is required to report the alleged conduct to the Title IX Officer and to communicate the names of the parties involved, if provided.

• If the individual wishes to reveal information, or already has done so, but would like to remain anonymous, the Mandated Reporter should inform the individual that their name will be shared with the Title IX Officer but that it will not automatically initiate a University investigation without consultation with the individual. Supportive measure may be offered as the result of such disclosures without formal University action. 

• If the individual wishes not to reveal any information, the Mandated Reporter should offer to refer or accompany the student to a confidential reporting resource, such as a counselor, victim services advocate, or health services provider.

• If a Mandated Reporter has concerns on how to handle a particular situation or make a report, the Title IX Officer or Deputy Coordinator are available to provide guidance. 

• Failure of a Mandated Reporter to report an incident of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct or of which they become aware is a violation of University policy and can be subject to disciplinary action.

• A Mandated Reporter who is themselves a target of harassment or other misconduct is not required to report their own experience, though they are encouraged to do so. 

Note: Campus Security Authorities (CSA) have a legal obligation to file a report with the University Police concerning suspected criminal activity to meet the requirement of the CLERY Act. Victim names do not need to be given.

You may also refer to the UNI Policy on Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy.