Sexual Respect & Title IX

All members of the Colby-Sawyer College community should be free from sexual misconduct in the classroom; the social, recreational and residential environment; and the workplace. The college seeks to foster a climate free from sexual misconduct through a coordinated education and prevention program, the promulgation of clear and effective policies, as well as investigative and grievance procedures that are timely, equitable, and accessible to all. In response to any reported sexual misconduct, the college will take appropriate steps to eliminate the misconduct, prevent its recurrence and address its effects.

In order to foster a climate of respect for oneself and for one another and provide for the safety and security of our community, the college expects all community members to take action to prevent acts of sexual misconduct. Creating a safe campus environment is the responsibility of all members of the college community, both individually and collectively. On this page you will find information and links to Colby-Sawyer College’s trainings and educational programs, policies and procedures, resources and contacts.

Notice of Non-discrimination

Colby-Sawyer College is committed to being an inclusive and diverse campus community, which celebrates multiple perspectives. Under institutional policy, as well as under state and federal law (including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Age Discrimination Act), Colby-Sawyer College does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices or its admission practices on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, mental or physical disability, family or marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or gender identity.

In addition, Colby-Sawyer College seeks to provide an environment free from all forms of sex discrimination, and expects all college community members, visitors, and vendors to uphold this effort. Sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual violence are forms of sex discrimination. The college recognizes that harassment related to an individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression can occur in conjunction with misconduct related to an individual's race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, or disability. Targeting individuals on the basis of these characteristics is also a violation of the college policy. Under these circumstances, the college will coordinate the investigation and resolution efforts to address harassment related to the targeted individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression together with the conduct related to the targeted individual's race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, or disability.

Colby-Sawyer College uses D. Stafford and Associates as our Jeanne Clery Act training and consulting resource. We use them as our Title IX training as well. Colby-Sawyer College Title IX Investigators, Coordinators, and Deputy Coordinators are trained and recertified annually through D. Stafford and Associates.

Training and Agendas

Colby-Sawyer College has designated multiple individuals to coordinate its compliance efforts. Questions, complaints, or concerns about issues of sex or gender discrimination, in violation of Title IX may be directed as follows:

  • For Students
    Robin Burroughs Davis
    Lead Title IX Coordinator
    President of Student Development and Dean of Students
    Room 105 Ware Student Center
    (603) 526-3752

    Lisa Lacombe
    Deputy Title IX Coordinator
    Director of Hogan Sports Center and Recreation
    Room 001 Hogan Sports Center
    (603) 526-3775

  • For Faculty
    Laura Sykes
    Deputy Title IX Coordinator
    Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculty
    Room 131 Colgate Hall
    (603) 526-3760

  • For Staff Employees or Visitors
    Heather Zahn
    Title IX Coordinator
    Director of Human Resources
    Room 230A Colgate Hall.
    (603) 526-3584. Deputy

In addition, complaints of discrimination on the basis of sex may be directed to:

Assistant Secretary United States Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202

For student complaints alleging “harming behaviors” (which includes other forms of harassment and bullying) please visit Colby-Sawyer College Student Code of Community Responsibility.

For Complaints about Employees concerning other forms of discrimination or harassment, please visit Colby-Sawyer College Employee Handbook.

*Faculty at Colby-Sawyer College are bound by the Employee Handbook in addition to the Faculty Handbook. The Employee Handbook can be found on myColby-Sawyer.

Prevention and Trainings

Colby-Sawyer College’s prevention and training efforts are coordinated, organized, facilitated and assessed in conjunction with the SAVE Committee.

The purpose of the Sexual Assault and Violence Education (SAVE) Committee is to plan and implement annual educational prevention and intervention trainings and programs, assess the effectiveness of those programs, assess the campus culture, and to make changes to those trainings and programs to reduce sexual and dating violence on campus.

Membership
  • The Title IX coordinator who serves as chair of the committee
  • One or two members of the faculty who have an interest or expertise in prevention
  • A member of the Athletics department
  • A member of, or liaison to, Human Resources
  • A representative of Campus Safety
  • A representative of Citizenship Education
  • A minimum of two students, one of whom is a representative of the Student Athletic Advisors Council, and one of whom is appointed by the Student Government Association
Responsibilities
  • To advise the Title IX coordinator to oversee, plan, and implement a calendar of prevention trainings and programs.
  • To advise the Title IX coordinator to identify and recommend strategies to ensure that students understand their rights under Title IX and the college’s procedures, including how to report possible violations of Title IX.
  • To serve as event hosts or facilitators including attending events, introducing performer or speaking, publicizing the event.
  • To assist in the development and administration of the bi-annual climate survey and the creation and dissemination of the executive summary of the report.
  • To provide feedback to the Title IX coordinator on the annual report including strengths and challenges faced over the year and plans for improvement.
Bystander Intervention

Colby-Sawyer College utilizes Bringing in the Bystander® as its bystander training. Bringing in the bystander focuses on building and maintaining the CSC community through empowering students to be alert to "red flags," and providing students the tools to help others by knowing resources and referring others to those resources.

Rape Aggression Defense

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) provides women the opportunity to learn self-defense strategies and techniques in a friendly supportive atmosphere, allowing them to participate at will and at their own pace. The course consists of four sessions, each three hours long, for a total of twelve hours. The first nine hours of the course are required to be considered a graduate. The last session is full contact simulation where confidence from previous instruction is gained through practical application. The course is taught by RAD certified instructors and a minimal registration fee is charged. The fee includes all materials and a lifetime "return and practice free" policy honored at any RAD program in the U.S. or Canada. RAD systems is a nationally recognized program based in Poquoson, Virginia with over one thousand instructors at various colleges, universities and police departments in the U.S. and Canada. Facilitated by Campus Safety.

CampusSafe

All Colby-Sawyer College students, faculty, and staff must complete the CampusSafe training annually. Colby-Sawyer College partners with SafeCollege Training System. Here is more information about the student training and the employee training.