Sexual Assault Policy

The university provides educational programs on a year-round basis to promote awareness of rape, acquaintance rape and other sex offenses. These programs are conducted by the University Police Department, Department of Residence Life, the Office of Greek Life, the University Counseling Center and University Health Services in residence halls and with student and employee organizations.

Southern Miss strongly encourages prompt reporting of sex offenses to the proper authorities. Victims should seek medical attention immediately and notify either the UPD or other law enforcement agencies. The UPD is available 24 hours a day to assist victims in obtaining medical attention and in reporting offenses.

The UPD, University Legal Services and the University Counseling Center are also available to assist victims and answer questions about the criminal justice process.
Students and employees of the university who engage in sexual misconduct may be disciplined or discharged, notwithstanding the judicial remedies offered by criminal authorities.

Campus disciplinary action is possible only when the complainant is willing to make a written statement describing the specific incident. The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during university disciplinary proceedings, and both will be notified of the outcome of such proceedings.

When the university determines that the presence of a student or employee would reasonably constitute a clear and present danger to the university community, the university may take immediate action to suspend the student or employee on an interim basis, pending the final outcome of disciplinary or legal proceedings.

When requested by a victim, the university will assist in changing academic and living arrangements whenever possible.