Report A Concern

• Accidents or incidents involving physical injury to individual or property damage: All accidents or incidents involving physical injury to an individual or physical damage to the property of the University or some other party should be reported immediately to the University Police Department.  The University Police Department’s contact information relating to each campus may be found at http://usm.edu/police/whom-call-emergency.    Crimes, suspected crimes, suspicious activity, and other emergencies: The University encourages prompt and accurate reporting of all crimes, suspected crimes, suspicious activity and other emergencies directly to the University Police Department.  The following information should be provided: 
• Nature of the crime, suspected crime, suspicious activity or emergency
• Name, address and phone number of the caller
• Description of the scene, suspects or emergency
• Description of any vehicles involved, especially license plate numbers

 The University Police Department’s contact information relating to each campus may be found at http://usm.edu/police/whom-call-emergency.  

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the landmark legislation prohibiting discrimination in several areas including housing, employment, and education. The sections of the Act relating to education are Title IV, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion or national origin by public elementary and secondary schools and public institutions of higher learning; Title VI, prohibiting discrimination by recipients of federal funds on the basis of race and national origin; and Title IX, permitting the United States to intervene in pending suits alleging discrimination. Additionally, the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 prohibits deliberate segregation on the basis of race, color, and national origin. The University of Southern Mississippi offers to all persons equal access to educational, programmatic and employment opportunities without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, religion, race, color, national origin, and/or veteran status pursuant to applicable federal and state law.

• Non-Discrimination Policy   
• Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Website

Complaints about discrimination based on age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, religion, race, color, national origin, and/or veteran status may be reported as follows:   Office of Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity McLemore Hall (MCL) 310
118 College Drive  #5168 Hattiesburg, MS 39406 (601) 266-6618   or   Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620 Dallas, TX 75201 Voice Phone: 214.661.9600 FAX: 214.661.9587 TTY Relay: 1.800.676.3777   Email: OCR.Dallas@ed.gov

Complaints of discrimination based upon sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, Title VII, Title IX, sexual misconduct, including sexual assault or sexual abuse, sexual harassment, other forms of nonconsensual sexual contact, and related retaliation should be reported as follows: 

• Ms. Cristin Reynolds, Interim Title IX Coordinator Title IX Office Cook Library 129 118 College Drive  # 5079 Hattiesburg, MS 39406
  • Phone (601) 266-6804 
  • Email-cristin.reynoldsFREEMississippi 
• Erin Sessions, Deputy Title IX Coordinator
  • Phone- 601-266-4671
  • Email erin.sessionsFREEMississippi or
• a report can be made to the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620 Dallas, TX 75201Voice
  • Phone: 214.661.9600 FAX: 214.661.9587 TTY Relay: 1.800.676.3777  
  • Email: OCR.Dallas@ed.gov

The University encourages prompt reporting of fiscal misconduct, fraud, misuse of University resources, violations of University policies and unethical conduct to appropriate University officers.  A report of improper conduct may be made to:  

Office of Internal Auditor McLemore Hall (MCL) 317 118 College Drive #5212 Hattiesburg, MS 39406 (601) 266-6111   or   Paul Walters Office of Compliance International Center (IC) 501 118 College Drive #5079 Hattiesburg, MS 39406 (601) 266-4466 Paul.WaltersFREEMississippi or use The Southern Miss Hotline to report an ethical concern.

Hazing by individuals or organizations is strictly prohibited at The University of Southern Mississippi.  The University opposes any situation or conduct created intentionally or unintentionally which produces mental, physical, psychological or emotional discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.  Under University policy, it is the responsibility of individuals and organizations to ensure that all activities exclude any form of hazing. Definitions and examples of hazing may be found in the University’s Institutional Policy on Hazing which can be accessed on USM's policy management system, PolicyStat at https://usm.policystat.com 

Participation in hazing by members of the University community will result in disciplinary action. In addition to being in violation of University policy, hazing, under certain circumstances, may be a violation of the laws of the State of Mississippi, resulting in a criminal prosecution by state and/or local officials.  Depending on the circumstances surrounding the hazing activities, responsible parties may be charged with criminal conduct. An individual may be found guilty of hazing in the first degree when an intentional or reckless action creates a substantial risk of physical injury to another person and thereby causes such injury. Hazing in the first degree is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both. An individual may be found guilty of hazing in the second degree when an intentional or reckless action creates a substantial risk of physical injury to another person.  Hazing in the second degree is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).See section 5.1.3 of the Student Code of Conduct See Mississippi Code Ann., Section 97-3-105 

• Hattiesburg 601-544-7900
• Forest County Sheriff's Department 601-544-7800
• Lamar County Sheriff's Department 601-794-7800
• Mississippi Department of Public Safety 601-987-1212

• Bay St. Louis Police Department 228-467-9222
• Biloxi Police Department 228-392-0641
• Gautier Police Department 228-497-2486
• Gulfport Police Department 228-868-5959
• Long Beach Police Department 228-863-7292
• Ocean Springs Police Department 228-875-2211
• Pascagoula Police Department 228-762-2211
• Pass Christian Police Department 228-452-3310
• Stennis Space Center Security Police 228-688-3636

• If a student encounters a problem on campus or experiences unfair treatment, the student should first try to resolve the issue informally with the faculty/staff member or department directly involved.
• Issues can be resolved by speaking with an individual in the office that oversees the area of concern and engaging in open and honest communicating the concern(s).

If the issue cannot be resolved directly, then the issue should be reported through:

• one of the distinct resolution processes- see the Formal Resolution of Student Grievance section of the Report a Student Concern Page
• if the specific area is not listed, the matter may be reported through the use of the

Student Complaint Form.

See the SARA page

 

UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT (UPD)

Location:  Bond Hall

Phone:  911 or (Non-emergency number) 601.266.4986

USM Campus Police Services Provided in Title IX Cases:

• Respond to reports of Title IX incidents
• Interview complainant about the incident
• Explain options for pursuing a criminal investigation
• Investigate reported incidents
• Facilitate contact with Title IX Office

TITLE IX OFFICE

Location:  Cook Library Rm. 129                      

The Title IX Office addresses questions, concerns and takes reports  related to Title IX, sexual misconduct, or sexual discrimination incidents.

 

 REPORT AN INCIDENT

 

To support the academic success of students, the Office of Ombudsman Services and the Office of Student Affairs at Gulf Park assist those involved in Title IX cases who are experiencing disruptions to their academic progress. Documentation is authenticated and a written notice is provided to the instructor and the student to request that the instructor, at their discretion, determine if the student can be allowed to make arrangements to make-up assignments and tests that have not been turned in as a result of their Title IX related absence.

Services provided include:

• Authenticating documentation for those involved in Title IX cases
• Communicating with instructor and student regarding the authenticity of documentation

NOTE: Instructors have the discretion to make a determination of how they will treat the notice received.

To request assistance, please fill out a

Request for Academic Notification form.

OFFICE LOCATIONS and CONTACT INFORMATION:

Hattiesburg Campus Location:  118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Hattiesburg Contact Information:  Delores McNair, Assistant Dean of Students

Office Location:  Union Room 221

Phone: 601-266-4025

Email:  Delores.McNairFREEMississippi

Website:  https://www.usm.edu/student-affairs/office-student-ombudsman-services.php

Gulf Coast Location: Hardy Hall 232 730 East Beach Boulevard Long Beach, MS 39560

Gulf Coast Contact Information: Richard Ladner, Director of Advisement, Gulf Park

Office Location: Hardy Hall Room 231 

Phone: 228.214.3302

Email: richard.ladnerFREEMississippi

Website-: https://www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/student-life/about-student-life

The University encourages the reporting of unsafe premises conditions, fire safety issues, hazardous waste, or American Disabilities Act accessibility concerns.

• If the condition(s) pose an emergency which is defined as an immediate or imminent risk of bodily harm to individuals or property damage, such reports should be made to the University Police Department. http://usm.edu/police/whom-call-emergency
• If the condition(s) is not considered to be an emergency as described in the preceding paragraph, then such reports should be made as follows:
  • Hattiesburg Campus: Campus Fire/Safety and Custodial Operations Physical Plant Department 118 College Drive #5058 Hattiesburg, MS 39406
    • (601) 266-4414
    • Contact: Clint Atkins, Assistant Director of Physical Plant for Campus Fire/Safety and Custodial Operations
    • Clint.Atkins@usm.edu
• Gulf Park Campus:
  
  • Gulf Park Physical Plant 730 East Beach Boulevard Long Beach, MS 39560
  • Phone: (228) 214-3486
  • Online Reporting: A report of condition or request for work (work order) relating to any Gulf Park facilities may be submitted online at https://www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/physical-plant/submitquery-work-order
• Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) or Cedar Point:
  • Physical Plant Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) 118 College Drive # 5118 Hattiesburg, MS 39406
  • Phone: (228) 818-8019
  • Contact: Frank D. Taylor, Director of Physical Plant, Gulf Coast
  • Email: David.Taylor@usm.edu

University employees who sustain a work-related accident or illness should report the accident or illness as soon as practicable to the Department of Human Resources and file a report of injury or illness. The “First Report of Injury or Illness” form may be accessed at http://www.usm.edu/humanresources. After accessing the site, click on “Forms” on the left side of the home page. After opening, click on “First Report of Injury” and follow the directions on the form.