Reporting
Non-Confidential Reporting Options:
You are encouraged to speak to officials of the institution to make formal reports of incidents (deans, vice presidents, or other administrators, faculty, staff, campus security officers, and human resources). The college considers these people to be “responsible employees.” Notice to them is official notice to the institution in which the report will be forwarded to the Title IX Coordinator, Melissa Richerson, for immediate action. You have the right and can expect to have incidents of sexual misconduct to be investigated by the institution when formally reported, and to have those incidents properly resolved through administrative procedures. Formal reporting means that only people who need to know will be informed of the report, and information will be shared only as necessary with investigators, witnesses, and the accused individual.
You may report incidences of sexual misconduct to:
Melissa Richerson at (805) 546-3100, ext. 2247 or email melissa_richerson@cuesta.edu or Cinda Bitz at (805) 546-3100, ext. 9326 or email cinda_bitz@cuesta.edu
or file a Student Incident and Well-Being Report
Unlawful Discrimination Complaint Form (see links below)
To Report Confidentially or Hesitant to Make a Formal Report
If you want the details of the incident be kept confidential or you are hesitant to make a formal report, you should speak with on-campus mental health counselors (located in the Student Health Center) or off-campus rape crisis resources who can maintain confidentiality. Staff at the Student Health Center will provide immediate care and support and can explain incident reporting options on and off campus.
You may report incidences of sexual misconduct confidentially to:
Cuesta College Student Health Center at (805) 546-3171 (SLO) or (805) 591-6220 ext. 4207 (NCC)
Reporting to those who can maintain the privacy of what you share: You can seek advice from certain individuals who are not required to tell anyone else
your private, personally identifiable information unless there is cause for fear for
your safety, or the safety of others. These are individuals who the college has not
specifically designated as “responsible employees” for purposes of putting the institution
on notice and for whom mandatory reporting is required, other than in the stated limited
circumstances. Generally, these would be medical personnel or mental health professionals
in the Student Health Center. If you are unsure of someone’s duties and ability to
maintain your privacy, ask them before you talk to them.
Information on Federal Law Reporting
Federal Statistical Reporting Obligations: Certain campus officials have a duty to report sexual misconduct for federal statistical
reporting purposes (Clery Act). All personally identifiable information is kept confidential,
but statistical information must be passed along to campus law enforcement regarding
the type of incident and its general location (on or off-campus, in the surrounding
area, but no addresses are given) for publication in the annual Campus Security Report.
This report helps to provide the community with a clear picture of the extent and
nature of campus crime, to ensure greater community safety. Mandated federal reporters
include: student/conduct affairs, campus law enforcement, coaches, athletic directors,
student activities staff, human resources staff, advisors to student organizations
and any other official with significant responsibility for student and campus activities.
The information to be shared includes the date, the location of the incident (using
Clery location categories) and the Clery crime category. This reporting protects the
identity of the victim and may be done anonymously.
Federal Timely Warning Reporting Obligations: Victims of sexual misconduct should also be aware that college administrators must
issue immediate timely warnings for incidents reported to them that are confirmed
to pose a substantial threat of bodily harm or danger to members of the campus community.
The college will make every effort to ensure that a victim’s name and other identifying
information is not disclosed, while still providing enough information for community
members to make safety decisions in light of the danger. The reporters for timely
warning purposes are exactly the same as detailed above.