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Sexual Misconduct and Title IX

Information and policy

Our Commitment

Unity Environmental University is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from unlawful harassment and discrimination of all kinds and will not tolerate discrimination against or harassment of any individual or group based upon race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, citizenship, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, housing, and all educational programs, activities, and services it operates.

Consent is an individual’s agreement to engage in sexual contact. Consent must be informed, freely and actively given, and consist of a mutually agreeable and understandable exchange of words or actions. Consent is clear, knowing and voluntary. Consent is active, not passive. Consent may be withdrawn at any time. Silence, in and of itself, cannot be interpreted as consent. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create mutually understandable clear permission regarding willingness to engage in (and conditions of) sexual activity.

What are examples of sexual and relationship violence?

  • Intimate partner violence (hitting, biting, slapping, other abuse)
  • Taking advantage of someone who is incapable of giving consent (passed-out, sleeping, or mentally disabled)
  • Creating a hostile environment (making inappropriate comments in a public space)
  • Engaging in sexual activity without freely given consent (rape or any type of penetration)
  • Unwanted sexual contact
  • Threats, or any intimidation within a relationship
  • Sexually suggestive phone calls, texts, jokes, innuendo; degrading or sexist remarks about a person’s body, clothes, or sexual activities
  • Displaying or distributing sexually explicit materials, including photos or videos
  • Gender-based stalking or harassment
  • Stalking – unwanted, intrusive, or frightening communications; leaving or sending unwanted items; following or waiting for someone; stalking on social media or the internet

How to report a violation of sexual misconduct?

Report an incident to the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Hybrid Learning:

Ashleigh Gordon
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
agordon@unity.edu
207-509-7170

What if you want confidentiality?

Privacy and confidentiality have distinct meanings. It is important to understand the distinctions because, under Title IX, only a specific small group of Unity Environmental University employees are permitted to keep information confidential.

Privacy means that information related to a report of misconduct will only be shared with a limited circle of individuals who “need to know” the information in order to assist in the review, investigation, or resolution of the report. Although not bound by confidentiality, these individuals will be discreet and respect the privacy of all individuals involved in the process. Examples of individuals who often “need to know” of the report, allegations and information include the Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and Student Life staff, among all other mandatory reporters (see below). University employees receive training regarding respecting and safeguarding private information.

Confidentiality means that information shared by an individual with designated campus or community professionals cannot be revealed to any other individual without the express permission of the individual. These professionals include counseling, wellness services, community health providers, community mental health providers, rape crisis counselors, and attorneys, all of whom typically must abide by confidentiality laws applicable to their profession. These individuals are prohibited from breaking confidentiality unless the conduct poses a serious threat of harm to any individual, or under certain legally required circumstances, such as to comply with a subpoena or with mandatory reporting requirements when abuse of a minor is suspected.

You can speak to the following people, who will keep your conversation confidential: they are not required to tell the Title IX coordinators.

Sexual Assault Support Services Mid-Coast Maine
1-800-871-7741

The Unity Environmental University Title IX Policy

This policy governs reports of alleged sexual misconduct involving Unity Environmental University students and other participants in university programs. As a recipient of federal funds, Unity must comply with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. Sexual misconduct, defined fully below, includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, and sexual exploitation. Sexual misconduct can create a hostile environment, which limits or denies students’ ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s educational program. Unity does not tolerate sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, or any form of gender-based harassment, which can occur in many forms and have a broad impact on the community. These are serious offenses that violate university policy, as well as state or federal law, and may also be subject to criminal prosecution. Unity Environmental University has developed this policy and procedures to ensure prompt and equitable resolution of reports of sexual misconduct, to take appropriate actions to protect persons making a report, promote and ensure a safe learning community overall, and to impose sanctions, when appropriate, upon students who are found to have violated this policy.

View the policy in the Student Handbook

Where to Get More Help in Maine

Acadia Hospital
268 Stillwater Ave., Bangor, ME 04401
800-640-1211

Kennebec Valley Mental Health
Center & North Sts., Waterville, ME 04901
207-873-2136

Mid-Coast Mental Health
10 Cedar St., Belfast, ME 04915
800-540-2072

New Hope for Women
50 Court St., Belfast, ME 04915
207-338-6569
For abused women or domestic violence.

Rape Crisis Information

Rape Crisis Assistance
PO Box 924
Waterville ME 04903
207-872-0601
800-525-4441

Rape Crisis Assistance & Prevention
179 Main St., Suite 303, Waterville, ME 04901
207-872-0601

Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center
3 Mulliken Court, Augusta, Maine 04330
800-871-7741

Rape Crisis Center
43 Illinois Ave., Bangor, ME 04401-4361
207-945-5597
Rape Crisis Counseling: 207-594-9398 (Jean Tracy)

Department of Probation & Parole
147 Waldo Ave., Belfast, ME 04915
207-338-2350
Works with individuals on probation and/or parole for criminal offenses.

District Court
37 Church St., Belfast, ME 04915
207-338-3107

Pine Tree Legal Assistance
Bangor 207-942-8241
Augusta 207-622-4731

Maine Civil Liberties Union
401 Cumberland Ave., Portland, ME 04101
207-774-5444
Free legal services to those whose constitutional rights have been violated. Determination of rights violation made by an attorney.

Waldo County Sheriff’s Department
19 Congress St., Belfast, ME 04915
207-338-2040
Serves entire county; houses county jail.

Maine State Police
800-452-4664

Inland Hospital—Osteopathic
180 Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville, ME 04901
207-873-0731

Lovejoy Health Center—Medical & Dental
School St., Albion, ME 04910
207-437-9388

Maine Eye Care Associates
325A Kennedy Memorial Dr. Waterville, ME 04901
207-873-2731 or 800-660-3403

MaineGeneral Health and Medical Center
North St., Waterville, ME 04901
207-872-1000

New Horizons Health Care
Main St., Unity ME 04988
207-948-2100

Penobscot Bay Dentistry
Searsport Ave., Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-1100

Poison Control Center
800-442-6305

Waldo County General Hospital
118 Northport Ave., Belfast, ME 04915
207-338-2500

Veterans’ Services

VA Medical & Regional Office
One VA Center, Togus, ME 04330
800-827-1000

Training Materials

View our training materials here.