Reporting Options and Resources
Any member of the campus community who has witnessed or is aware of any of the prohibited conduct on Board of Governors Governance Rule 1.6, 1.7 or other related policies is encouraged to report. We investigate every Civil Rights, Title IX, or youth protection related incident reported to the University.
Reporting Options
Standards for violating criminal law are different than the standards in WVU’s grievance procedures, and so they are not the same thing. Neither the results of a criminal investigation, nor the decision of law enforcement to investigate or decline to investigate a matter, is a determinative factor of whether a violation of Board of Governors Governance Rule 1.6, 1.7, or other related polices has occurred. Likewise, a violation of a Board of Governors Governance Rule or related policy does not determine whether or not a criminal violation has occurred.
Any member of the campus community who has witnessed or is aware of any of the prohibited conduct on Board of Governors Governance Rule 1.6, 1.7 or other related policies is encouraged to report. We investigate every Civil Rights, Title IX, or youth protection related incident reported to the University.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of prohibited conduct, you can file a report with WVU’s Executive Director of Compliance/Title IX Coordinator:
- James Goins Jr.
- Executive Director of Compliance, Title IX Coordinator
- 304-293-5600
- james.goins@mail.wvu.edu
By mail through downloading the complaint form and mailing it to:
- Office of Compliance and Prevention Education
- P.O. Box 6202, Morgantown, WV 26506
Or online:
Responsible Employees
All faculty and staff at West Virginia University are considered responsible employees. This means that when a Title IX related or other forms of discrimination and harassment incident are disclosed to them, they must report it to the University to ensure the safety of the individual and the campus community.
Counselors and pastoral staff are exempt from this and maintain a confidential status. Title IX Education Specialists are considered private resources, meaning that they do not report specific cases to the University, only demographic/non-identifying information that can be used in West Virginia University’s Annual Campus Security Report.
Law Enforcement
As many of the reported incidents may constitute both a violation of WVU policy and criminal law, while not required, we encourage persons to report incidents to law enforcement. The following options are available 24 hours, seven days a week, for reporting an incident to law enforcement:
WVU Police Department (Morgantown)
- For immediate assistance, dial 911.
- (304) 293-3136
- police.wvu.edu
Morgantown Police Department
- For immediate assistance, dial 911.
- (304) 284-7522
- www.morgantownpd.com/
Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office
WVU Potomac State College Police Department (Keyser)
WVU Tech Police Department (Beckley)
Supportive Measures
Supportive Measures are non-disciplinary individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to both the complainant and respondent. Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party. While providing supportive measures, the University maintains confidentiality to the extent possible.
Supportive measures can be offered before, during, or after a complaint is filed. In addition, these measures can be offered even without a formal complaint.
If you or someone you know has experienced harm or is a party to an investigation, we can help with a number of supportive measures, including but not limited to:
The University can assist students and employees in accessing confidential counseling services through campus Counseling and Psychological Services. These services are intended to support emotional well-being, coping, and recovery, regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed.
To learn more about the Carruth Center and their available resources for students see: https://carruth.wvu.edu/
To learn more about the Faculty Staff Assistance Program for employees see: https://health.wvu.edu/faculty-and-staff-assistance-program/
- WVU College of Law Clinic - https://www.law.wvu.edu/clinical-law | (304) 293-7249
- Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Victim Assistance Program - http://www.vwapwv.com/wvcounties/Monongalia.html | (304)291-7286
- Legal Aid WV - https://legalaidwv.org/ | (866) 255-4370
- Student Legal Services - https://studentlegalservices.wvu.edu/ | (304) 293-4897
Interim Measures
Similar, but separate from supportive measures, Interim measures can be implemented if (and only if) an emergency removal process is completed. This process includes an individualized safety and risk analysis that determines if there is an immediate threat to the physical health or safety to campus community members arising from the allegations of sexual harassment.
The purpose is to protect the physical health and safety of impacted individuals and not to penalize a respondent while the grievance process is pending.
It should be noted that employees may still be placed on administrative leave during the grievance proceedings
The following are examples of interim measures that can be taken after completing the emergency removal process:
Resources
Anonymous and Confidential Resources
If you’re wanting to speak to someone anonymously, please call the 24/7 Title IX Anonymous Hotline at (304) 906-9930. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day.
Confidential employees are individuals who have been identified by the Title IX Office as individuals or entities that DO NOT have to report incidences of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator.
Included in this list are:
Campus-Specific Resources
Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Counseling
- 304-293-4431 (24-hour emergency number)
- carruth.wvu.edu
Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC 24-hour hotline)
- 304-292-5100
- rdvic.org
Ruby Memorial Hospital, Emergency Department
- 304-598-4172
- health.wvu.edu/student-health/
Monongalia General Hospital, Emergency Department
- 304-598-1460
- www.mongeneral.com
WVU Student Health Services
- 304-285-7200
- Clinic Hours 7 days a week
- Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- wvumedicine.org/ruby-memorial-hospital/services/wvu-specialty-clinics/student-health/
Potomac Valley Hospital
- 100 Pin Oak Lane, Keyser, WV 26726
- 304-597-3500
PSC Student Health Center
- Adjacent to Reynolds Hall
- 304-788-6913
PSC University Police Department
- 101 Fort Ave., Keyser, WV 26726
- 304-788-6931
PSC Student Conduct Office
- 304-788-6910
PSC Behavioral Health Therapist
- Michelle House
- 304-788-6976
PSC Dean of University Relations and Student Experience
- Dean Kimberly G. Colebank
- 304-788-7085
PSC Pastoral Services
- Sally Bartling
- 304-788-6868
WVU’s Office of Compliance and Prevention Education
- 304-293-5600
Mineral County Sheriff’s Office
- 304-788-0441
WV State Police
- 304-788-1101
The City of Keyser Police Department
- 111 N. Davis Street, Keyser, WV 26726
- 304-788-1511
Mineral County Health Department
- 304-788-1321
Western Maryland Health System
- Debi Wolford
- 240-964-7000
WVU Sexual Assault/Education Specialist
- 304-293-1377
Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center
- 304-292-5100 (Hotline: 24-hour advocacy)
Family Crisis Center Keyser
- 304-788-6061
Family Crisis Resource Center - Cumberland, MD
- 301-759-9244
WVU Tech Campus Police
- Website: https://police.wvutech.edu/
- Phone: 304-929-2677
WVU Tech Student Counseling Services
- Website: https://students.wvutech.edu/health-wellness/counseling
- Sexual Assault Procedure: https://students.wvutech.edu/health-wellness/sexual-assault-procedure
- Office: Student Life House
- Phone: 304-929-1237
- E-mail: Tech-Counseling@mail.wvu.edu
WVU Tech Student Health Clinic
- Website: https://students.wvutech.edu/health-wellness/student-health-clinic
- Office: Life Sciences Building, Suite 108
- Phone: 304-929-1241
WVU Tech Student Life
- 505 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV 25801
- 304-929-1232
- E-mail: techstudentlife@mail.wvu.edu
Raleigh General Hospital
- 1710 Harper Road, Beckley, WV 25801
- 304-256-4100
AWAY (Advocating A Way For Adults And Youth)
- https://www.awaywv.org/
- 104 Wilson Street, Beckley, WV 25801
- Phone: 304-255-2559
- E-mail: help@wrcwv.org
Raleigh County Outreach Office
- 104 Wilson Street, Beckley, WV 25801
- Phone: 304-255-4066
Fayette County Outreach Office
- 139 South Court Street, Fayetteville, WV 25840
- Phone: 304-574-0500
Nicholas County Outreach Office
- 717 Main Street, Suite 201, Summersville, WV 26651
- Phone: 304-872-7875
Summers County Outreach Office
- 307 Temple Street, Hinton, WV 25951
- Phone: 304-309-5147
National Resources
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: National hotline, operated by RAINN, that serves people affected by sexual violence. It automatically routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search your local center. Hotline: 800-656-HOPE
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center: This site offers a wide variety of information relating to sexual violence including a large legal resource library.
- National Organization for Victim Assistance: Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States as the recognized leader in this noble cause.
- National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women: VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence hosts a resource library home of thousands of materials on violence against women and related issues, with particular attention to its intersections with various forms of oppression.
- U.S. Department of Justice: National Sex Offender Public Website: NSOPW is the only U.S. government Website that links public state, territorial, and tribal sex offender registries from one national search site.
- The National Center for Victims of Crime: The mission of the National Center for Victims of Crime is to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. They are dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities harmed by crime.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Through this hotline an advocate can provide local direct service resources (safehouse shelters, transportation, casework assistance) and crisis intervention. Interpreter services available in 170 languages. They also partner with the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Center to provide a videophone option. Hotline: 800-799-SAFE
- National Teen Dating Abuse Online Helpline: This online helpline assists teens who are, or may be, in abusive relationships.
- Pathways to Safety International: The center serves abused Americans, mostly women and children, in both civilian and military populations overseas. In addition to providing domestic violence advocacy, safety planning and case management, the center assists victims with relocation, emergency funds for housing and childcare, and funds for payment of legal fees.
- National Coalition against Domestic Violence: The national coalition of Domestic Violence organizations is dedicated to empowering victims and changing society to a zero tolerance policy.
- 1in6 (for men sexually abused as children): Provides educational information and resources for men, family and friends, and professionals. Also provides access to the online hotline.
- Jimhopper.com: This site has articles that discuss the effects of child sexual abuse on adult men and their loved ones.
- Malesurvivor.org: This site has information and a therapist search for male survivors of sexual violence.
- Deaf Abused Women’s Network (DAWN): Legal, medical, system advocacy and survivor support services. Video Phone: 202-559-5366
- CAVANET: This organization addresses violence against women, human rights, genocide, and crime victims with disabilities.
- National Disability Rights Network: NDRN members investigate reports of abuse and neglect, and seek systemic change to prevent further incidents; advocate for basic rights; and ensure accountability in health care, education, employment, housing, transportation, and within the juvenile and criminal justice systems for individuals with disabilities.
Investigation and Resolution Process
The complaint and investigation process at West Virginia University (WVU) depends on whether the parties involved are students or non-students. WVU has established guidelines and procedures for addressing all reports of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic misconduct, stalking, and other potential Code of Conduct violations.
The dropdown menus below are intended to serve as a quick reference for matters that fall specifically under the Title IX process. For more detailed information and a comprehensive explanation of how different types of complaints are classified and addressed, see the Complaint and Investigation Process section.
The Title IX investigative process includes:
- Initial Report and Intake (to determine if a matter falls under policies of Rule 1.6 or Title IX)
- Filing of a Formal Complaint (A formal complaint must be filed by the complainant, or signed by the Title IX Coordinator, before a full investigation can begin specifically for Title IX. A formal complaint is not needed for a Rule 1.6 investigation)
- Assignment of an Investigator (unbiased fact gatherer of information)
- Evidence Collection (where the Investigator collects artifacts such as messages, photos, documents, etc)
- Review of Evidence (before the investigation concludes, both parties have the opportunity to review and respond to relevant evidence collected)
- Investigative Report (both parties have the opportunity to review this before it is sent for decision-making)
- Formal Resolution (Hearing or Decision Process)
- Written Determination (provides outcomes and any sanctions, if applicable)
- Appeal Process (can be done 5 calendar days from the issuance of the Notice of Sanctions)
More details regarding the Investigative Process can be found here: https://compliance.wvu.edu/title-ix/student-faq#question-21
An Informal Resolution is a way to resolve a complaint before a charge is issued. It allows parties to resolve a complaint collaboratively, voluntarily, and with the assistance of a trained facilitator. Informal Resolutions cannot be used in cases where a school employee is alleged to have sexually harassed a student.
Key Features of Informal Resolution
- Voluntary Participation (participation cannot be forced)
- Can be requested any time before a charge is issued
- Common approaches include:
- Mediation
- Training
- Educational Measures
- Other Agreeable Dispute Options
- Common approaches include:
Informal Resolution Process
- Initial Screening (The Title IX Coordinator evaluates whether an Informal Resolution is appropriate)
- Facilitator Selection (this person cannot be the investigator or the hearing decision-maker_
- Pre-Resolution Meetings (occurs with both parties)
- Agreement to Participate (both parties sign this agreement before the Informal Resolution begins)
- Resolution Session
- Written Agreement (If an agreement is reached, the facilitator drafts a document outlining the terms, which the Title IX Coordinator reviews for fairness and enforceability)
- Monitoring and Follow-Up (The Title IX Coordinator ensures compliance with the agreement and provides ongoing support if needed)
When Informal Resolution May Be Appropriate
Informal Resolutions work best when:
- Both parties want control over the outcome.
- They prefer a quicker, less adversarial process.
- The situation may benefit from communication, clarification, or conflict-repair.
More information regarding Informal Resolutions can be found here: https://compliance.wvu.edu/title-ix/student-faq#question-37