The University is a community of trust whose existence depends on strict adherence to standards of conduct set by its members. Sexual misconduct is a serious violation of these standards and will not be tolerated.
The University encourages all members of the University community to be aware of both the consequences of sexual misconduct and the options available to both the accuser and the accused. The University urges the accuser to seek assistance using any appropriate resources.
A student charged with sexual misconduct can be disciplined under the University Judicial System and may be prosecuted under Pennsylvania criminal statutes. Even if the criminal justice authorities choose not to prosecute, the campus can pursue disciplinary action. This disciplinary action could result in dismissal from the University.
Sexual misconduct is defined as sexual contact without consent. To constitute lack of consent, the acts must be committed either by force, intimidation, or through use of the victim's mental incapacity or physical helplessness. Verbal misconduct may constitute sexual harassment, which is also prohibited under University regulations and is specifically addressed in University policies outlined on the RMU web page.
The University has an obligation to uphold the laws of the community of which it is a part. While activities covered by the laws of the community and those covered by the University's rules may overlap, the community's laws and the University's rules operate independently and do not substitute for each other.
The University may pursue enforcement of its own rules, whether or not legal proceedings are underway or in prospect, and may use information from third party sources, such as law enforcement agencies and the courts, to determine whether University rules have been broken. The University will make no attempt to shield members in the University community from the law, nor would it intervene in legal proceedings on behalf of a member of the community. Membership in the University community does not exempt anyone from local, state, or federal laws but rather imposes the additional obligation to abide by all of the University's regulations.