Responsible Employees

Your Role as A Responsible Employee

It is important that all Texas Southern University community members enjoy a university environment free from sex discrimination, harassment and violence. Texas Southern University promotes and enforces this belief by the fact that the university complies with all Federal, Texas State Laws, and University policies to protect university community members from sex discrimination.

All Texas Southern University employees are REQUIRED by Texas Senate Bill 212 to disclose any instance of sex discrimination and harassment, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking to the University’s Title IX Coordinator. In cases of emergency, University Police should be notified by dialing ext. 7000 or 911.

Responsible Employees include, but are not limited to the following:

University Administrators (i.e., President, Provost, and Vice Presidents)
Faculty (i.e., Professors, Instructors, and Adjuncts)
Staff (i.e., Secretaries, Custodians, Maintenance and Grounds Workers)
Resident Hall Staff
Dining Services Staff
Athletic Coaches and Staff (i.e., coaches, trainers)
Employees who work in University Offices and University Facilities
University Supervisors and Managers

Confidential Employees (Staff members designated as Confidential Employees include University Health Services and Counseling Center). These staff members are required to only report incidents to the Title IX Coordinator, and DO NOT DISCLOSE the names of the individuals involved an incident regarding sex discrimination and harassment, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking.

FAQs

What is Title IX and why does it matter to me?

Title IX is a 1972 federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in schools, colleges, and universities. Other laws, including Title VII, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and Texas State Law SB 212 also prohibit sex and gender discrimination. Although Title IX covers all forms of sex discrimination, the term “Title IX” is often used as short-hand to describe sub-sets of policies, procedures, or programs that address sexual misconduct in higher education institutions.
Senate Bill 212 requires all employees (i.e., Faculty and Staff) of Public and Private Texas Universities to Promptly report any knowledge of any incidents involving sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking allegedly committed by or against students or employees to the University’s Title IX Coordinator. Employees who fail to report or falsely report will subject to criminal liability and termination. University employees designated as “Confidential” must only report the type of incident to the Title IX Coordinator and should not include identifying information about the individuals involved in the incident.

What should I do if I become aware that a student or employee experienced sex discrimination and harassment, sexual violence, partner violence, or stalking?Open

For all employee, if you become aware of a situation that involves sex discrimination and harassment, sexual violence, partner violence, or stalking, you are required to promptly report all the details you are aware of to the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
Do not assume another employee will report the information or that because the University police is aware that the information has been reported. Texas Senate Bill 212 requires that you report the information you are aware of to the Title IX Coordinator.

How should I inform an individual about my requirement to report the incident to the University’s Title IX Coordinator?Open

If an individual begins to talk about an incident involving sex discrimination and harassment, sexual violence, partner violence, or stalking, you should gently interrupt the individual and explain you are required to share any information that the individual confides in you with the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
If the individual does not share details and wants to speak with someone confidentially, direct them to speak with the University’s Counseling Center. See the University’s Counseling Center webpage at tsu.edu/ucc.

How should I respond to a student or employee who has experienced sexual harassment or sexual misconduct?Open

First, if it is an emergency or suspected crime in progress, immediately contact University Police at ext. 7000 or Dial 911.
- If it is a non-emergency situation, ask how you can help the individual?
Second, inform yourself about the University Support Resources so that you can connect the individual with the appropriate resource.
- You want to let the individual know where they can go to get help on campus.
- University Resource Support Information can be found on the Office of Title IX (www.tsu.edu/titleix) and University Counseling Center (www.tsu.edu/ucc) webpages.
Third, listen and empower the individual.
- Ask the individual how they are doing and if they have safety concerns that need to be addressed;
- Do not judge the individual, do not investigate the incident;
- Be honest with the individual and inform the individual about your responsibility to report the incident to the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
Fourth, if the individual does not want to share their name with you or details about the incident, do not press for them to disclose and respect their decision; however, if they are willing to share details you may ask:
- General background information such as: when the incident occurred, where the incident occurred, and who harmed them. If the individual answers, write down the information.
Fifth, promptly report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator.

What resources are there for individuals who have been accused of violating Texas Southern University’s Title IX policy?Open T

The University’s Support Resources Page offers information to individuals responding to allegations. Students and employees who are responding to allegations can learn more from the following: Employees - Office of Title IX, Human Resources – Employee Relations, Human Resources – Employee Assistance Program. Students - Office of Title IX, Dean of Students Office, University Counseling Center, University Health Center.