Carleton College Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response FAQs

Who can I speak with confidentially?

"Student Health and Counseling counselors and the College Chaplain are the only completely confidential resources on campus. Most other College employees (faculty, staff, and some peer leaders) are required to submit a "Community Concern" form when they are informed about sexual misconduct. For more information about confidentiality and who is required to report sexual misconduct, click here."

—Marit Lysne, Director of Student Health and Counseling

I had an uncomfortable sexual experience. I am confused about what I experienced and I'm not sure if I want to make a complaint. What should I do?

"One helpful first step may be to seek support at Student Health and Counseling. There are confidential counselors who can help you process your experience, without ever labeling it for you. With counseling you may better sort through your confused feelings, more clearly understand your experience, and be able to discuss all the options available to you, so you can make decisions that work for you."

—Marit Lysne, Director of Student Health and Counseling

Can I get academic accommodations if this is impacting my ability to do school work?

"In short, yes, it is possible to request adjustments (e.g., extensions to academic deadlines). Please talk with any one of us or your class dean to explore what is possible."

—Joe Baggot, SMS Adviser and Freshman class Dean

Can I change rooms?

"Housing accommodations are available for students involved in the sexual misconduct complaint process. Students can work directly with the Residential Life office to secure appropriate housing for a student contemplating or going through the complaint process. Residential Life is also able to make housing arrangements during the complaint process if the complaintant and the respondent are in the same living community. If a student is interested in working on temporary housing accommodations, they should work with their SMS Advisor to be referred to the appropriate Residential Life staff member."

—Steve Wisener, Director of Residential Life and SMS Adviser

What are the differences between Carleton’s complaint process and the legal process?

"There is a difference between Carleton’s complaint process and an external legal process. Carleton’s complaint process is an internal complaint process, which means that it was created for the Carleton community to be utilized for the Carleton community. Carleton students involved in a complaint, whether as a complainant or a respondent will be provided support, assistance and advice from Carleton College community members. The investigation will be an internal investigation, and the Community Board on Sexual Misconduct (CBSM), an internal college board, will be the decision-makers regarding whether a policy has been violated. Attorneys are not allowed to participate in the internal process.

The legal process, whether it is criminal or civil, is an external process which means that the process is outside the control and authority of the college. Anyone who believes that they are a victim of a crime, may take steps to file a criminal complaint with the local authorities. Victims of sexual assault who report an incident to the police need not retain a private attorney because the legal issues will be handled through the county attorney’s office. You may want to retain an attorney is you are accused of a crime, or are considering filing a civil action against the alleged perpetrator."

—Joanne Mullen, Investigator and College Consultant on Sexual Misconduct

What is stalking?

"Stalking is a form of sexual harassment and may include persistent attempts to contact a person by phone, electronic communication or regular mail; engaging in unwanted attention towards a person who finds the attention unwelcome, vandalizing the person’s property or leaving unwanted items for the person; and/or constantly appearing at the person’s classroom, residence, or workplace without permission. A person who feels that they are a victim of stalking may file a complaint under Carleton’s Policies against Sexual Misconduct."

—Joanne Mullen, Investigator and College Consultant on Sexual Misconduct

What does sexual misconduct look like at Carleton?

"The most common reports of sexual assault are between two people who know each other. Alcohol is involved in a majority of the reports, and the most common issue involves whether there is consent. Other reports of sexual misconduct involve inappropriate sexual electronic communication, sexually-charged unwelcome communication, intimidation, and stalking, which is a form of sexual harassment."

—Joanne Mullen, Investigator and College Consultant on Sexual Misconduct

How common is sexual misconduct at Carleton?

"Unfortunately sexual misconduct occurs at Carleton, and most incidents of it, whether it is sexual assault, sexual harassment or sexually inappropriate conduct, go unreported. However, when misconduct is reported, the College will respond in a manner appropriate to the report, taking into account the desires of the person(s) reporting. From 2007 to 2010, there has been an average of two formal complaints per academic term."

—Joanne Mullen, Investigator and College Consultant on Sexual Misconduct

How long after an incident can I submit a community concern form or file a complaint?

"There is no time limit on submitting a community concern or filing a complaint. Please keep in mind that when someone fills out a community concern form it does not automatically start the complaint process. A student who wishes to file a complaint must meet with me to do so. Here are some links to more information about the community concern form and the student complaint process."

—Amy Sillanpa, Complaint Process Coordinator and Associate Director of Residential Life

How long does the complaint process take?

"It’s really important to us that we complete a thorough investigation. Because of this, it can take several days to go through the process. The staff involved will work to assure it is handled in the timeliest manner possible. Complainants, respondents and witnesses may contact the Investigator or Complaint Coordinator at any time with questions about where we are at in the process."

—Amy Sillanpa, Complaint Process Coordinator and Associate Director of Residential Life

Will I have to face the other person (Complainant or Respondent) in a hearing?

"No, we recognize that participating in a hearing may be difficult for those involved. So, when you meet with me (Chair of the CBSM) before a hearing, we can discuss accommodations that will minimize the contact you have to have with the other party, and that will make the hearing as comfortable as possible. To learn more about the hearing and possible accommodations, see the complete Student Reporting and Complaint Procedures document."

—Julie Thornton, Chair of the CBSM and Sophomore class Dean

What are the penalties for sexual misconduct?

"As an institution of higher learning, we try to avoid punitive penalties, but instead focus on educational sanctions. If a student is found responsible for a violation of sexual misconduct at Carleton, the consequences vary based on the details of the situation. Carleton's sexual misconduct policy includes three unique types of misconduct: sexually inappropriate behavior, sexual harassment and sexual assault. Therefore the final outcome will look different in most instances. At the extreme ends, a student may be given a warning or be expelled for their behavior. Where there is physical force, emotional trauma, or alcohol use/abuse, students will most likely be referred for the relevant counseling/support services to properly address those issues. Look here for more information about the complaint process and sanctioning."

—Julie Thornton, Chair of the CBSM and Sophomore class Dean

How are members of the CBSM selected?

"The Community Board on Sexual Misconduct is made of members of the Carleton community...faculty, staff and students. Faculty who are interested in serving on the board submit their interest to the Faculty Affairs Committee, who in turn looks at all faculty committee appointments, and makes assignments appropriately. Staff are appointed in a similar way through the President's Office. Students however, submit an application through CSA (Carleton Student Association). Applications are reviewed and decisions are made by the chair of the board, who gets approval from the President of CSA. See here for more information about the CBSM."

—Julie Thornton, Chair of the CBSM and Sophomore class Dean

I am a parent of a student involved in a complaint process. Who can I contact?

"Parents can contact any of the Class Deans with questions or concerns about the process. The Class Deans treat all cases with sensitivity, therefore, they may not be able to share any information about the complaint, but they certainly can share all information about the process. For Class Dean contact information, click here."

—Cathy Carlson, SMS Adviser and Junior and Senior class Dean

What if I was drinking when I was assaulted or harassed?

"Alcohol tends to be a contributing factor in 90% of sexual misconduct cases, however, the complainant will not receive a sanction due to alcohol use. In addition, the Northfield Police will not cite a person for underage consumption if a sexual assault has occurred, the focus will be on caring for the complainant as needed, not on alcohol use."

—Cathy Carlson, SMS Adviser and Junior and Senior class Dean