Title IX

Anyone who has experienced Sexual Misconduct or is aware of someone who may have experienced Sexual Misconduct is strongly encouraged to report such misconduct to WPI and to access the resources available on campus and in the community.

Any WPI community member who has concerns about Sexual Misconduct is encouraged to seek the assistance of those listed below, who can provide information on resources and options under this Policy.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct in an Emergency

  • Reporting Sexual Misconduct in an Emergency
    • Go to a safe place as soon as you can.
    • Call the WPI Police Department at 508-831-5555, or 5555 from a campus phone or via a blue light phone on campus; or call 911 if you are off campus. If it is not an emergency, then call the WPI Police Department at 508-831-5433.
    • Seek medical attention, if needed.
    • Student Health Services (for WPI students only): Phone 508-831-5520, healthcenter@wpi.edu
    • The emergency room at UMass Medical Center offers services and support for people who have experienced Sexual Misconduct and provides Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) services. The WPI Police can provide students with an escort to the hospital.
  • Seek counseling services, if needed.
    • Student Development & Counseling Center (for WPI students only): Phone 508-831-5540, sdcc@wpi.edu
    • Pathways for Change Rape Crisis Center: Phone 800-870-5905 (24/7 hotline)
  • Try to preserve all physical evidence.

    • If you have been physically assaulted, try not to wash your face or hands, bathe, brush your teeth, drink or eat, douche, or change clothes if you can avoid it. I

    • If you do change your clothes, put all clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault in individual paper bags (not plastic). The reason to use paper bags as opposed to plastic bags is because plastic bags may promote bacterial growth and thus cause contamination to any evidence present on the clothing.
    • It is important to preserve as much evidence as possible should you later decide to press criminal charges or report the Sexual Mis- conduct under this Policy.

  • Anyone who has experienced Sexual Misconduct or is aware of someone who may have experienced Sexual Misconduct is encouraged to con- tact the Title IX Office.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct to the Title IX Office

You can report Sexual Misconduct to the Title IX Office in person, by mail, by telephone, by email, or anonymously. Contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators can be found HERE.

Title IX Coordinator: Jonathan Stewart Office: Rm 234 Campus Center
Phone: 508-831-6514
Email: jstewartTitleIX@wpi.edu
Address: 100 Institute Road Worcester, Massachusetts 01609

The Title IX Coordinator plays an integral role in carrying out the University’s commitment to provide a positive learning, teaching and working environment free from Sexual Misconduct.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct Anonymously

You can also report Sexual Misconduct to WPI anonymously HERE. WPI’s response to any anonymous reports may be limited unless you include your contact information. If you do not provide any contact information, WPI will not contact you and you will remain anonymous.

NOTE: WPI’s anonymous reporting form is not for emergencies. In case of an emergency, please call the WPI Police Department at 508-831-5555, or 5555 from a campus phone or via a blue light phone on campus; call 911 if you are off campus.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct to a WPI Employee

You can report Sexual Misconduct to a WPI employee. However, WPI employees may not be confidential resources, unless they are identified in Section V.E. below.

  • All WPI employees (except the Confidential Resource Advisors identified below) who learn of a violation of this Policy involving students are required to immediately report such information to the Title IX Office. See Section V.B. for contact information for the Title IX Office.
  • All supervisors (except the Confidential Resource Advisors identified below) who learn of a violation of this Policy involving employ- ees are required to immediately report such information to the Title IX Office. See Section V.B. for contact information for the Title IX Office.

Reporting Sexual Misconduct Confidentially

You can report Sexual Misconduct to one of WPI’s trained confidential resource providers (known at WPI as “Confidential Resource Advisors” (CRA)) or the other WPI and local confidential resources identified below. CRAs and confidential resources will not make reports to the Title IX Office and will maintain confidentiality.

Confidential Resource Advisors (CRAs) are WPI employees (not pastoral counselors, professional counselors, or therapists) who have received special training to be a confidential source of support for WPI community members. A list of current CRAs at WPI is located HERE.

Speaking with a CRA means that no report will be made to the Title IX Office or the WPI Police Department, unless required by law. Reporting to a CRA is not considered notice to WPI that Sexual Misconduct has allegedly occurred.

CRAs can provide information on reporting options and the effects of each reporting option; the grievance processes under this Policy; counseling and medical services available at WPI and in the local community; and the legal process carried out through local law enforcement and a WPI community member’s rights and WPI’s responsibilities with respect to no-contact orders and legal protective orders.

CRAs may assist a WPI community member in contacting or reporting to the Title IX Office or law enforcement, if requested by the WPI community member.

CRAs can provide information on supportive measures at WPI may also assist the Title IX Office in arranging supportive measures for a WPI community member if requested. A CRA can continue to be a source of support throughout the process and can serve as your advisor during the grievance process if you and the CRA agree.

Any party involved in a Sexual Misconduct incident can speak with a CRA, but CRAs may not provide services to adverse parties. WPI will not discipline, penalize, or otherwise retaliate again a CRA for representing the interest of the party they are assisting.

Communications with a CRA are confidential and CRAs must ensure that confidentiality is maintained, unless otherwise required by law. Specifically:

  • CRAs will not disclose confidential information without the prior written consent of the party who shared that information; provided, however that the CRA may be cross-examined if the CRA testifies at the hearing under this Policy or in court after being given written consent to do so by the party.
  • Communications with CRAs will not be subject to discovery and will be inadmissible in the grievance process under this Policy or in court without the prior written consent of the party who shared that information.

Other Confidential Resources

Reporting Sexual Misconduct to Law Enforcement

If you experience Sexual Misconduct, you may report to the:

  • WPI Police Department (508-831-5555 for emergencies; 508-831-5433 for non-emergencies),
  • City of Worcester Police Department, Police Headquarters, 9-11 Lincoln Square, Worcester, MA 01608; Emergency: 911 Phone: 508-799-8600
  • The Massachusetts State Police, 470 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702; Main (508) 820-2300, Operator available M-F 8 am–5 pm and/or
  • The local law enforcement agency or District Attorney’s office where the Sexual Misconduct occurred.

Note: The Title IX Office and the criminal justice system work independently from one another. Confidential Resource Advisors, confidential resources, the Title IX Office, and the WPI Police Department can explain how to report Sexual Misconduct to law enforcement, but they cannot provide legal advice. The Title IX Coordinator can assist individuals in setting up meetings with the WPI Police Department

Government Resources

These government resources may provide additional assistance if you would like to file an external complaint or for inquiries regarding the ap- plication of Title IX and its implementing regulations and the application Massachusetts state law at WPI.

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights Region I – Boston Office
5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor Boston, MA 02109-3921
617-289-0111

U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)
145 N Street, NE, Suite 10W.121
Washington, DC 20530
202-307-6026

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Boston Area Office
JFK Federal Building
15 New Sudbury Street, Room 475
Boston, MA 02203
800-669-400

Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
Worcester Office
484 Main Street, Room 320
Worcester, MA 01608
508-453-9630

Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE)
One Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108
617-994-6950