Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

Sexual Assault and Title IX Resources

Introduction

Notice of Non Discrimination – Title IX

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits a college from discrimination based on sex, Lycoming College does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the academic, educational, co-curricular, athletic or other programs and activities of the College, whether those programs take place at the College’s facilities, at a class or training program sponsored by the College in another location, or elsewhere.

Jurisdiction

Students have a right to file a sexual discrimination or sexual misconduct complaint with the College and to report a crime to the Department of Public Safety or local law enforcement. Lycoming College will aim to coordinate a prompt investigation with any other institutional or legal process, if appropriate. However, the legal process is considered separate from our institution’s obligations to end, resolve and remedy any discriminatory misconduct and we will continue our process through to resolution even if there are pending legal actions, outside of our institution.

Lycoming College will process all alleged sexual misconduct incidents, regardless of where the conduct occurred. Even in incidents where the misconduct occurred off-campus, it may fall under the context of our education programs or activities and affects our institutional community as a whole.

We strive to support victims/complainants and take necessary steps to protect individuals from any further harassment, and provide them with information to access appropriate services and resources. We further consider how to support the safety and well-being of our entire campus community.

Title IX Coordinators

Kacy Hagan, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management and Title IX Coordinator
hagan@lycoming.edu
(570) 321-4309
Office Location: Long Hall, Room 104

The Title IX Coordinator has ultimate oversight responsibility for Title IX matters at Lycoming College. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for identifying and addressing any patterns or systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints. In addition, the Title IX Coordinator is available to meet with students and all other members of the College community as needed.

Kate Hummel, Associate Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator
hummelk@lycoming.edu
(570) 321-4399
Office Location: Public Safety Office, Rich Hall Lower Level

The Deputy Title IX Coordinator’s responsibilities includes revising policy and procedures as appropriate, overseeing and/or managing investigations and resolutions, determining appropriate interim measures and remedies for students. In addition, the Title IX Deputy Coordinator is responsible for training staff who respond, investigate, or resolve sexual misconduct allegations. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator is available to meet with students and all other members of the College community as appropriate.

Inquiries or complaints may also be directed to: The Office for Civil Rights Philadelphia Office, U.S. Department of Education, 100 Penn Square East, Suite 515 Philadelphia, PA 19107-3323. Telephone number: (215) 656-8541; fax (215) 656-8605 or email OCR.philadelphia@ed.gov.

Confidentiality

Counseling Services and Health Services are considered confidential offices/staff at Lycoming College. It is only under exceptional circumstances where confidential staff believe that there is a threat to the well-being or safety of an individual or others that they are obligated to report the information. In all circumstances, the victim/complainant will be informed of the process, if such steps are deemed necessary.

On Campus

Counseling Services
Hours: M-F/ 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wertz Student Center
Misty Palmatier – Director
(570) 321-4258
email: palmatierm@lycoming.edu
Stephanie Fortin – Assistant Director
(570) 321-4332
email: fortin@lycoming.edu

Health Services
Hours: M-F/ 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rich Hall
(570) 321-4052
health@lycoming.edu

Off Campus

Hospitals

*The nearest hospital is Williamsport Regional Medical Center.

UPMC Susquehanna ER
700 High Street, Williamsport
(570) 321-2000

Muncy Valley Hospital
215 East Water Street
Muncy, PA 17756
(570) 327-8137

Off-Campus Community Centers

YWCA Wise Options
CRISIS HOTLINE: (800) 326-8483 | (570) 323-8167
815 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17701

Other Community Centers, outside of Williamsport:

Transitions
Lewisburg, PA
TOLL FREE HOTLINE: (800) 850-7948
Phone: (570) 523-6482

Clinton County Women’s Center
Lock Haven, PA
Hotline: (570) 748-9509
Phone: (570) 748-9539

Live, Confidential Chats Through National Organizations

National Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 656-4673
Live Chat

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Live Chat
(800) 799-7233

What is the YWCA Wise Options?
“Wise Options is a safe haven and source of support for the people of Lycoming County, giving help and hope to women, men and children surviving Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and other Violent Crimes. Free and confidential services are provided by Wise Options 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Trained staff and volunteers provide immediate support and information to help clients deal with crisis and offer follow-up assistance to cope with ongoing related issues.”

Above information taken from YWCA Wise Options.

Transitions
“Transitions is a crisis center that provides advocacy, empowerment, and education to victims, survivors, families and communities to end patterns of violence and abuse.” Additional services include their 24 hour hotline, emergency shelter, legal advocacy and medical advocacy.

Above information taken from Transitions.

Clinton County Women’s Center
Services that the Clinton County Women’s Center provides include, a 24 hour hotline, safe shelter, options/empowerment counseling, support groups, legal advocacy and medical advocacy.

Options for Victims After an Incident of Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault or Stalking Has Occurred

After an incident of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or other sexual misconduct has occurred, individuals have many options for taking care of themselves. No one way is the best way, and Lycoming College recognizes the sensitivity of such incidents and aims to support individuals and their choices.

Survivor Resources

Lycoming College staff will provide to students and employees written notification about existing services both on and off-campus, including health, mental health, counseling, victim advocacy, legal assistance, visa and immigration assistance, student financial aid and other available services. Lycoming College staff will also provide to individuals who report they have been a victim of dating violence, domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault, whether the incident occurred on or off campus, written explanation of the student’s or employee’s rights and options.

You have many options such as:

  • notify on-campus Public Safety and local police
  • be assisted by campus authorities in notifying law enforcement authorities
  • not reporting the incident or seeking assistance from law enforcement;
  • only seeking medical attention and taking time to learn about and consider if you want to file a formal complaint;
  • talking about the incident to a confidential staff member such as a counselor, a health service practitioner or our campus minister;
  • filing a complaint only internally with the institution;
  • interim measures, if appropriate, such as no communication/no contact directives; Public Safety escort on campus; emotional support through counseling services; residential, academic or employment modification, upholding any court action;
  • filing a complaint only with law enforcement; or
  • filing a complaint both internally with the institution and filing a criminal complaint;
  • report the incident anonymously, without disclosing your name or identity (this will support our reporting of crime statistics): https://www.lycoming.edu/public-safety/form-incident-report.aspx;
  • decline to notify authorities or report the incident.

Lycoming College will support you by:

  • protecting the confidentiality of complainants/victims and other necessary parties;
  • maintaining as confidential any accommodations or protective measures to the extent where maintaining such information would not impair the ability of the college to provide the acommodations or protective measures;
  • upholding any court or lawful orders.

In an Emergency:

  1. Find a safe location. Ask a trusted friend to be with you for support and if you want, to walk with you to Public Safety. You can even bring your friend to support you at the hospital.
  2. Preserve any physical evidence of the incident. If there is any physical evidence, it is important to preserve it now, as it may be helpful in obtaining a protection order and later assist if there is any legal process.
    • You should not bathe, wash your hands, brush your teeth, eat, drink or smoke.
    • Keep your clothes that you were wearing during the incident. If you have already changed, put the clothes you were wearing during the incident in a paper bag and bring them with you to the hospital (plastic bags and containers may damage evidence). At the hospital, the nurse will likely keep your clothes from the incident, so you may want to bring an extra change of clothes with you to the hospital.
    • Do not disturb the location where the incident occurred, do not clean the room or remove anything.
  3. Report the incident to the Department of Public Safety:
    • Public Safety Emergency: (570) 321-4911
    • General: (570) 321-4064 or
    • Williamsport Police Department: 911
  4. Seek medical care as soon as possible. Our Public Safety Office can transport you to and from the hospital.

    UPMC Susquehanna
    700 High Street
    Williamsport, PA 17701
    (570) 321-2000

    You may have physical injuries, you may be at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, and women may be at risk for pregnancy.
    • At the emergency room, ask staff to contact a Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Examiner (SAFNET).
    • If you think that you may have been drugged, request a urine sample be collected for evidence.

    If you go to the hospital you are NOT obligated to talk to the police or pursue legal action.

  5. When you are ready to return to campus from the hospital, you may call Public Safety at (570) 321-4064 to pick you up and transport you back to the College.

SAFNET recommends having a physical examination completed by a SAFNET nurse within 72 hours, so that any evidence may be collected now, which will allow you time to learn about possible options and whether or not you want to file charges in the future.

SAFNET (Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Examiners Team) are experienced nurses for patients who have been sexually assaulted; they provide compassionate care for victims. The nurse may complete a physical examination, including collecting evidence and specimens, give medicine as needed and explain follow-up plan to the patient.

Some of the above information taken from Susquehanna Health.