Language for Syllabi Regarding Sexual Violence

Below are three different statements regarding sexual violence for your syllabi that have been vetted by SDSU’s Sexual Violence Task Force. Please feel free to edit or modify as appropriate for your course. We appreciate your support in raising awareness about the resources that are available to survivors of sexual and domestic violence on campus.

Version 1:
In the event that you choose to write or speak about having survived sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking and specify that this violence occurred while you were an SDSU student, Federal and State education laws requires that I notify the Title IX Coordinator, Gail Mendez ([email protected]). She (or her designee), will contact you to let you know about accommodations and support services at SDSU and possibilities for legal and campus judicial options for holding accountable the person who harmed you. Know that you will not be forced to share information you do not wish to disclose and your level of involvement will be your choice.

If you do not want the Title IX Coordinator notified, instead of disclosing this information to your instructor, you can speak confidentially with the following people on campus and in the community. They can connect you with support services and discuss options for pursuing a University or criminal investigation. You can contact the Sexual Violence Victim Advocate (858) 693-2355 or Counseling and Psychological Services (619) 594-5220, [email protected].

For more information regarding your university rights and options as a survivor of sexual misconduct or sexual violence, please visit titleix.sdsu.edu.

Version 2:
As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. I have a duty to report in my role as an SDSU employee. It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep information you share private to the greatest extent possible. However, I am required to share information regarding sexual violence on SDSU’s campus with the Title IX Coordinator, Gail Mendez ([email protected]). She (or her designee) will contact you to let you know about accommodations and support services at SDSU and possibilities for holding accountable the person who harmed you. Know that you will not be forced to share information you do not wish to disclose and your level of involvement will be your choice.

If you do not want the Title IX Coordinator notified, instead of disclosing this information to your instructor, you can speak confidentially with the following people on campus and in the community. They can connect you with support services and discuss options for pursuing a University or criminal investigation. You can contact the Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (858) 693-2355 or Counseling and Psychological Services (619) 594-5220, [email protected].

For more information regarding your university rights and options as a survivor of sexual misconduct or sexual violence, please visit titleix.sdsu.edu or sdsutalks.sdsu.edu.

Version 3:
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining a safe and respectful space to express their reasoned opinions. In this course, the topic of sex (including sexual violence) may emerge either purposefully or inadvertently in readings, films, class discussions or other class materials. We recognize that such topics may be particularly upsetting for some survivors; we encourage all students to seek the support they need.

As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help maintain a safe learning environment on our campus. In the event that you choose to write, speak or disclose that you have experienced sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking and specify that this violence occurred while you or the perpetrator were a SDSU student, Federal and State laws require that I, as a “responsible employee,” notify our campus Title IX Coordinator, Gail Mendez. 

The Title IX Coordinator will contact you to inform you of your rights and options as a survivor and connect you with support services, which may include legal or judicial options to hold accountable the person who harmed you. Know that you will not be forced to share information you do not wish to disclose and your level of involvement will be your choice. If you do not want the Title IX Coordinator notified, instead of disclosing information to me, you can speak confidentially to the campus' Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (858) 693-2355 or to Counseling and Psychological Services (619) 594-2200.

For more information regarding your university rights and options as a survivor of sexual misconduct or sexual violence, please visit titleix.sdsu.edu.