Supportive Measures
The university may offer supportive measures to individuals (students, faculty, and staff) who have experienced sexual misconduct or discrimination while at the university or who are a party to a sexual misconduct or discrimination proceeding. Supportive measures are designed to address an individual's safety and well-being and to allow the individual continued access to educational or employment opportunities.
FAQs about Supportive Measures
Possible Supportive Measures
- Assistance with academic accommodations
- Assistance with preserving eligibility for federal financial aid and university programs
- Connection to resources on and off campus
- Assistance in addressing safety concerns such as through no contact orders
Supportive measures may be provided regardless of whether an individual chooses to participate in a police investigation (for sexual misconduct), university formal investigation (for sexual misconduct or discrimination), or the university's informal resolution process (for sexual misconduct or discrimination). Reasonable supportive measures are made available to both claimants and respondents during the formal investigation process.
How to Get Help
If you have experienced sexual misconduct or discrimination or you are a party to a sexual misconduct or discrimination proceeding and would like to request supportive measures, you can get help in two ways:
- Schedule an intake with an Office of Equity supportive measures specialist.
- If you are located at the Logan, Blanding, or Statewide campuses, you can schedule an intake with Rachel Bernardo.
- If you are located at the Eastern campus, you can schedule an intake with Katie Freeman.
And/or
- File a report at equity.usu.edu/report.
Intake Process
At the intake, the supportive measures specialist will discuss information related to resources, academic accommodations, safety measures, reporting options, and information related to an investigation. The supportive measures specialist will gather information so they can effectively implement supportive measures.
Individuals can bring a process advisor and/or support person of their choosing to the intake. Below are forms to fill out to have an individual serve in either of those roles.
Release of Information for Process Advisor
Release of Information for Support Person
Assessment Factors
The Office of Equity assesses whether a supportive measure request is reasonable using the following factors:
- The date and nature of the incident
- The long-term impact on the successful completion of a degree
- The impact of the request on the professor, supervisor and/or department
- University policies and resources
Mutual No-Contact Orders
A mutual no-contact order is an administrative action to prevent contact between two or more individuals on campus. The scope of a no-contact order is determined on a case-by-case basis, but can include in-person contact or contact through electronic means or a third party. A no-contact order should not be confused with a protective order, which is issued by the courts.
Ongoing Supportive Measures
The need for ongoing supportive measures will be assessed based on whether the need for support is linked to the sexual misconduct or discrimination incident or proceeding and whether the request is reasonable.
Referral to Other Resources
The Office of Equity will provide information about additional resources to individuals interacting with the office. Individuals are encouraged to seek support from campus and community resources in addition to working with an Office of Equity supportive measures specialist or the Office of Equity investigation team.
If the incident does not fall within the Office of Equity's jurisdiction or the individual needs additional support that cannot be requested by a supportive measures specialist, the individual will be referred to other campus and community resources.
Information about other resources is located in the Sexual Misconduct Resource Guide and in the Resources tab.