Designated Confidential Resources at USU
Designated confidential resources provide campus community members with medical, mental health, and/or advocacy services in a confidential setting.
Those who work in the following offices or programs (employees and volunteers) are designated confidential resources:
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information Office
- Mind-Body Bridging Clinic
- Student Health & Wellness Center
While a designated confidential resource will not report a disclosure of sexual misconduct to the Office of Equity or the USU Title IX Coordinator, they will provide an individual who discloses information about sexual misconduct with information about support services and reporting options.
Confidentiality of Services
Designated confidential resources keep information they receive about sexual misconduct allegations confidential, meaning that they do not share that information with the Title IX Coordinator or law enforcement without the express permission of the individual who reported it to them or unless required by law (see Disclosures Required by Law below).
Information shared with designated confidential resources alone do not provide notice to the university of an incident of sexual misconduct and will not result in an investigation or further university action beyond the provision of support services, medical attention, or additional relevant resources. If you would like to pursue an investigation or university action, report to the Office of Equity.
Disclosures Required by Law
Disclosures of Anonymous Information
The federal Clery Act and USU Policy 533 require non-professional counselors and advocates (SAAVI advocates) to provide anonymous information to USU Police about Clery crimes that occurred on campus property and in Clery geography (fraternities, sororities, and other campus organizations recognized by USU). This information includes the time, date, and location of the incident, but excludes the names and identifying information of those involved. USU Police are then required as reporting employees to share information about sexual misconduct they receive to the Title IX Coordinator in order to track patterns and trends in the university community.
Other Required Disclosures
Utah law requires individuals who receive information about abuse or neglect of children or vulnerable adults to report this information to law enforcement and/or child protective services or adult protective services. If an individual communicates an actual threat of violence against a clearly identified victim to their therapist, that information must reported to law enforcement.
In the state of Utah, medical providers such as those in the Student Health and Wellness Center are required to inform law enforcement when they treat an individual who has injuries resulting from violent crimes, including rape/sexual assault and dating/domestic violence.
Information disclosed to a Designated Confidential Resource may also be subject to a subpoena in a criminal and/or civil case.