St. Thomas University has added two lines to their Non-Academic Misconduct policy stating there are no time limits on reporting incidences of sexual violence.
Before the new lines were added the Non-Academic Misconduct policy stated complaints to the university must be made within 10 business days after an incident or after the incident is discovered.
However, it also had a line saying that timelines may be “extended in extenuating circumstances by the Associate Vice-President.”
For Jeffery Carleton, director of communications for the university, these two new lines do not change what the policy means but clarifies that sexual violence is an extenuating circumstance.
“We were concerned students were being left with the impression there was a timeline on reporting or a time limit on reporting incidences of sexual violence,” Carleton said. “If you read the (Policy on Sexual Violence) there is no timeline mentioned.”
The policy does point back to the Non-Academic Misconduct policy, where the confusion is rooted.
Carleton said while the university originally thought the line about extenuating circumstances would be sufficient, they’ve been receiving messages from concerned students through social media about the time limit for reporting cases of sexual violence.
On Oct. 18, The New Brunswick Beacon, the web publication of the journalism program, published a story titled, “Students have 10 ‘business days’ to report sexual assault under new policy.”
While Carleton did not say the added lines were a response to the article directly, he did say the lines were added because of the confusion caused by the story.
Carleton also responded to criticism from the Criminology Department that the associate vice president of student enrolment and management being on the board that decides disciplinary action constitutes a conflict of interest.
“Ask yourself this simple question, would the associate vice president of enrolment risk the reputation of our school (and) the safety of students?” Carleton said.
He also said the administration had not received any formal communication from the Criminology Department about the policy.
Carleton said there’s a reason for having two separate policies that deal with sexual violence.
“You need one as a clear separate statement on sexual violence, policies, procedures but you also need one on where there is misconduct, whether its an incident of harassment, discrimination, sexual assault, anything non-academic,” Carleton said.
He said a separate sexual violence policy is needed to ensure procedures are in place so there is proper protection for both the victim and the accused.
Despite all the controversy, Carleton said STU’s policies are progressive. The university consulted with the Fredericton Sexual Assault Centre and its faculty advisor before adding in the new lines.
“I believe we’re the first university in New Brunswick to have a policy on sexual violence, and I’m certain our policy on Non-Academic Misconduct is the most advanced.”
