The Title IX Office is not an emergency support service. If you need immediate assistance, please call 911 or another emergency resource. For 24/7 support, the Counseling Center has a mental health crisis support line at 540-568-6552, and the Collins Center has a sexual assault crisis support line at 540-434-2272.
When the Title IX Office receives a report or a formal complaint, we provide information to the complainant(s) about the availability of supportive measures and resources, which include but are not limited to:
- Connection to confidential resources on and off campus
- Academic, workplace, or housing adjustments
- Two-way no-contact orders
Supportive measures are available to complainants without filing a formal complaint and may be available to others affected by the behavior alleged in a report, at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator. Supportive measures are also available for respondents and others who participate in a formal complaint process. Any individual may contact the Title IX Office to request a supportive measure that is not specifically listed on this page.
Supportive measures are intended to address health and safety concerns and otherwise preserve or restore access to the university’s programs and activities. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for determining the reasonableness of a requested supportive measure.
Supportive Measures and Resources
Victim Advocacy Services act as a safe & confidential resource for JMU students who have experienced sexual violence, relationship abuse, or stalking, whether recently or in the past. They also serve family, friends, and other support persons to student survivors. They welcome all who may have questions, who need support and guidance, and who are seeking resources and connection. Advocates can help students understand and navigate their options and provide accompaniment to appointments (e.g., medical exams, Title IX Office meetings, requests for protective orders).
The Collins Center provides off-campus advocacy, accompaniment, and support for all members of the JMU community who have experienced sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or other forms of interpersonal violence or abuse. The Collins Center is knowledgeable about JMU resources and other local resources and offers a 24-hour Crisis Hotline: 540-434-2272.
The University Health Center for JMU students offers urgent care, lab services, STD/STI testing, a GYN clinic, and medical treatment by appointment.
The Counseling Center for JMU students offers confidential individual and group counseling and a 24-hour mental health crisis hotline: 540-568-6552 and press “1”.
Sentara RMH Hospital offers comprehensive emergency and non-emergency medical services including SANE exams and STI/STD testing. SANE exams are comprehensive medical examinations for evidence collection after sexual assault. An exam can be conducted if the patient is not sure if they want to file criminal charges.
Employees may contact their Human Resources benefits specialist about medical and mental health resource options available through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
The Title IX Office coordinates the provision of academic adjustments, including but not limited to withdrawals or leaves of absence, excused absences, and assignment or deadline extensions.
Instructors may receive an email notification from the Title IX Office regarding a student who is seeking academic adjustments as a supportive measure. This notification is to inform the instructor that the student is requesting adjustments or may reach out to the instructor to request adjustments.
If the requested academic adjustment involves coursework, the Title IX Office may communicate the request to the instructor so that the instructor and the student may determine together whether the adjustment requested, or another adjustment offered by the instructor, may be suitable. In some cases, the Title IX Office may work directly with the instructor and the student to determine what adjustments may be suitable.
If the instructor and student agree on the outcome of a request, then the instructor must provide the agreed upon academic adjustment. If the instructor and the student cannot agree on a suitable adjustment, both are encouraged to contact the Title IX Office as soon as possible.
A student’s requested adjustment must be provided if the Title IX Coordinator deems the adjustment to be reasonable. The Title IX Office will work with instructors to determine whether a requested adjustment is reasonable; an adjustment that does not fundamentally alter the essential nature of the course will generally be deemed reasonable. The Title IX Office is available to support instructors in administering reasonable adjustments.
If an instructor believes a requested adjustment is unreasonable, the instructor should contact the Title IX Office before denying the request.
The Title IX Coordinator may consider a range of factors in determining whether the requested adjustment is unreasonable, including but not limited to the nature of the course, the timeliness of the request, and the hardship or burden the request places on the university.
If a request for academic assistance does not involve coursework within a class, the Title IX Office may communicate the request to the appropriate university entity to determine the range of adjustments available. The student may then choose from the available range.
The Title IX Office coordinates the provision of reasonable workplace adjustments, including but not limited to voluntary adjustments to work schedule, responsibilities, or location. The Title IX Office may communicate the request to the employee’s supervisor, or another designee in the employee’s supervisory chain, so that the Title IX Office, the employee, and the supervisor or designee may work together to determine the range of options available. In some cases, the Title IX Office may work directly with the supervisor or designee to determine the range of options available.
The Title IX Office coordinates the provision of on-campus room adjustments, including but not limited to dorm room or building assignment changes, or exchanging mattresses or furniture. The Title IX Office may share the request with the Office of Residence Life to facilitate the request.
The Title IX Office also coordinates the provision of temporary on-campus housing during university business hours for students living off campus. The Title IX Office may share the request with the Office of Residence Life to determine the range of options available.
The Title IX Office may provide two-way no-contact orders when requested by an individual who has reported experiencing sexual misconduct (Policy 1340) or Title IX sexual harassment (Policy 1346).
Two-way no-contact orders prohibit both parties from engaging in direct, third party, and electronic communication directed toward each other while on or off campus for as long as the two-way no-contact order is in effect. Two-way no-contact orders do not prohibit either party from being in the same public spaces, participating in programs or activities, or accessing their own private spaces such as an assigned residence hall room or workspace. If the two parties are routinely in the same location at the same time, either party may request that the Title IX Office contact both parties to explore voluntary options for limiting the potential for communication prohibited by the two-way no-contact order. Two-way no-contact orders do not prohibit contact through a third party for the purposes of conducting lawful activity during a pending criminal or civil case, or other specific extenuating circumstances as determined by the Title IX Coordinator.
Two-way no-contact orders are generally in effect for six months, and either party listed in the two-way no-contact order may request a renewal by contacting the Title IX Office prior to or following the expiration of the two-way no-contact order. A party who has requested a two-way no-contact order may, at any time, request in writing to receive an additional notice from the Title IX Office a specified period of time prior to the expiration of the two-way no-contact order.
Reports to law enforcements are separate and distinct from reports to the Title IX Office. A complainant may pursue either or both of these reporting options simultaneously.
- Individuals who wish to pursue a criminal process should contact the JMU Police Department, the Harrisonburg Police Department, or the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office.
- Individuals who wish to seek a protective order, which is separate and distinct from a two-way no-contact order through the Title IX Office, may contact law enforcement directly or seek assistance in contacting law enforcement through Victim Advocacy Services (students), the Counseling Center (students), or the Collins Center (students and employees).
- Complainants may request campus safety escort services directly through the JMU Police Department or through the Title IX Office.
- For individuals who have experienced dating or domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, the JMU Police Department Complainant’s Rights outlines recommended actions, such as evidence preservation, and the rights they can expect when reporting to law enforcement.
- As mandated by law, the Title IX Office will share reports of sexual violence with the Sexual Violence Review Committee to determine whether the report should be forwarded to law enforcement to protect the immediate physical health or safety of any individual or the campus community. A complainant’s wishes, if known, will be considered in determining whether a report will be shared with law enforcement.