The Institute values the privacy of its students, employees, and other community members. Community members should be able to seek the assistance they need and access this policy without fear that the information they provide will be shared more broadly.
Even offices and employees who cannot guarantee confidentiality will maintain privacy to the greatest extent possible. The information provided to a non-confidential resource will be relayed only as necessary for the Title IX Coordinator to investigate and/or seek a resolution. Non-personally identifiable information may also be provided to the Campus Safety Department to report statistical information about Clery reportable crimes.
All activities under these procedures shall be conducted with the privacy interests of those involved. While the Institute will take all reasonable steps to protect the privacy of individuals involved in a complaint, it may be necessary to disclose some information to individuals or offices on campus in order to address a complaint or provide for the physical safety of an individual or the campus. Thus, the Institute cannot, and does not, guarantee that all information related to complaints will be kept confidential.
Generally, the Institute will not share information about a report or record of prohibited conduct under this Policy without the permission of the party, unless required by law. The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits institutions to share information with parents/guardians of students when: (i) there is a health or safety emergency, or (ii) when the student is a dependent on either parent’s prior year federal income tax return.
In order to maintain the privacy of evidence gathered as part of any resolution process, access to materials under the procedures in this policy will be provided only by a secure method and parties and advisors are not permitted to make copies of any documents shared or make use of the documents outside of the processes described in this policy. Inappropriately sharing materials provided during this process may constitute retaliation and result in disciplinary action.
The Institute will take reasonable steps to protect the privacy of the parties and witnesses during the pendency of its processes contemplated by this Policy, provided that such steps do not restrict the ability of the parties to obtain and present evidence, to speak to witnesses, to consult with their family members, Confidential Employees, or advisors, or otherwise prepare for or participate in a process. The Institute will also take reasonable steps to prevent and address the parties’ and their advisors’ unauthorized disclosure of information and evidence obtained solely through the processes contemplated by this Policy. However, disclosures of such information and evidence for purposes of administrative proceedings or litigation related to the complaint of Sex-Based Discrimination will be authorized.
1. Confidential Reporting Options
Individuals may speak confidentially with a Confidential Resource. Confidential Resources may not report to the Title IX Coordinator any identifying information about conduct that may violate the Institute’s policies against Prohibited Conduct without the written consent of the individual who supplied the information, unless required by law. An individual’s disclosures to a Confidential Resource will not be reported to the Title IX Coordinator or initiate any process under this Policy. These Confidential Resources are provided to offer non-judgmental support and information to help an individual decide what is best for him or her as he or she recovers.
The Institute employs confidential employees. For an Institute employee to be confidential, the employee must be hired for and functioning within the scope of their duties to which the privilege or confidentiality applies. Disclosures made to these employees means that information cannot be disclosed to anyone internal or external to the Institute without the expressed permission from the individual disclosing the information. When a Confidential Employee receives information or a report about any act that potentially constitutes a violation of this Policy, they must share the following information: 1) that they are a confidential employee for purposes of this Policy, including the circumstances in which the employee is not required to notify the Title IX Coordinator about conduct that reasonably may constitute Sex Discrimination, including Sex-Based Harassment; 2) how to contact the Title IX Coordinator and how to make a complaint of conduct prohibited under this Policy; and 3) that the Title IX Coordinator may be able to offer and coordinate supportive measures, as well as initiate an informal resolution process or an investigation under the grievance procedures.
2. Confidential Resources
The following is the contact information for on-campus confidential resources for students:
Counseling Office,
Student Life Building, First Floor
315-797-0000 ext. 2012 or 315-927-8643 (Available Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
After hours crisis support available after hours by calling Campus Safety.
The counseling services noted above are available to students free of charge.
The following is the contact information for confidential resources for employees:
Employee Assistance Program
Center for Family Life and Recovery
315-733-1726
eap@cflrinc.org
The following is the contact information for off-campus confidential resources for any individual:
Safe Horizon: 800-621-HOPE (4673)
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE
New York State Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906
New York State Office of Victim Services: 1-800-247-8035
Planned Parenthood: 1424 Genesee St., Utica, N.Y. 13502, 315-724-6146
YWCA Mohawk Valley: 24-hour Crisis Hotline, 315-797-7740
Non-crisis: info@ywcamv.org, 315-732-2159
Medical/Emergency Room: Wynn Hospital, 440 Columbia St., Utica, N.Y. 13502, 315-917-9966
These confidential resources can help and provide information regarding medical assistance and treatment (including information about sexually transmitted infections and sexual assault forensic examinations) and resources available through the New York State Office of Victim Services, and law enforcement options.
In order to make informed choices, it is important to be aware of confidentiality and mandatory reporting requirements when consulting on- and off-campus resources. When a report is made to these confidential resources, a report is not being made to the Institute, and it will not result in other supportive measures, an investigation, or other corrective measures. Any person who desires supportive measures (such as a change in housing, academic, or work assignments) or wishes to seek formal action in response to their allegations (such as investigation, hearing, and/or sanctions) is encouraged to make their report/disclosure to the Title IX Coordinator.
3. Non-Confidential Resources – Reporting to the Institute
The Institute is committed to providing a prompt, fair, and impartial response to all allegations of Prohibited Conduct and has non-confidential campus resources available to the Pratt Munson community. These non-confidential resources are required to report disclosures of Prohibited Conduct to the Title IX Coordinator. The following is the contact information for offices and individuals who have been trained to receive and respond to reports of Prohibited Conduct under this Policy:
Title IX Coordinator, Tiffany Varlaro
tvarlaro@prattmunson.edu or 315-797-0000 ext. 2183 or 315-927-8646
Director of Human Resources, Eva Gibbons
egibbons@munson.art or 315-797-0000 ext. 2116
Dean, Suzanne Snyder
ssnyder@prattmunson.edu or 315-797-0000 ext. 2220
Campus Safety Director, Chris Holmer
cholmer@munson.art or 315-797-0000 ext. 2126
