Report Alleged Misconduct for an Organization

Any JMU student, faculty, or staff member wanting to report alleged misconduct involving a recognized student organization or student group may do one of the following:

• Submit a report using the online reporting form above
• Schedule a meeting with OSARP to learn more about the process and about submitting a report

If the alleged misconduct is being reported by a non-JMU individual, OSARP may be able to proceed if the alleged misconduct follows the guidelines listed in the “Jurisdiction - Recognized Student Organizations and Student Groups” section of the Student Handbook.

The decision to initiate the Organizational Accountability Process, based on report(s) received by OSARP, is at the sole discretion of OSARP. The Organizational Accountability Process outlines the criteria used by OSARP to assess report(s) and is the process used by the university to investigate and/or review the alleged misconduct of recognized student organizations or student groups as defined in the Student Handbook. Individual(s) submitting a report(s) are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this process prior to submitting a report(s).

What to Include in Your Report

OSARP's ability to assess, investigate, and/or review report(s) depends on the timeliness, accuracy, and specificity of the information provided. You are encouraged to provide as much information as possible so proper evaluation can occur for the alleged misconduct. When using the “Report Alleged Misconduct for an Organization” link above, you will be asked to provide specific and detailed information, including but not limited to:

• Name of the organization(s) or group(s) involved
• Name of any student(s) involved
• Date(s), semester(s), time(s), location(s), and academic year(s) in which the alleged misconduct occurred
• Any attachments, documents, or files related to the alleged misconduct
• Your relationship to JMU (e.g., student, faculty/staff, community member, etc.)
• Your name and contact information (see “Anonymous Reporting & Participation in the Process” below for more information)

The most important aspect of the report you submit is the description of the alleged misconduct. This is where you provide a specific and detailed account of the information you have. It is vital to provide as much information as possible since the university may be limited in its response or may be unable to pursue a process if insufficient information is provided, as determined by OSARP.

The following are examples of descriptions that DO provide specific and detailed information. Generally, it is best to describe the acts and behaviors in detail rather than only reporting that something occurred. Also, if you are reporting what someone else experienced, you should provide your information and their information, including how you came to know about their experience and as much detail about their experience as possible:

• “During an ORGANIZATION event on DATE at LOCATION, new members were forced to consume large amounts of alcohol and perform physically strenuous tasks. Specific individuals involved include senior members NAME and NAME. The activities took place in LOCATION. I witnessed several new members vomiting and one fainting due to excessive alcohol consumption.”
• “New members were subjected to verbal abuse and forced to perform humiliating tasks in front of other members on DATE at LOCATION. Specific individuals involved include senior members NAME and NAME. The incident occurred in LOCATION. One new member, NAME, was in tears and visibly distressed.”
• “My sibling, NAME, was forced to participate in a hazing ritual for ORGANIZATION. He was blindfolded and made to perform strenuous physical activities, including push-ups and running laps, while being shouted at and called demeaning names. This took place in LOCATION on DATE, at around TIME. NAME was also deprived of water during the activity.”

The following are examples of descriptions thatDO NOT provide specific and detailed information, which limits OSARP from responding or pursuing a process:

• “I heard that some new members of ORGANIZATION were hazed. It involved drinking. I don’t know the names of the people involved.”
• “I heard that there might be hazing happening at the university. Please investigate.”
• “I experienced hazing and forced alcohol consumption by ORGANIZATION.”
• “While walking by an off-campus party for ORGANIZATION, I noticed members being hazed.”

If an individual would like assistance with the reporting process, they can contact OSARP to schedule a meeting. If a report is submitted that has limited information, and the individual who reported provides their name and contact information, OSARP will follow-up with the individual who submitted the report to seek clarification on the information provided and/or to provide additional opportunities to submit information.

Anonymous Reporting & Participation in the Process

• Though initial anonymous reports of alleged misconduct for recognized student organizations or student groups are permitted, doing so may limit OSARP’s ability to investigate and/or respond. Additionally, there is no time limit for reporting alleged misconduct, but the longer an individual(s) waits to submit a report, the more difficult it may be for OSARP to obtain information and/or make determinations on an alleged policy violation(s). Those who are aware of alleged misconduct for recognized student organizations or student groups are encouraged to report it to OSARP as quickly as possible.
• While an anonymous report(s) can be used to initiate the Organizational Accountability Process, the university cannot guarantee any request for anonymity after the Organizational Accountability Process begins. The university is required by law to provide organizations with reasonable notice of the alleged policy violation(s) and a summary of the report(s) with enough information for the organization to understand the alleged policy violation(s) in order to present their perspective. Organizations must be able to review and respond to all information presented to the Organizational Accountability Investigator(s) and/or decision maker(s), requiring any information gathered in the Organizational Accountability Process to include the identification of people, places, and events.
• If the university determines, at any point in the Organizational Accountability Process, there is elevated risk to individual or campus safety, OSARP will typically proceed with the Organizational Accountability Process, including an Organizational Accountability Investigation Process, using any information received, which may include information provided by a Reporting Party(ies), regardless of their desire to be anonymous. In these circumstances, the Reporting Party(ies) known to the university will not remain anonymous in any report that is received, will be informed of the university’s decision to proceed with the Reporting Party(ies)’s information provided, and will be given the opportunity to participate in the Organizational Accountability Investigation Process and any subsequent proceedings. OSARP will also reach out to non-confidential faculty and staff who a Reporting Party(ies) may have provided information to about the incident(s) and request their participation in the investigation and/or review of the matter.