Institutional effectiveness

Institutional effectiveness is responsible for institution-wide accreditation, grants, data reporting and research, planning and professional development. It also oversees Title IV, equal employment opportunities, Freedom of Information (FOIA) Act.

Title IX/Sexual misconduct

Sandburg takes the safety of our students seriously and strives to provide a safe and healthy environment for all of our students, staff, faculty and guests.

The Campus Sexual Violence Act (Campus SaVE), the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and the Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act require college campuses to provide information, training, and ongoing prevention and awareness programs to combat sexual violence.

View Sandburg's Title IX and sexual misconduct policy.

What is sexual violence?

The Campus Sexual Violence Act requires institutions to educate students and employees on the prevention and awareness of sexual assault. According to the Illinois Criminal Code, the following definitions apply:

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship, of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim is dating violence. The existence of such a relationship is determined based on the following factors:

• Length of the relationship
• Type of relationship
• Frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship

SEXUAL ASSAULT

A person commits criminal sexual assault if that person commits an act of sexual penetration and:

1. Uses force or threat of force.
2. Knows the victim is unable to understand the nature of the act or is unable to give knowing consent.
3. Is a family member of the victim, and the victim is under 18 years of age.
   or
4. Is 17 years of age or older and holds a position of trust, authority or supervision in relation to the victim, and the victim is at least 13 years of age but under 18 years of age.

STALKING

A person commits stalking when they knowingly engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person, and they know or should know this course of conduct would cause a reasonable person to:

1. Fear for their safety or the safety of a third person.
   or
2. Suffer other emotional distress.

CONSENT

This means a freely given agreement to the act of sexual penetration or sexual conduct in question. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission by the victim resulting from the use of force or threat of force by the accused shall not constitute consent. The manner of dress of the victim at the time of the offense shall not constitute consent.

View the notice of complaintant's rights.

Check out some tips to reduce your risk of abuse.

Sandburg's response to a report of sexual violence

The college’s chief safety officer, who is notified of a complaint which is made pursuant to this policy will promptly and thoroughly undertake or authorize an investigation. Other authorized investigators include the college’s EEO officer(s), vice president of student development or any other person(s) designated by the college. The standard of evidence required is a preponderance of evidence generally used in civil courts. The preponderance of evidence standard means, based on whatever evidence is garnered, it is more likely that the crime was committed than not. Investigators will be trained annually on sexual assault and other intimate partner violence issues and the preponderance of evidence standard.

The chief safety officer or designee will conduct a prompt, fair and impartial investigation and resolution. Both the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during an institutional disciplinary proceeding, including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by an advisor of their choice.

If the allegations are founded as a result of the investigation, the college will take remedial action against the accused and prevent a recurrence. Both the accuser and accused will be informed in writing of:

• The outcome of any institutional disciplinary proceeding that arises from an allegation of sexual assault.
• The procedures for the accused and the victim to appeal the results of the institutional disciplinary proceeding.
• Any change to the results occurring prior to the time that such results become final.
• When such results become final.

The college will keep complaints and the terms of their resolution confidential to the extent possible given the need to investigate. Whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy requires a determination based on all the facts and surrounding circumstances. The college is required by law to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The college will comply with the reporting requirements of this law without including identifying information about the victim to the extent permissible by law.

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE

Sandburg's advising/counseling services will assist victims in changing their academic situation (class schedule), on-campus work, and transportation situations after a sexual assault incident if requested by the victim and if the accommodations are reasonably available. Sandburg doesn't maintain on-campus student housing facilities or residence halls.

POSSIBLE SANCTIONS 

Sexual assault is a violation of federal, state and local law and the policy of Sandburg. Therefore, criminal sanctions by the criminal justice system and administrative sanctions by the college may be imposed upon the accused if it is found that the accused perpetrated the offense. Disciplinary proceedings by the vice president for student development will determine what if any, administrative sanctions are imposed by the college upon students charged with violating the Student Conduct Code. Administrative sanctions may include disciplinary reprimand, probation, social probation, suspension, expulsion, assessment for restitution, separations or restrictions.

Sexual harassment in higher education is illegal.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits sexual harassment in institutions of higher education, specifically prohibiting unwelcome advances or conduct of a sexual nature, and requests for sexual favors of students by an executive, faculty member, administrative staff member or teaching assistant. Institutions of higher education include public or private universities, colleges, community colleges, junior colleges, business schools and vocational schools.
 

EXAMPLES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION

• Prohibited behavior includes interfering with the student’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment, such as a professor who continually makes jokes of a sexual nature in the classroom.
• A registration advisor who tells a student they might be able to get into a class if the student dates the advisor.
• An admissions officer who tells a prospective student that the advisor will put in a “good word” for the prospective student if they date the advisor.
• A financial assistance advisor who tells a student that “if you have sex with me, I can look out for scholarships for you.”
• A teaching assistant who promises a student a better grade if the student doesn't resist any inappropriate touching or sexual advances.
  
  

PROTECTION AGAINST RETALIATION

The Human Rights Act also prohibits retaliation against a student for:

• Opposing sexual harassment in higher education.
• Participating in an investigation (internal or external) of sexual harassment in higher education.
• Filing a charge.
  
  

WHAT TO DO

Any student who believes they're being subjected to sexual harassment or retaliated against should report the incident(s) to the following.

• Your local law enforcement agency.
• The Illinois Department of Human Rights:
  • To file a charge via phone call 312.814.6200 (Chicago) or 217.785.5100 (Springfield), 866.7403953 (TTY).
  • For information about the charging process, visit state.il.us/dhr.
• Michelle Johnson, Title IX coordinator at 309.341.5258.

Any charge alleging sexual harassment in higher education must be filed within 180 days of the alleged incident(s). Complaint forms are available at state.il.us/dhr. The charge process may be initiated by completing the state of Illinois document: (775 ILCS 5/) Illinois Human Rights Act, sexual harassment. The department may be reached at:

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The college, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator, complies with all applicable federal, state and/or local laws prohibiting discrimination. It's Sandburg's policy that no person will be discriminated against in employment, educational programs and activities, or in admissions on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national orientation, ancestry, genetic information, disability, age, arrest record status, marital or family status, citizenship status (with regard to employment), military status, unfavorable military discharge, sexual harassment, an order of protection status and status in any group protected by applicable federal, state and/or local laws.

The college will direct individuals to resources for English language proficiency so the lack of English proficiency isn't a barrier to future employment, admissions and participation in career and technical education (CTE) programs. View our career and technical education courses/program offerings and admission criteria, or by calling 309.341.5234.

Inquiries may be made internally by employees and students to:

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

• Principal Illinois law governing the inspection of public records
• Originally enacted on July 1, 1984

Principle

The public should be able to access public records and information about the workings of their government. The Illinois FOIA was amended in 2009. In amending the FOIA, the Illinois General Assembly declared: 

“It is the public policy of the state of Illinois that access by all persons to public records promotes the transparency and accountability of public bodies at all levels of government. It is a fundamental obligation of government to operate openly and provide public records as expediently and efficiently as possible in compliance with this Act.” 

FOIA requests