Complainant Requests for No Action
Because sexual misconduct may, in some instances, constitute both a violation of Institute policy and a crime, and because the Rensselaer complaint process is not a substitute for initiating legal action, Rensselaer encourages individuals to report alleged sexual misconduct promptly to responsible employees or to a Title IX coordinator, as well as to law enforcement authorities, when appropriate.
Individuals may, however, choose not to report alleged sexual misconduct to such campus officials and/or law enforcement authorities. After a report is received, individuals will not be required to make a formal complaint if they choose not to do so, and will not be required to participate in any Institute investigation or resolution process if they do not wish to do so. RPI can still provide some supportive resources and measures to community members who choose not to participate in a resolution process.
Rensselaer respects and supports the individual’s decision with respect to reporting, and generally will not contact law enforcement without the individual's consent. Nevertheless, under certain limited circumstances, the Institute may itself notify appropriate law enforcement authorities if required or warranted by the nature of the allegations at issue. Under certain limited circumstances, Title IX coordinator may also prepare and file a formal complaint, if warranted, in cases in which the complainant chooses not to do so.
It is important that reporting individuals understand that if they do not participate in RPI's process after making their initial report, in most cases, RPI will not be able to take direct action against or with respect to the specific person accused of wrongdoing.
If Rensselaer determines that the alleged perpetrator(s) pose(s) a serious and immediate threat to the campus community, the Rensselaer Department of Public Safety, under the auspices of the Clery Act, may be called upon to issue a timely warning to the community. Any such warning will not include personally identifiable information about the alleged victim.
For more information, please consult Rensselaer’s Sexual Misconduct Policy or contact a Title IX coordinator.
