A guide to the differences between filing a complaint with Law Enforcement or filing a complaint with Rensselaer Administration.
Filing a Complaint with Rensselaer Administration
Individuals may choose not to report sexual misconduct to campus officials. Rensselaer respects and supports the individual’s decision with regard to reporting; however, if information about sexual misconduct comes to the attention of the Institute, the Institute may (1) start an investigation even in the absence of a Complaint; and (2) notify appropriate law enforcement authorities if required or warranted by the nature of the information of which it becomes aware.
Anyone wishing to make a complaint under this policy should contact one of the following individuals or offices:
- One of the Title IX Coordinators or any one of the Title IX liaisons listed on the Contact Us page.
- Rensselaer Department of Public Safety, located at the Public Safety Building at the Visitor Information Center, 15th Street Footbridge and available by phone at (518) 276-6611 or contact Public Safety by using one of the Blue Emergency Phone Towers on campus. Public Safety officers are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
- Dean of Students Office, located at Academy Hall 4th Floor, Suite 4600. Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (518) 276-6266.
- Rensselaer Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Education Stan Dunn can be contacted at (518) 276-8433.
- Rensselaer Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Keith Moo-Young can be contacted at (518) 276-2244.
If an employee of the Department of Public Safety or any other Responsible Employee of the Institute receives a report of alleged sexual misconduct, that employee must and will notify one of the Rensselaer Title IX Coordinators. However, Rensselaer employees who are required by law to maintain confidentiality (staff in the Student Health and Counseling Center, and Office of Religious Affairs) will not file a report with Rensselaer Administration without the explicit permission of the Complainant (an individual who reports or files a complaint of sexual misconduct).
Individuals may also file an anonymous report of sexual misconduct.
Filing a Complaint with Law Enforcement
Individuals may file a Complaint directly with local law enforcement agencies by dialing 911 (emergency) or calling Troy Police Department at (518) 270-4411 (non-emergency). Individuals who want to report a Complaint of sexual assault on a New York college campus to the New York State Police may call the dedicated 24-hour hotline at (844) 845-7269. In an emergency, call 911 and ask for the New York State Police.
Individuals may also contact any of the following for assistance in filing a complaint with law enforcement:
- The Rensselaer Department of Public Safety may be contacted at (518) 276-6611. The Department of Public Safety is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Rensselaer Title IX Coordinators, Larry Hardy, Elizabeth Brown-Goyette and Jacquelyn Turner (518) 276-3065, (518) 276-4093 or (518) 276-3980 or any of the Title IX Liaisons, whose contact information is set forth above at Section I (D) (2) above.
It is important to note that filing a report or otherwise contacting the Rensselaer Department of Public Safety does not require the filing of criminal charges nor does it constitute the filing of criminal charges.
Individuals may inform law enforcement authorities about sexual misconduct and discuss the matter with a law enforcement officer without making a formal complaint (or filing a Complaint with Rensselaer). Individuals who make a criminal complaint may also choose to pursue a Complaint with the Institute simultaneously.
A criminal investigation into the matter does not preclude the Institute from conducting its own investigation (nor is the fact or results of a criminal investigation determinative of whether the complained-of conduct violates this policy or any other Rensselaer policy). However, the Institute’s investigation may be delayed temporarily while the criminal investigators are gathering evidence. In the event of such a delay, Rensselaer may take interim measures it deems necessary to protect the alleged victim and/or the Rensselaer community.
