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Title IX &
Power Based Violence

Your voice matters. Your safety is our priority.

Northwestern State University is committed to a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus. We support survivors, uphold everyone’s rights, and strictly prohibit all forms of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Our goal is not to meet standards but to foster a culture of respect, accountability, and empowerment.

Reporting

 

Northwestern State University strongly encourages the reporting of sex discrimination, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. If you’ve experienced or witnessed an incident, we’re here to support you—without judgment and without pressure.

When you report, you will be informed of your options for:

 

  • Health and wellbeing counseling
  • Employment accommodations
  • Housing or residence life accommodations
  • Academic or classroom accommodations
  • Filing a Formal Title IX Complaint
  • Filing criminal charges (optional)

 

Reporting is about getting help—it does not obligate you to take legal action. Filing a report with Title IX is separate from reporting to law enforcement. Whether or not to involve the police is entirely your decision.

 

Title IX is here to help you navigate your options and support your rights.

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Responsible Employee

 

Every Northwestern State University employee is considered a responsible employee. When an individual tells a responsible employee about an incident involving sexual misconduct, the employee must report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator.

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Officials with Authority

 

For all schools, notice of an incident to an Official with Authority charges a school to institute corrective measures within their capacity.

 

Julie Powell

Director of Title IX Compliance & Title IX Coordinator

318-357-5570

obannonj@nsula.edu

 

Traci LaBom Norris

Director of Accountability & Student Conduct

318-357-4448

labomt@nsula.edu

 

Reatha Cox

Vice President for Student Experience & Dean of Students

318-357-5285

coxr@nsula.edu

 

University Police

318-357-5431

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University Obligations

  • Take prompt necessary steps to stop sexual violence and harassment, prevent its recurrence, and remedy the effects, whether or not the incident is the subject of a criminal investigation
  • Offer support services and take interim steps, including but not limited to free counseling services, moving residence halls, moving classes, changing transportation options, issuing mutual no contact, and/or any other reasonable accommodation
  • Investigate alleged incident
  • Provide a grievance procedure based on preponderance of evidence standard to resolve complaints of sex discrimination, including complaints of sexual violence and harassment
  • Notify both parties of outcome of complaint
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NSU Student Ambassadors sit on the lawn of Normal Hill

Confidential Advisors & Clergy Members

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Definitions

 

Certain words used in the Power Based Violence/Title IX Policy and its related procedures have defined meanings. These defined words are listed below for your reference. Where starred (*), the terms listed herein are defined as stated in the Louisiana Board of Regents’ Uniform Policy on Sexual Misconduct.

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Students walking into dorm rooms on campus.
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Crime Stats Annual

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NSU students sit on lawn of CENLA Campus academic building

Title IX Training Certification

Julie Powell
Kinshanna Fontenot
Reatha Cox
Yonna Pasch
Megan Lowe
Raymond McDowell
Alan Pasch
Rachal Cunningham
Mary Katherine Horton
Leah Jackson
Lindsey Vascocu
Vashaun South
Matthew Craig
Amy Lee
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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the Title IX Coordinator?

The Title IX Coordinator ensures schools are compliant with Title IX, oversees educational efforts for students, faculty, and staff, coordinates the investigation and disciplinary process, and looks for patterns or systemic problems with compliance to ensure schools fulfill all their federal obligations.

What if a student discloses to Faculty or Staff?

As a responsible employee per Title IX related law, faculty and staff must report the disclosure to the Title IX Coordinator. Please feel free to contact the Title IX Coordinator for assistance immediately. Additionally, please download the What to Report Guide (Employee) below and the NSU TIX Brochure-Not Alone to give to the student.

 

What factors contribute to the likelihood of sexual assault?

Research has shown that alcohol use and sexual violence are associated. Make every effort to watch out for friends and plan interventions to take action if need be-be proactive and do not be a bystander to sexual misconduct. For more information about how you or your student organization can get involved in eliminating sexual misconduct in our community, contact the Title IX Coordinator-Julie Powell at (318) 357-5570, obannonj@nsula.edu or visit 306 Friedman Student Union during office hours.

Will my friends and I get in trouble if we report and we've been partying?

Northwestern State provides amnesty-forgiveness of nonviolent student conduct violations, such as underage drinking-for any student reporting sexual misconduct in good faith.

Will others know that l've reached out for help?

All reporting of sex discrimination and sexual misconduct is treated as confidential to the greatest extent possible; the privacy of all individuals involved is important to the Northwestern State. In most situations, only individuals involved in the resolution of the situation will have access to the information about the case. If there is a risk of the alleged perpetrator committing additional crimes, if an individual is in immediate danger, or if there has been expressed intent to harm others, or other risks such as involvement of a weapon or the age of the person involved (minor), the University may determine that it is necessary to compromise the level of privacy provided.

How am I protected if I report or act as a witness?

Title IX policy and NSU’s Student Code of Conduct prohibit retaliation. Acts or attempted acts for the purpose of interfering with any report, investigation, or proceeding, or as retribution or revenge against anyone who has reported sexual misconduct, relationship violence, sex discrimination, or who has participated (or is expected to participate) in any manner in an investigation or proceeding under the NSU policy is strictly prohibited. Prohibited retaliatory acts include, but are not limited to, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination. For purposes of this NSU policy, an attempt requires a substantial step towards committing a violation.

What happens after an incident is reported and what are the University sanctions for sexual misconduct?

Once an incident is reported, the complainant is not obligated to file a grievance with the University or a criminal charge with law enforcement. The Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator will explain all options to the complainant with the goal of ending the sexual violence and harassment, preventing its recurrence, and addressing the effects. Please see University Obligations below for more information regarding accommodations.

 

NSU has policy and procedure set in place to fairly and quickly address sexual misconduct. Students found responsible for sexual misconduct may receive sanctions ranging from an educational alternative to expulsion. Sanctions are determined on a case- by-case basis.

 

Employees found responsible for sexual misconduct may receive sanctions ranging from Suspension to Termination. Sanctions are determined on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, the incident may be investigated and adjudicated by the University and local law enforcement simultaneously.

 

For details regarding informal and formal resolutions, investigations, disciplinary actions, and appeals, please see the current version of the Power Based Violence/Title IX Policy on this page.

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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