Title IX

Matthew Byrne, Executive Director of Risk Management, is the Title IX Coordinator. He can be contacted at TitleIXCoordinator@msmc.edu, 845-569-3597, or by visiting his office in Garden Apartments 1 (main campus), Room 205.

Margaret Kemp, Director of Disability Services,  is the Deputy Title IX Coordinator. She can be contacted at Margaret.Kemp@msmc.edu, 845-569-3638, or by visiting her office in Aquinas Hall 100C-3.

The Title IX coordinator is responsible for overseeing the College’s response to Title IX reports and complaints, and identifying and addressing any patterns or systemic problems revealed by such reports and complaints. The Title IX Coordinator also:

• Answers questions and provides guidance on Title IX matters including compliance and related College policies.
• Acts as a resource for all members of the College community.
• Assists with training students and employees.
• Assists with the investigation and adjudication of complaints.

Affirmative consent is defined as a knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create clear permission regarding willingness to engage in the sexual activity. Silence or lack of resistance, in and of itself, does not demonstrate consent. The definition of consent does not vary based upon a participant’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Consent is required regardless of whether the person initiating the act is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Consent may be initially given but withdrawn at any time. When consent is withdrawn or can no longer be given, sexual activity must stop. Past consent does not imply future consent and consent to one form of sexual activity does not imply consent to any other forms of sexual activity. The initiator has the sole responsibility to confirm consent. Coercion, force, intimidation, or threat of harm invalidates consent. An individual of minority age cannot give consent.

The College recognizes that students who have been drinking and/or using drugs (whether such use is voluntary or involuntary) at the time that violence, including but not limited to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault occurs, may be hesitant to report such incidents due to fear of potential consequences for their own conduct. The College strongly encourages students to report domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to College officials. A bystander acting in good faith or a reporting individual acting in good faith who discloses any incident of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to College officials or law enforcement will not be subject to the College’s code of conduct action for violations of alcohol and/or drug use policies occurring at or near the time of the commission of the domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault.

Confidentiality means that the person you tell something to will not tell anyone else without your permission. Privacy means the person will only share the information you tell them with others at the College who have a need-to-know.

Confidential resources on campus are Counseling Services, including the Director of Disability Services, Campus Ministry, and Health Services.  Contact information for on and off-campus resources, both confidential and private, can be found here.

If you are the victim of sexual assault or another crime, you may contact Security & Safety at 845-569-3200. The College has designated the Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator(s) as “Officials With Authority” to take corrective action to redress sexual harassment or sexual misconduct.  To make a complaint, you may contact the Title IX Coordinator (Matthew Byrne, TitleIXCoordinator@msmc.edu, 845-569-3597), the Deputy Title IX Coordinator (Margaret Kemp, Margaret.Kemp@msmc.edu, 845-569-3638). Matthew Byrne's office is located at Garden Apartments 1, Room 205. Margaret Kemp's office is in Aquinas Hall, room 100C-3.  You can also use this form to make a complaint about any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Director of Student Conduct, (Amy Weit, Amy.Weit@msmc.edu, 845-569-3652). Amy Weit’s office is located in Hudson Hall.  This form can also be used to file an anonymous complaint. See this flowchart for more details.

The College is mindful of the effects of sexual discrimination on complainants, particularly with reports of sexual assault. Requests not to initiate an investigation will be weighed against the College’s obligation to provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all members of its community.