Sexual and Gender-based Misconduct Respondent Resources
The Respondent is someone alleged to be responsible for behavior that is in violation of the College’s Title IX policy, found here. If you are contacted by the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office, it's important to keep in mind that the office is not planning to interview or interrogate you at that time. Rather, they would like to meet with you to follow up on the report and discuss you options, rights, and resources. When you meet with the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office initially, you will not be required to provide a response or any information that day but will instead be given time to prepare and submit your response to the report at a later date.
If you have been accused of sex discrimination, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or other gender-based harassment, the following information may be useful.
students
- The Counseling Center is a confidential and professional resource for all students. A trained counselor can help you sort through your experience and provide you with support and information.
If a charge of sexual or gender-based misconduct is brought against you, the Title IX coordinator or designee will offer you the option of working with a sexual and gender-based misconduct (SGBM) Support Specialist, a Skidmore staff or faculty member who is trained to support responding students.
- The SGBM Support Specialist is trained to help the responding student understand the nature of the formal complaint and to discuss the sexual and gender-based misconduct policy and all processes involved.
- The SGBM Support Specialist assists the responding student in understanding the alleged violation of the sexual and gender-based misconduct policy, the severity of the accusations against them, the process, and all possible sanctions.
- The SGBM Support Specialist may assist the responding student throughout the campus conduct process, including being present at the conduct hearing. SGBM Support Specialists, like other advisors, may not speak at the conduct hearing.
- In consultation with other college officials or faculty members where appropriate,
an SGBM Support Specialist may assist in arranging any of the following accommodations:
- Change of on-campus student housing to different on-campus location
- Exam (paper, assignment) rescheduling
- Taking an incomplete in a class
- Transferring of sections
- Alternative course-completion options
- Responding students may choose from a diverse list of potential SGBM Support Specialist and may switch SGBM Support Specialist at any point should they choose.
At Skidmore, you have access to a wide range of confidential and trained resources who can help and support you:
Confidential Support Services
- Skidmore College Health Services
McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center, Second Floor
Phone: 518-580-5550 - A confidential resource for students seeking medical care after an incident, including STI testing, emergency contraception, and women’s health services. Staff can help coordinate housing or academic accommodations. After-hours on-call support is available — contact Campus Safety at 518-580-5566 and ask for the Health Services provider (no name required).
- Skidmore College Counseling Center
McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center, Second Floor
Phone: 518-580-5555 - Offers same-day crisis appointments, short-term therapy, group sessions, and psychiatric services. A mental health clinician is always available after hours — call the main number and follow prompts for crisis support.
- Also available: BetterMynd– free, confidential teletherapy accessible evenings and weekends.
Support for Navigating Processes
SGBM Support Specialists
Trained Skidmore faculty and staff who can help you understand your options and support you through the campus conduct process.
- Help explain the SGBM policy and your rights
- Assist in arranging academic or housing accommodations
- Attend procedural meetings with you (as a silent support person)
- Support you throughout the process—while keeping your preferences at the center
You can choose from a diverse list of specialists and switch at any time.
Current trained support specialist:
- Jamin Totino – Director, The Learning Commons
jtotino@skidmore.edu | 518-580-8150 - Brenda Pashley – Academic Counselor, The Learning Commons
bpashley@skidmore.edu | 518-580-8150
faculty and staff
If you are responding to a report that you may have violated the sexual and gender-based misconduct policy, you may feel confused, upset, or even ashamed and frightened. The Employee Assistance Program is a confidential and professional resource for all employees.
If a charge of sexual or gender-based misconduct is brought against you, the Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX or theAssociate Director for Employment and Workforce Diversity will reach out to you to review your options, rights, and resources.