Policies and Laws
The University of Tulsa strives for a safe environment free of fear, harassment, and violence. One way the University does this is by creating and enacting policies and procedures intended to set and maintain the high standards of the institution, the safety of its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and providing a means for holding perpetrators of these acts of violence and harassment accountable while respecting the rights and needs of survivors. The following information will provide you with more details on the applicable University policies, state laws and federal laws, as well as the role alcohol plays in understanding and obtaining consent.
TU Policies
The University of Tulsa has a number of policies in place that address harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence.
Oklahoma Laws
Oklahoma has a number of laws that sexual violence and domestic abuse. The following list is not all inclusive, and you are encouraged to explore the Oklahoma State Courts Network for more information.
Federal Laws
Find information and links on various Federal laws in place that impact sexual violence response on university campuses.
This project was supported by Grant No. _2016-WA-AX-0007__ awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
The University of Tulsa has a number of policies in place that address harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence. Below is the initial portion of our Policy on Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Pertaining to Students.
Sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are criminal acts that violate the standards of our community and are unacceptable at The University of Tulsa. These crimes can be devastating to the person who experiences them directly and can be traumatic to the person’s family, friends, and larger community as well. Anyone who believes they have experienced any of these crimes is encouraged to report the incident and to seek medical care as soon as possible.
The University stands against sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking and will take prompt, decisive action to: investigate allegations of sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking and initiate the University Student Conduct Board (USCB) disciplinary process if appropriate; and issue appropriate sanctions against any student found responsible for such acts whether the behavior occurred on campus or off campus. The University of Tulsa respects the privacy of consensual relationships among its students and does not intend to become intrusive in these relationships. However, if these relationships should lead to a charge of sexually violent behavior or if a student is involved in an unwanted or non-consensual sexual act, then The University will assist the student who comes forward as necessary and make available its conduct process.
Campus Policies
The University of Tulsa has a number of policies in place that address harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence.
University Student Conduct Policies & Procedures (Complete Policy Handbook)
Policy on Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Pertaining to Students
Oklahoma has a number of laws that sexual violence and domestic abuse. The following list is not all inclusive, and you are encouraged to explore the Oklahoma State Courts Network for more information.
Consent
The legal age of consent for any type of sexual activity is 16.
According to Oklahoma law, a person cannot legally give consent for sexual activity if:
a) the person is under the age of 16 (legal age of consent) Title 21, Section 1123 (b) of the Oklahoma Statutes
b) the person is developmentally disabled, or
c) the person is mentally incapacitated or physically helpless, including as a result of alcohol or drugs.
Title 21, Section 1111 of the Oklahoma Statutes
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence: harassment, photos, interference with personal liberty, intimidation of a dependent, physical abuse, or willful deprivation by a person who is or was a family, household member or domestic partner of the complainant. A family, household member or domestic partner includes: a spouse, former spouse, parent, child, stepchild, or other person related by blood or by present or prior marriage; a person who shares or formerly shared a common dwelling; a person who has or allegedly has a child in common or shares a blood relationship through a child; a person who has a dating or engagement relationship; a personal assistant to a person with a disability; or a caregiver.
Oklahoma Code on Domestic Abuse Title 22, Section 60.1(1) of the Oklahoma Statutes
Rape
Rape is illegal in the state of Oklahoma.
To view the laws, definitions, punishments, and survivor support, see Oklahoma Statutes, Title 22
For additional statutes relating to sexual violence, domestic violence, harassment, stalking, and other forms of violence and abuse, you may search the Oklahoma Statues page.
Below you will find information and links on various policies and laws in place that impact sexual violence response on university campuses.
Title IX, Education Amendments,1972
Title IX is a landmark federal civil right that was made into law in 1972 which prohibits sex discrimination in education. Since then, a number of other laws and policies have been put into place that impact the rights of survivors of sexual violence, the requirements of Universities in responding to reports of sexual violence, and the procedures and consequences for the perpetrators of these acts.
The Clery Act, 1990
The Jeanne Clery Act is a federal statute requiring colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to maintain and disclose campus crime statistics and security information. The U.S. Department of Education conducts reviews to evaluate an institution’s compliance with the Clery Act requirements. Initially called the “Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act” and later renamed in memory of slain student Jeanne Clery.
Violence Against Women Act, 1994
Established federal legal definitions of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Made funding grants for reducing these crimes available to higher education institutions.
Dear Colleague Letter, 2011
Noting that sexual assault had become an epidemic on college campuses, the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recommended that “all schools implement preventive education programs” as part of their orientation programs for new students, faculty, and staff. The programs should include a discussion of what constitutes sexual harassment and sexual violence, the school’s policies and disciplinary procedures, and the consequences of violating these policies.
The Campus Save Act, 2013
The Campus Save Act amended the Clery Act to mandate extensive “primary prevention and awareness programs” regarding sexual misconduct and related offenses. Schools must educate students, faculty, and staff on the prevention of rape, acquaintance rape, relationship abuse, sexual assault, and stalking.