Trinity International University

Title IX

Title IX states that: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Trinity International University Title IX Policy Missions Statement

Trinity International University (University) is committed to maintaining a Christ-centered community, free of discrimination, including all forms of sexual intimidation and exploitation. Accordingly, the University will not tolerate any acts of sexual assault or sexual violence on its students, faculty, or staff. The University will also attempt to protect the University community from sexual assault or sexual violence by its vendors, consultants, and third parties who interact with members of the University.

Title IX Members and Roles

  • Complainant – an individual or group of individuals who report an allegation of sexual assault to a Responsible Officer
  • Investigating Officer – an employee appointed by the University who is trained to respond to formal and informal complaints of sexual assault.
  • Respondent – an individual or group of individuals against whom an allegation of sexual assault is made.
  • Responsible Officer – an administrator to whom a complaint is reported. Responsible Officers ensure the complaint is addressed according to policy and procedures and may or may not act with a grievance offer in resolving the situation. Complaints should be directed to the Responsible Officer(s) as identified below. When more than one Responsible Officer is listed, Complaints may report the complaint to either office.
  • Title IX Coordinator – the University will designate an individual to serve as the Title IX Coordinator with primary responsibility for oversight and enforcement of the Title IX policies and processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sexual harassment

Sexual Assault – any actual, attempted, or threatened physical sexual act with another person without that person’s consent. It includes, but is not limited to, sexual acts perpetrated by force (expressed or implied), duress, deception, or coercion upon the victim. It includes acts referred to as “date rape” or “acquaintance rape,” and specifically includes sexual acts involving a victim who is incapable of giving consent due to age, disability, or impairment by alcohol or drugs. Sexual assault generally will constitute a crime punishable under Illinois statutes. In reported instances of sexual assault, law enforcement will be contacted by the Responsible Officer or the head of Campus Safety and Security. Sexual assault includes, but is not limited to rape.

What is rape?

Rape, as required by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA) the University, employs the FBI definition for rape: Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with anybody or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim:
  • Acts on a person who is not conscious or able to give consent
  • Indecent exposure
  • Direct or indirect threats linked to sexual propositions or activity
  • Coerced sexual activity
  • Sexual battery is the unwanted touching of an intimate part of another person, such as a sex organ, buttocks, or breasts
  • Use of intoxicants, including alcohol, intended to incapacitate the victim or impair the victim’s ability to give consent

What is sexual violence?

Sexual Violence – includes domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Domestic Violence – is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior that is used by an intimate partner to gain or maintain power and control over the other intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. Dating Violence – is defined as violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim, and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
  • The length of the relationship;
  • The type of relationship;
  • The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
Stalking – is defined as a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.

What is the definition of consent?

Consent – explicit, informed, voluntary, and mutually understandable communication to willingly participate in specific sexual activity without pressure, threats, coercion, force, or intimidation. Either person must also be able to withdraw consent and cease any sexual activity at any time. A current relationship, having previous sexual encounters, or silence from the individual may not be taken as an indication of consent. Similarly, a passive response or sexual advances that are not resisted physically or verbally do not constitute consent. Someone who is not of legal age has a mental disorder, or is physically or mentally incapacitated may not give consent. The use of alcohol or drugs may render an individual incapable of giving consent due to impaired judgment and the inability to make decisions or communicate intentions. Consent may not be given by someone who is unconscious or unaware, or for any reason is unable to communicate her/his intention.

Who can I report to?

  • Local Police Department
  • Campus Safety & Security Services
  • Confidential Resource (Pastor, Counselor, Confidential Advisor)
  • Non-confidential Resource (Security, RA, Student Life, Professor, Academic Advisor)

Will my report be confidential?

The University will seek to honor any requests by an alleged Complainant to keep his or her name confidential. At the same time, the University, in order to facilitate a safe and non-discriminatory educational environment, may find it necessary to pursue disciplinary action in a manner that requires disclosure of the student’s identity to an alleged perpetrator. In the case of such an event, the University will inform the alleged Complainant prior to making this disclosure and take whatever interim measures are necessary to protect the alleged Complainant and ensure the safety of other students.

Does it make a difference if the sexual misconduct occurs on or off-campus?

The reported offenses have to have occurred on TIU’s campus or during an event that is supported or hosted by the University elsewhere.

What are the Complainant’s Rights & Options?

  • An explanation of available options for redress, including changing dorm rooms, changing class sections, etc;
  • Freedom from harassment or retaliation by the alleged perpetrator (or supporters);
  • An explanation of the complaint procedure and hearing process;
  • Notification of no contact with Respondent, and assistance in obtaining an order of protection;
  • Use of any available internal and external support services;
  • Ability to speak on their own behalf during the investigation (including making a “survivor impact” statement);
  • The presence of an advisor and/or a support person during the hearing;
  • The opportunity to present witnesses who can speak about the charges (character witnesses excluded);
  • Freedom from having irrelevant personal/sexual history discussed during the hearing;
  • Information about the outcome of the hearing;
  • Opportunity to appeal the outcome of the hearing.

What are the Respondent’s Rights & Options?

  • An explanation of the charge(s);
  • Freedom from harassment or retaliation by the Complainant;
  • An explanation of the complaint procedures and hearing process;
  • Notification of no contact with the Complainant, and assistance in obtaining an order of protection;
  • Use of any available internal and external support services;
  • The presence of an advisor and/or a support person during the hearing;
  • The opportunity to present witnesses who can speak about the charges (character witnesses excluded);
  • Freedom from having irrelevant personal/sexual history discussed during the hearing;
  • Information about the outcome of the hearing;
  • Opportunity to appeal the outcome of the hearing.

Title IX Representative Contact Information

Mary Guthrie, Dean of Students
Title IX Coordinator
847.317.7114
[email protected]

Dawn Greene
VP of Human Resources and Organizational Development
Responsible Officer
847.317.7138
[email protected]

Susan Corapi, Professor
Confidential Advisor
847.317.7163
[email protected]

Aron Forch, Campus Safety and Security Manager
Responsible Officer
847.317.7126
[email protected]

Gianluca Cueva, TIU-Florida Title IX Representative
Responsible Officer
954.382.6416
[email protected]

Dana Clark, Trinity Law School Associate Dean
Responsible Officer
714.796.7167
[email protected]

Title IX Resources

If you are in an emergency situation, dial 911 for local police or medical personnel. You can
also reference the available resources below.

Trinity International University Crime Statistics Data
TIU Crime Statistics Data

Title IX Policy & Procedures
Sexual Assault Policy

Title IX Online Reporting 
Online Reporting Form

Local Police Departments

Deerfield Campus Safety and Security Services
847.317.6400 (24 hours a day)

Medical
Advocate Condell Medical Center Emergency Room
639 S. Stewart Ave
Libertyville, IL 60048
847.990.5300

Highland Park Hospital Emergency Room
777 Park Ave West
Highland Park, IL 60035
847.432.8000

Lake Forest Hospital Emergency Room
660 N. Westmoreland Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
847.535.6150

Preserve Evidence
For the purpose of evidence collection, we suggest that you avoid drinking, eating, showering,
brushing your teeth, combing your hair, and changing your clothes. If you have done any of
these things, evidence may still be collected and it remains important for you to seek
medical attention. If you have changed your clothes, take the clothes you were wearing at
the time of the assault to the hospital in a paper bag. If you have not changed your clothes, it
may be a good idea to bring a change of clothes to the hospital.

Confidential Resources
The university encourages individuals to report sexual misconduct as soon as possible, but
there are no time restrictions.

Off-Campus Resources
A Safe Place
20 South County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
847.360.6471

Z-Center (Sexual Abuse Center)
4275 Old Grand Avenue
Gurnee, IL 60031

Community Youth Network
18640 E Belvidere Road
Grayslake, IL 60030
Crisis Line 847.587.3100
Website: cyngrayslake.org

IL Domestic Violence Hotline: 877-863-6338
Website: dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30275

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
Website: thehotline.org

RAINN, National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
Website: rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline

On-Campus Resources
Student Life
847.317.7114 (during business hours)

Susan Corapi
Confidential Advisor
847.317.7163

File a Report

The university is required to report all sexual assaults to law enforcement. If you are unsure about filing a police report, consider contacting these confidential resources:

Campus Safety and Security Services
847.317.6400 (24 hours a day)

Susan Corapi, Confidential Advisor
847.317.7163

How to Help?

  • Listen, and do not judge
  • Assure your friend that they are not to blame
  • Accompany your friend if they seek medical attention or law enforcement assistance
  • Don’t question or press your friend for details
  • Take time for yourself mentally and get help if you need it
  • Be there for support

Protective measures can be requested at any time

The following are examples of resources
available:

  • Non-disciplinary
  • Non-punitive
  • Reasonably available
  • Examples include: academic accommodations, leave of absence, modified class
    schedule, counseling

Title IX Training Materials