Student Handbook – Sexual Assault/Misconduct

Rice University will not tolerate sexual assault in any form, including acquaintance rape. There is a range of exploitative behavior which does not amount to assault, but which the University nonetheless deplores, and which may result in disciplinary action against the perpetrator. Attempts to obtain sexual favors through psychological coercion, including but not limited to, threats to embarrass or intimidate the victim (even when this does not include threat of force) are examples of behavior which may result in disciplinary action, even though the behavior is not defined as sexual assault. Such sexual misconduct may be a violation of the sexual harassment policy or the Code of Student Conduct given elsewhere in this book.

Rape is generally defined as forced sexual intercourse perpetrated against the will of the victim. This concept applies regardless of whether the assailant is a stranger or an acquaintance of the victim and applies to all members of the Rice community. The type of force may involve physical violence, the threat of harm to the victim or sexual exploitation of a person who is physically unable to resist or is unconscious, whether this state is due to alcohol consumption or some other reason. Other forms of sexual assault include sexual battery (defined as the unwanted touching of an intimate part of another person), as well as forced anal copulation, forced oral copulation and rape by a foreign object.

Sexual assault, including acquaintance rape, is a violation of Texas law and may be punishable by imprisonment. The University will make no attempt to shield members of the Rice community from violations of law nor will it intervene in legal proceedings commenced against a member of the community. In addition to criminal prosecution, Rice University will pursue strong disciplinary action through its own processes when there is reason to believe that University regulations against sexual misconduct have been violated. Thus a member of the Rice community may be prosecuted by the state and disciplined by the University at the same time, and, even if criminal authorities choose not to prosecute, the University may pursue disciplinary action.

Sexual assaults on campuses often involve the use of drugs or alcohol. It must be stressed that use of alcohol or drugs by either the victim or the perpetrator does not diminish the perpetrator’s responsibility for the violation.

Emergency Reporting
Rice University encourages victims of sexual assault to report the incident in order to ensure that victims receive the services they need and deter these assaults. Reports of sexual assault should be made immediately to the University Police, whose officers have received special training in assisting victims of sexual assault, or to the Houston Police Department. The Houston Area Women’s Center Rape Crisis Program also provides immediate advice and assistance to sexual assault victims. A report should also be made as soon as possible to the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs.

Other helpful campus resources for sexual assault victims include the Student Health and Wellness Center, the Rice Counseling Center and the College Masters. The University will assist students who request assistance in rearranging their classes or living arrangements because of an alleged sexual assault.

If you have been sexually assaulted
Step 1:  Do not bathe, shower, douche or change clothes. You may destroy evidence that can be used to prosecute your attacker.

Step 2:  Obtain medical attention. The University Police (x6000) can transport you to the medical facility of your choice. Memorial Hermann Hospital is the recommended facility
for emergency treatment for sexual assault survivors.  The hospital can also do a medical examination in which evidence is gathered which could be used to document the assault. It is important to seek medical attention even if you are not sure that you will pursue criminal charges  —  you may change your mind later  —  and even if you don’t, you need to get medical help for injuries and to protect against possible pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Call the Houston Area Women’s Center (713-528-RAPE) for assistance and support.

Step 3:  Report the assault to the University Police (x6000) or to the Houston Police (713-222-3131) even if you do not plan to press charges.

Step 4:  Seek counseling. Don’t try to cope with sexual assault alone. You can call the Counseling Center (x4867) or the Houston Area Women’s Center (713-528- RAPE) for emotional support and for assisting in your decisions about future actions.


In order to pursue disciplinary action through the University: If the assailant is a student, report the matter to the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs. Based on individual circumstances, the matter may be heard by a specially chosen Judicial Affairs Subcommittee or by the Assistant Dean. In any case, the Assistant Dean is responsible for resolution and any disciplinary action (which may range from a warning to permanent dismissal). If the assailant is a staff or faculty member, report the case to the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity Program or the Human Resources Office.

In order to press charges outside the University: File a formal complaint with the police department that has jurisdiction over the area where the assault occurred. If the assault occurred on campus, you can file your report with the University Police, or you can call them to find out where you should file the report.

Note: Pursuing non-legal action through the University and through the external legal system are separate and independent processes, and filing a complaint with one process does not invoke the other. If students wish to pursue both routes they must follow both processes. The Assistant Dean or other university officials will put them in touch with someone to assist in both systems.

Disciplinary Action
Those wishing to initiate a disciplinary action against a student for violation of this statement on sexual assault should so inform the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs who will proceed in accordance with the formal complaint procedures of the sexual harassment policy on pages 60-62. Possible disciplinary sanctions include, but are not limited to, expulsion from the University.

Educational Programs
Educational programs for students are coordinated by the Wellness Center. Specially-trained members of SOAR (Students Organized Against Rape) and CAPP (College Assistance Peer Program) are also available for peer support and assistance for sexual assault survivors and their close friends. Contact the Wellness Center, the Counseling Center or the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Programs for information.