Columbia University Disciplinary Procedure for Sexual Assault

Columbia University, Barnard College, and Teachers College do not tolerate sexual assault of any degree or kind. The University community is committed to fostering a healthy and safe environment in which every member of the community can realize her or his fullest potential.

Sexual assault is a serious problem on college campuses throughout the country. To counteract this problem, the University provides educational and preventative programs, resources to individuals dealing with sexual assault, and accessible methods of complaint resolution.

The University encourages students who believe that they have been subjected to non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature to report these incidents, whether or not they choose to file an official complaint. Reporting enables the University to protect the complainant and the larger community by taking appropriate actions.

Definitions of Consent and Coercion

The presence of consent involves explicit communications and mutual approval for the act in which the parties are/were involved. A sexual encounter is considered consensual when individuals willingly and knowingly engage in sexual activity. The use of coercion in instances of sexual assault involves the use of pressure, manipulation, substances, and/or force. The absence of "no" is not a "yes".