Campus Policies and Definitions
The University of Wisconsin River-Falls is committed to providing faculty, staff and students with the information and resources they need to be informed regarding sexual assault and harassment. This webpage contains information about UWRF and Universities of Wisconsin policies, designed to provide knowledge and support for individuals affected by sexual assault or harassment.
If this is an emergency or crisis situation, please consult our Emergencies and Crisis Situations webpage or call 911.
Do you want to learn more about prohibited sexual misconduct at UWRF? Start with the following resources.
Know Your Definitions
UWRF prohibits sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and sexual exploitation. When you file an incident report, the Title IX coordinator uses the definitions outlined in Chapter UWS 17.151 to determine if the allegation may rise to a violation of policy.
Follow the Process
If you choose to pursue an investigation, the procedures in Chapter UWS 17.152 guide the investigation process. If your case goes to a live hearing, the procedures in Chapter UWS 17.153 apply.
You'll receive a finding following the investigation and hearing. That finding outlines whether the hearing officer was able to substantiate allegations of sexual misconduct. If there is a finding of responsibility, the decision will also include applicable disciplinary sanctions. Students who disagree with the outcome may file an appeal to the chancellor, utilizing the procedures in Chapter UWS 17.154.
Following the appeal to the chancellor, students may be able to file a final appeal with the Board of Regents. The regents have the discretion to determine whether they'll hear an appeal. If they do, the procedures in Chapter UWS 17.155 apply.
Alternative Resolutions
Students who do not wish to participate in a live hearing may opt for an informal resolution or settlement agreement if both parties agree to the resolution process. Informal resolutions and settlement agreements follow the conditions and procedures in Chapter UWS 17.156.
UW-River Falls uses the definitions in the Board of Regents Policy on Sexual Violence and Harassment, as well as the definitions and procedures outlined in the Wisconsin Administrative Rules for Chapters UWS 4, 6, 7, 11, 13 and 17.
- For reports alleging that a student engaged in sexual misconduct, the definitions and procedures in Chapter UWS 17 apply
- For reports alleging that a faculty member engaged in sexual misconduct, the following definitions and procedures apply:
- Chapter UWS 4, Faculty Procedures for Dismissal
- Chapter UWS 6, Faculty Complaints and Grievances
- Chapter UWS 7, Dismissal of Faculty in Special Cases
- For reports alleging that a member of the academic staff engaged in sexual misconduct, the following definitions and procedures apply:
- Chapter UWS 11, Dismissal of Academic Staff for Cause
- Chapter UWS 13, Academic Staff Complaints and Grievances
- For reports alleging that a member of the university staff engaged in sexual misconduct, the definitions and procedures in Appendix D of the Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy apply
- For reports alleging that a university employee who does not fall into any of the above categories engaged in sexual misconduct, the definitions and procedures in Appendix D of the Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy apply
Wisconsin Criminal and Administrative Laws
Section 36.11(22)(2)(c) Wisconsin Statutes requires any person employed at a UW institution who witnesses a sexual assault on campus or who receives a report from a student enrolled in the institution that the student has been sexually assaulted must report the incident.
Sexual Assault
Section 940.225 of the Wisconsin Statues created four degrees of sexual assault. The degrees are based upon the amount of force used by the perpetrator and the harm done to the victim. Section 948.02 regards age of the victim. First, second and third degree sexual assaults are felonies; fourth degree sexual assault is a misdemeanor.
A person can be imprisoned not more than 40 years for committing first degree sexual assault. This includes:
- Sexual intercourse or sexual contact without consent which inflicts great bodily harm or pregnancy, or
- Sexual intercourse or sexual contact without consent accomplished by using or threatening to use a dangerous weapon, or
- Sexual intercourse or sexual contact without consent while aided by one of more persons by use of threat of force or violence, or
- Sexual intercourse or sexual contact, with or without consent, with a person under the age of 13.
A person can be imprisoned not more than 20 years and/or fined not more than $10,000 for committing second degree sexual assault. This includes:
- Sexual intercourse or sexual contact without consent through the use or threat of violence, or
- Sexual intercourse or sexual contact without consent which causes injury, including illness, disease or impairment of a sexual or reproductive organ, or mental anguish requiring psychiatric care, or Sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person known by the perpetrator or be unconscious or mentally ill or under the influence of an intoxicant to a degree which renders that person incapable of appraising the person’s conduct, or
- Sexual intercourse or sexual contact without consent while aided by one or more persons, or
- Sexual intercourse or sexual contact, with or without consent, with a person who has not attained the age of 16 years
A person can be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $10,000 for committing third degree sexual assault. This includes:
- Sexual intercourse with a person without consent of that person, or
- Sexual contact with intentional penile ejaculation with a person without consent of that person.
A person can be imprisoned not more than nine months in the county jail and/or fined not more than $10,000 for committing fourth degree sexual assault. This includes:
- Having sexual contact with a person without that person's consent. Sexual contact means any of the following: Intentional touching, by the complainant or defendant, either directly or through clothing by the use of any body part or object, of the complainant's or defendant's intimate parts, if that intentional touching is either for the purpose of sexually degrading or humiliating the complainant, or sexually arousing or gratifying the defendant.
The law defines the word consent as words or overt actions by a person who is competent to give consent indicating a freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.
