The University’s Commitment:
The University of Mississippi is committed to fostering an environment that prevents sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and other unwelcome sexual conduct and interpersonal violence. As part of this commitment, the University adheres to effective, equitable, and fair procedures to investigate and adjudicate formal complaints containing allegations of this nature.
The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities that it operates, and is required under Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 not to discriminate in such a manner. The University does not tolerate or excuse sexual harassment or interpersonal violence.
This website provides resources and information for individuals who are alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment (complainants), individuals who have been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment (respondents), faculty and staff, parents and friends, and other members of the University community. If you have questions or need to talk with someone at the University, please contact the University’s Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator, Honey Ussery. Alternatively, complainants may contact VIP: Survivor Support, and respondents may contact UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy for confidential assistance. The University also offers medical services, including Sexual Assault Nurse Examinations (SANE exams), at the Student Health Center during regular business hours. The contact information for the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator is provided below, and the contact information for other on-campus resources is located at the bottom of this page.
Office of Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance
The EORC/Title IX Office is responsible for addressing and responding to allegations of sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and other sexual misconduct. Accordingly, the EORC Office conducts investigations into formal complaints alleging a violation of the University’s Title IX or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policies, and provides supportive measures and accommodations to parties, with or without the filing of a formal complaint. Those looking to file a report or formal complaint of sex-discrimination, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, or sexual misconduct should contact the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator using the contact information below.
Honey Ussery
Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator
Office of Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance
University of Mississippi
P.O. Box 1848
120 Lester Hall
University, MS 38677-1848
P: (662) 915-7045
hbussery@olemiss.edu
VIP: Survivor Support
Traumatic events happen every day in all communities and the University of Mississippi (UM) community is not exempt. Sexual violence can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, gender or sexual orientation. Impact can vary and UM strives to mitigate the impact of traumatic experiences by decreasing barriers and empowering victim-survivors in making informed decisions by providing free and confidential trauma informed services.
VIP: Survivor Support is a confidential, on-campus resource that promotes awareness of the realities of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and other forms of sexual misconduct. VIP: Survivor Support also serves as confidential advocacy to assist complainants of sexual misconduct and other interpersonal violence, and as a liaison between the University and local resource groups. VIP: Survivor Support is not a part of the police department or the Title IX Office.
The University educates all its members on awareness and intervention related to sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence. Education includes University policy, state criminal laws, Title IX and federal laws, the impact of trauma, how to recognize and respond to incidents, and the importance of the complainant deciding what is best for them.
If you have questions about the VIP: Survivor Support Services, or if you’d like to talk with a confidential Advocate, please call Shelli Poole at (662) 915-1059 or email sapoole@olemiss.edu for an appointment. To learn more about the VIP: Survivor Support Services please go to VIP: Survivor Support.
UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy
The UMatter: Student Support and Advocacy Office at the University of Mississippi is an on-campus resource that serves as the official office for finding resources and information on how students can care for themselves and their peers when in distress. The UMatter: Student Support and Advocacy Office also provides confidential advocacy to assist respondents and those alleged to have committed sexual misconduct, and as a liaison between the University of Mississippi and local resource groups. The UMatter: Student Support and Advocacy Office operates under the presumption that the respondent is not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the Title IX grievance process.
If you have questions about UMatter, or if you’d like to talk with a confidential Advocate, please call Mandi Bloodworth at (662) 915-7248, or email umsafe@olemiss.edu or mandib@olemiss.edu. To learn more about the UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy Office please visit UMatter.
Contact Information
Office of Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance (EORC)
Honey Ussery
Director of Regulatory Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
Office of Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance
University of Mississippi
P.O. Box 1848
120 Lester Hall
University, MS 38677-1848
P: (662) 915-7045
hbussery@olemiss.edu
titleix@olemiss.edu
VIP: Survivor Support
Shelli Poole
Director and Confidential Advocate
VIP: Survivor Support
University of Mississippi
P.O. Box 1848
309 Longstreet
University, MS 38677-1848
P: (662) 915-1059
sapoole@olemiss.edu
UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy
Mandi Bloodworth
Case Manager
UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy
University of Mississippi
P.O. Box 1848
Student Union Suite 301
University, MS 38677-1848
P: (662) 915-7248
F: (662) 915-5735
University Counseling Center
University of Mississippi
P.O. Box 1848
320 Lester Hall
University, MS 38677-1848
P: (662) 915-3784
F: (662) 915-7831
counslg@olemiss.edu
University Psychological Services Center
University of Mississippi
382 Kinard Hall
University, MS 38677-1848
P: (662) 915-7385
F: (662) 915-1396
Student Health Center
University of Mississippi
400 Rebel Drive
University, MS 38677-1848
P: (662) 915-7274
F: (662) 915-5292
Clinic for Outreach and Personal Enrichment (COPE)
Dr. Alexandria Kerwin
Clinical Coordinator
2301 S. Lamar Blvd.
University, MS 38677
P: (662) 915-7197
Most University employees, including faculty and staff, are required to report sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence to the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator. If you are unsure whether someone can maintain confidentiality, ask before giving details about your situation. If you would like to make a report of sexual misconduct, contact the Title IX Coordinator at (662) 915-7045 or TitleIX@olemiss.edu. All complaints of sexual misconduct are handled sensitively and with the appropriate level of discretion.
In addition to potentially being a violation of the University’s Title IX Policy or its Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy, sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and interpersonal violence may also be unlawful under applicable state or federal law, or other University policy.