Get Help Now

Reach out for confidential advocacy and support to learn about the different options that are available.

Advocates are individuals provided by the University who work with complainants or respondents of interpersonal violence or sexual misconduct.

  • Advocates for complainants can accompany students to Student Health Center, Baptist Memorial Hospital, make a formal complaint under the University’s Title IX Policy or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy, report to law enforcement, and talk through all the options to empower individuals to make informed decisions moving forward.
  • Advocates for accused students (respondents) can accompany students to meetings with the Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance Office or Title IX Office, assist students in responding to formal complaints under the University’s Title IX Policy or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy, and inform individuals about the remainder of the grievance process.

For complainants, as well as individuals who are alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment (complainants), please call (662) 816-5377 to speak to an advocate.

For individuals who have been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment (respondents), please call (662) 915-7248 to speak to an advocate.

Get Medical Assistance

Student Health Center

Located on campus at 400 Rebel Drive or call (662) 915-7274, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Baptist Memorial Hospital

For medical assistance outside the operational hours of Student Health, please visit Baptist Memorial Hospital.

Medical services provided

  • Both Student Health and Baptist Memorial Hospital provide medical care, evidence collection, and STI testing.
  • Try not to shower, change clothes, eat or drink after an incident in order to preserve evidence.
  • Go to the hospital or health center as soon as possible. You have up to four days after an incident when evidence can still be collected.
  • Bring a change of clothes for after the exam.
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing and emergency contraception
    • The Student Health Center will perform STI testing for free. HIV examinations should be completed six weeks after an incident occurs.
  • What to expect from a sexual assault exam:
    • You will have the option to skip any step of the evidence collection kit, and the nurse will guide and inform you along the way.
    • The exam will be extensive and uncomfortable. Medical staff will collect samples of hair, skin, and bodily fluids, take blood, take pictures and complete a gynecological exam.
    • This exam is the best way to ensure evidence can be used in a criminal trial, so it’s best to have the exam if you think (even if you are not sure) you might report the incident to the police.

For more information please visit the Student Health Center website.

Make a Report or Formal Complaint with the University’s Office of Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance

Director of Regulatory Compliance and Title IX Coordinator

Honey Ussery, the Director of Regulatory Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, is the appropriate University official to contact to make a report or formal complaint of sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, relationship violence, or other sexual misconduct.

A report is different than a formal complaint.

  • A report is a communication to the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator notifying her of an allegation of sexual harassment, sexual assault, interpersonal violence, or sexual misconduct.
  • A formal complaint is a signed document from a complainant to the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual harassment, sexual assault, interpersonal violence, or sexual misconduct against a respondent and requesting that the University investigate the allegation.
  • Community members who believe they have, or believe someone they know has, experienced a potential policy violation may submit a report in writing, in person, by mail, by telephone, by electronic mail, or by any other means that results in the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator receiving the report.
  • Individuals who believe they have experienced a Title IX or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy violation may file a formal complaint with the EORC Office requesting an investigation into an alleged policy violation
    • Individuals can file a formal complaint without meeting with the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator in person, so long as the complaint: (i) contains the complainant’s physical or digital signature or otherwise indicates that the complainant is the person filing the formal complaint, (ii) alleges sexual harassment against the respondent, and (iii) requests that the University investigate the allegations.
Those looking to make a report or file a formal complaint alleging a violation of the University’s Title IX Policy or its Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy should contact the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator using the contact information below.

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

Talk to Someone

VIP: Survivor Support – Free

    • VIP: Survivor Support offers assistance to complainants and individuals who are alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.
    • Call (662) 915-1059 or email Shelli Poole, the confidential complainant advocate, at sapoole@olemiss.edu to request services or make an appointment.
    • For more information, please visit the VIP: Survivor Support website.

UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy – Free

    • UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy offers assistance to individuals who have been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.
    • Call (662) 915-7248 or email Mandi Bloodworth, the confidential respondent advocate, at mandib@olemiss.edu or umatter@olemiss.edu to request services or make an appointment.
    • For more information, please visit the UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy website.

University Counseling Center – Free

    • The Counseling Center has a team of dedicated professionals who strive to offer the best care possible in an atmosphere of respect to individuals of the University community.
    • Call to make an appointment at (662) 915-3784 or email counslg@olemiss.edu to make an appointment.
    • Need assistance after hours? Call (662) 915-3784 to speak to an after-hours counselor or call UPD at (662) 915-7234 and ask to be connected to the counselor on call.
    • For more information, please visit the Counseling Center website.

University Psychological Services Center – Nominal fee

    • The Psychological Services Center offers a unique and comprehensive approach to the educational, psychological, and spiritual well-being of our community.
    • Call (662) 915-7385 to make an appointment.
    • The initial appointment is $25, and later appointments are billed on a sliding-fee scale.
    • For more information, please visit the Psychological Services Center website.

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) online hotline and telephone hotline – Free

Love is respect (relationship violence)

    • Hotline: 1-866-331-9474
    •  Text: Loveis to 22522
    •  Chat

Please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance for more information on these resources.

Supportive Measures and Accommodations

Supportive measures, which are non-disciplinary, non-punitive, individualized services offered by the University as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge, to either party, are available to the parties of a Title IX or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct case with or without the filing of a formal complaint.

Members of the University community may receive supportive measures from the EORC/Title IX Office, VIP: Survivor Support, or UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy, including but not limited to:

  • Academic accommodations (missed classes, exam changes, deadline extensions, etc.)
  • Housing accommodations (temporary safe housing or permanent room changes)
  • Safety accommodations (escorts on campus, no-contact letters)
  • Other individualized services offered by the University as appropriate and as reasonably available

Please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance for more information on supportive measures and accommodations.

Report to the Police

In an emergency, always call 911 or 4911 from a campus phone.
Remember: It does not matter if you were drinking (even if under the legal drinking age) or using drugs; the police care about what happened to you.

Where did the incident happen?

On campus property: University Police Department
Kinard Hall
662-915-4911 (emergency)
662-915-7234 (nonemergency)

In the city of Oxford, not on campus: Oxford Police Department
715 Molly Barr Road, Oxford, MS 38655
911 emergency
662-232-2400 (nonemergency)

In the county, outside the city: Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office
711 Jackson Ave. East, Oxford, MS 38655
911 emergency
662-234-6421 (nonemergency)

If the incident happened somewhere else or you are not sure: Call or visit UPD for assistance.

Important Information to Remember:

Filing a Formal Complaint

  • A complainant is an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.
    • A complainant generally has the option to decide whether they would like the University to conduct an investigation into the allegations of interpersonal violence or sexual misconduct.
  • A respondent is an individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.
  • If a complainant files a formal complaint with the University alleging a violation of the Title IX Policy or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy, they can withdraw the formal complaint at a later time if they decide to do so.

Advisors

  • The complainant and the respondent have the right to have an advisor of their choice, who may be, but is not required to be, an attorney, present throughout the entire grievance process.
  • At any time during the Title IX or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct grievance process, both parties may choose their own advisors or may request that the University provide them an advisor at no cost or fee.
  • An Advisor for either the complainant or respondent in a Title IX or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct case may: (i) accompany the party to any meeting or proceeding during the grievance process; (ii) assist the party with the gathering of evidence during an investigation; (iii) assist the party with inspecting and reviewing evidence gathered by the Investigator(s); (iv) be asked by the respective party to assist in making meaningful written responses to the information gathered throughout the investigative process; (v) attend the live hearing and make an opening statement and closing argument, as well as conduct cross-examination, orally and in real time; and (vi) be asked by the respective party to assist in submitting a written statement in support of, or challenging, the outcome of the live hearing, if necessary.

Amnesty

  • To encourage University community members to timely seek medical care and to promptly report allegations of sexual harassment and other prohibited conduct, the University offers amnesty to those individuals who the EORC Office learns has voluntarily consumed alcohol or other drugs relating to the alleged incident under investigation.
  • Students who have consumed or possessed alcohol or drugs during the circumstances related to or involving the incident alleged in a Title IX or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct report or formal complaint will not face conduct proceedings nor be otherwise sanctioned for such conduct under the University’s drug and alcohol policies.
  • This amnesty extends to complainants, respondents, and any witnesses making a report, formal complaint, or participating in an investigation or proceeding in any manner

Retaliation

  • Retaliation against an individual who initiates a Title IX or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct report or formal complaint, participates in an investigation, or pursues legal action, is prohibited.
  • Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for code of conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination, or a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by the University’s Title IX or Interpersonal Violence and Sexual Misconduct, constitutes retaliation.
  • If an individual believes they may have experienced retaliation, please contact the EORC Office.

Office for Civil Rights

Complaints can be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights using the following contact information:

U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Lyndon Baines Johnson Dept. of Education Bldg.
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
P: 1 (800) 421-3481
TDD: 1 (800) 877-8339
P: (202) 245-6800
F: (202) 245-8392
Email: ocr@ed.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tell the police?

No. As long as you are over the age of 17, it is your choice whether you want to go to the police. If someone else is concerned about your safety or believes you are in danger, that person may call the police. Generally, it is your option to press charges.

Will the school tell my parents?

In most cases, no. FERPA is a federal law that protects information about you and your access of University services.

Do I have to discuss what happened with the University?

No. If you get a phone call or email from a University employee and do not want to discuss your experience, please respond and let the employee know you do not want to discuss the incident.

What do I do if …

1. I am concerned about my immediate health or safety, or feel like I or someone else is in danger

If you are concerned that you or someone else is in danger of imminent physical harm, contact law enforcement immediately. If you are on the Oxford campus, the University Police Department can be reached at (662) 915-4911 or (662) 915-7234. If you are in the Oxford city limits, you can reach the Oxford Police Department by calling 911 or (662) 232-2400. If you are in Lafayette County, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office can be reached by calling 911 or (662) 234-6421. The hospital that serves the University, the city of Oxford, and Lafayette County, is Baptist Memorial Hospital and can be reached by calling 911 or (662) 232-8100. The number 911 should only be used for emergencies.

2. I want evidence collected (Rape kit, SANE kit)?

The Student Health Center on the Oxford campus offers Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exams Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Baptist Memorial Hospital can do evidence collection 24 hours a day. If possible, take the clothing you were wearing with you, and do not shower or eat before seeking to have evidence collected. You can have evidence collected up to 96 hours (four days) after an incident has occurred. The hospital will notify the police; however, you do not have to discuss what happened with the police unless you choose to do so.

3. I want the police to investigate what happened?

The most common law enforcement agencies that interact with the University community are the University Police Department, the Oxford Police Department, and the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. If you are on the Oxford campus, the University Police Department can be reached at (662) 915-4911 or (662) 915-7234. If you are in the Oxford city limits, you can reach the Oxford Police Department by calling 911 or (662) 232-2400. If you are in Lafayette County, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office can be reached by calling 911 or (662) 234-6421. The number 911 should only be used for emergencies.

4. I want the University to investigate what happened?

If you would like the University to investigate what happened, contact the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator. The EORC Office is located in 120 Lester Hall.  The Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator can be reached by email at hbussery@olemiss.edu or titleIX@olemiss.edu, or by phone at (662) 915-7045.

5. I want University services and/or accommodations?

Depending on the circumstances, the University can provide numerous services, including academic accommodations, housing accommodations, counseling, health care services, parking services, police escorts, no-contact orders and other options. Either the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator, a VIP: Survivor Support advocate, or a UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy advocate, can help provide these accommodations. The University may also be able to recommend off-campus services.

6. I want to talk to a counselor?

The University has several options available for counseling services. The University Counseling Center is located on the Oxford campus and is available to University students and employees. The Counseling Center does not charge for its services. The University’s Psychological Services Center is located on the Oxford campus and is available to University students and employees and the general public. The Psychological Services Center charges users for its services on a sliding scale. The University has a Student Health Center located on the Oxford campus that offers psychiatric services and general medical care. There is no charge to see a physician or nurse practitioner. Family Crisis Services offers free counseling services off-campus as space allows. Contact information for these resources can be found above.

7. I want to speak to someone about advocacy?

Advocates are individuals provided by the University who work with complainants or respondents of interpersonal violence or sexual misconduct.

For complainants, as well as individuals who are alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment, the University has a VIP: Survivor Support area located in Longstreet 309 on the Oxford campus. Please call (662) 816-5377 to speak to an advocate.

For individuals who have been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment (respondents), the University has UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy. Please call (662) 915-7248 to speak to an advocate.

8. I want to keep my information private?

The Counseling Center, Student Health Center and Psychological Services are granted privilege by Mississippi law. Privilege means that in most circumstances employees in those offices are prohibited by law from sharing your information without your permission. Privilege applies to all individuals over the age of 18 but does not cover minors. In addition to employees with privilege, University policy allows workers in VIP: Survivor Support as well as in UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy to keep information private in most circumstances. Most other employees on campus are required to report all information about sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and other sexual misconduct to the Director of Regulatory Compliance/Title IX Coordinator.

If you choose to seek a medical exam for the sake of evidence collection (SANE exam), the medical provider probably will notify law enforcement so the evidence can be collected and preserved. You do not have to discuss what happened with the police unless you choose to do so.  You are also able to complete an evidence collection kit anonymously, and your kit would be stored under a code provided by the Student Health Center or Baptist Hospital.  If you are seeking a medical exam for other reasons, the information you provide to the medical staff generally will be protected by law.

Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi is an advocacy service that is not affiliated with the university. Family Crisis Services will not share information with the university and generally will keep your information private unless you provide consent.

9. I want emergency contraception, STI testing, pregnancy testing and/or other non-urgent medical care?

The Student Health Center on campus provides all of these services. You may call for an appointment at (662) 915-7274 or walk in to be seen. You do not have to disclose to front desk personnel the reason you are seeking health care. The physician, nurse practitioner or nurse you speak with cannot share anything about the incident with anyone else.