Campus life complements the student’s classroom experiences that lead to one’s personal growth and development.
Car Registration
All students are permitted to have vehicles on campus. All motor vehicles operated on campus by Chowan students must be registered with the Public Safety Department during the first week of each semester. Vehicles arriving after this time must be registered immediately.
Food Services
All resident students are required to participate in the Boarding (Meal) Plan. A number of Boarding Plan Options are available for students to select. Each plan offers students choices in meals and dining locations. For more information on Boarding Plan Options, please refer to the “Finances and Financial Aid” section of the Catalog.
Health Service
The Wellness Center is operated as a first aid and initial treatment outpatient facility. The Wellness Center is staffed by a registered nurse. A physician is available to students at an off campus clinic. The cost of any prescriptions or the cost of seeing a physician off campus is the responsibility of the student. There is a charge for any immunization required. Allergy shots may be given at a minimal charge, but arrangements should be made in advance. The University maintains a close relationship with ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital located in Ahoskie, NC and emergency medical technicians are available at all hours. Students with serious illness or contagious disease are best served at home or in the hospital. The University has limited isolation and quarantine facilities available on campus.
A MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND HEALTH REPORT IS REQUIRED OF ALL INCOMING STUDENTS. IMMUNIZATION RECORDS ARE REQUIRED BY NORTH CAROLINA STATE LAW AND MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO ENTERING COLLEGE.
The University requires each full-time student to maintain a personal health policy. International students are required to purchase hospitalization insurance before registering for classes.
Public Safety
The Office of Public Safety is responsible for protecting life and property by enforcing state and university rules and regulations. The staff consists of a state-sworn police officer as well as Public Safety officers who patrol the campus on a 24-hour basis by means of foot, and vehicle patrol. An escort service is available to and from any campus building upon request. The office sponsors special seminars on a regular basis dealing with such topics as crime prevention and fire safety. Public Safety works closely with local and state law enforcement agencies.
While the University takes all possible precautions to help residents protect their possessions, the University does not assume responsibility for items that are lost, stolen, or damaged. Students are advised to determine if their possessions are covered by their parents’ home owner insurance or, if needed, invest in adequate personal property insurance coverage.
Residence Life
Residence Life offers students a variety of housing options to choose from. The University’s newest residence complex is Whites Crossing. The first two buildings opened in 2012. Additional buildings opened in 2014 and 2016. They offer apartment (private bedrooms) and suite (shared bedrooms) style living.
In addition to Whites Crossing, five traditional residence halls are located on campus. All rooms are air-conditioned, wired for cable TV connection, and internet services. Bedrooms are furnished with beds and study areas. Most rooms are designed for double-occupancy.
University policy requires all full-time students to live in campus housing unless they meet one of the following conditions: (1) married; (2) live in the community with their parents or grandparents; (3) over 23 years of age; or (4) a veteran of the United States military.
All residence facilities are supervised by full-time professional staff, live-in Area Directors from Residence Life and undergraduate Resident Assistants. Room assignments are made through the Housing and Residence Life Office.
Chowan University is committed to providing students with a means for sharing their concerns and officially registering complaints about any academic program, student service, or university process. The Student Complaint Form provides students with an avenue to submit a concern regarding any area on campus for which no other specific process exists. This form is not an appeal form, and, therefore, should NOT be used to submit complaints regarding academic penalties or student disciplinary actions. Students should follow the established appeal process as outlined in the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.
Student Conduct and Expectations
The University is committed to Christian values that create an academic community that is orderly, caring and just. At Chowan every person is considered to be a person of worth. Cultural backgrounds, attitudes, and opinions different from our own are welcomed and appreciated; however, any form of harassment, hazing, lewd, or indecent behavior will not be tolerated. The University takes a strong stance against drug abuse, possession of firearms, and pyrotechnics. Drinking or possession of intoxicating beverages are not permitted on campus. The Honor Code, Campus Code, and rules and regulations are specifically stated in the current edition of the Student Handbook. Students are responsible for their own actions and behavior and are held accountable as such. The University reserves the right to contact parents when the conduct of a student places him/herself or others at risk.
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
- Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act
Consistent with federal law and its own Christian mission, Chowan University does not discriminate, nor tolerate discrimination, on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY
Introduction
Chowan University strives to provide an environment that is fully conducive to learning and intellectual pursuit within a Christian context. The University therefore condemns all forms of sexual discrimination as being inconsistent with its mission. Chowan University, as a Christian institution of higher education affirms its moral commitment to the dignity and worth of all individuals.
Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Sexual violence and harassment are forms of discrimination prohibited by Title IX.
Chowan’s policies prohibiting sexual violence and sexual harassment (“sexual misconduct”) are not only legal responsibilities with practical applicability, they stem from the University’s historical and continuing commitment to Christian and moral values. Chowan University takes seriously every allegation or report of sexual misconduct it receives. The University’s response is intended to assure that all parties involved are treated fairly, that victims receive appropriate support, and that allegations of sexual misconduct are handled in a prompt, thorough and equitable manner.
Scope
All members of the Chowan University community (students, faculty, and staff) are protected by and are responsible to adhere to the Sexual Misconduct Policy. This policy applies to any instance in which a member of the Chowan University community becomes a victim of or is alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct. The Sexual Misconduct Policy applies to all conduct that impacts the educational environment, regardless of whether it takes place on or off campus and regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of the individuals involved. Sexual misconduct committed electronically or via social media is included in this policy and is strictly prohibited by Chowan University.
Chowan University defines sexual misconduct to include:
- Sexual harassment – unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including but not limited to unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; or other verbal or nonverbal conduct of a sexual nature.
- Gender-based harassment – unwelcome conduct of a nonsexual nature based on a student’s actual or perceived sex, including conduct based on gender identity, gender expression, and nonconformity with gender stereotypes.
- Sexual violence (assault) – actual or attempted sexual contact with another person without that person’s consent. Sexual assault includes, but is not limited to: Intentional touching of another person’s intimate parts without that person’s consent;
- Other intentional sexual contact with another person without that person’s consent;
- Coercing, forcing, or attempting to coerce or force a person to touch another person’s intimate parts without that person’s consent;
- Rape, which is penetration, no matter how slight, of (1) the vagina or anus of a person by any body part of another person or by an object, or (2) the mouth of a person by a sex organ of another person, without that person’s consent.
- Sexual exploitation – a person takes sexual advantage of another person (victim) for the benefit of anyone other than the victim without the victim’s consent. Examples of behavior that could rise to the level of sexual exploitation include:
- Prostituting another person;
- Recording images (e.g., video, photograph) or audio of another person’s sexual activity, intimate body parts, or nakedness without that person’s consent;
- Distributing images (e.g., video, photograph) or audio of another person’s sexual activity, intimate body parts, or nakedness, if the individual distributing the images or audio knows or should have known that the person depicted in the images or audio did not consent to such disclosure and objects to such disclosure; and,
- Viewing another person’s sexual activity, intimate body parts, or nakedness in a place where that person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, without that person’s consent, and for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
- Relationship violence – committing an act of violence (including but not limited to, pushing, hitting, striking, using a weapon) against another person in the context of a dating, cohabitation or marriage relationship.
- Sex/gender-based stalking – engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his/her safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.
Definition of Affirmative Consent
For purposes of applicability to Title IX only, affirmative consent between individuals engaging in sexual activity is defined as “informed, freely and affirmatively communicated willingness to participate in sexual activity that is expressed by clear and unambiguous words or actions.” Clear and unambiguous words or actions are those that are freely and actively given by informed individuals that a reasonable person in the circumstances would believe to communicate a willingness to participate in a mutually agreed upon sexual activity.
The following factors will be considered when determining consent:
- It is the responsibility of each person who wishes to engage in the sexual activity to obtain consent.
- A lack of protest, the absence of resistance and silence do not indicate consent.
- The existence of a present or past dating or romantic relationship does not imply consent to future sexual activity.
- Consent must be present throughout the sexual activity and may be initially given, but withdrawn at any time.
- When consent is withdrawn, all sexual activity must stop. Likewise, where there is confusion about the state of consent, sexual activity must stop until both parties consent again.
- Consent to one form of sexual activity does not imply consent to other forms of sexual activity.
- Consent is not obtained where:
- There is physical force, threats, intimidation or coercion.
- There is incapacitation due to the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- There is the inability to communicate because of a physical or mental condition.
- An individual is asleep, unconscious or involuntarily physically restrained.
- An individual is unable to understand the nature or extent of the sexual situation because of mental or physical incapacitation or impairment.
- One party is not of legal age to give consent.
Report for Support
Chowan University strongly encourages any victim of sexual misconduct to report such misconduct to the University. Whether or not the victim intends to pursue disciplinary action against the accused, Chowan University places the highest importance on providing victims with support in responding to the incident. The University strives to end all forms of discrimination, prevent their reoccurrence, and remedy their effects both on individual victims and the larger University community. Retaliation and intimidation, whether by the accused or third parties, are prohibited and are considered violations of this policy.
Title IX Coordinator
Chowan University has designated a Title IX Coordinator to oversee the University’s compliance with and response to instances of sexual misconduct. The Title IX Coordinator is:
John Dilustro
Columns Building
dilusj@chowan.edu
252-398-6528
The Office of the Title IX Coordinator investigates incidents, coordinates support for victims, and may make initial disciplinary determinations when formal disciplinary proceedings are instituted in response to an allegation of sexual misconduct.
In addition to contacting the Title IX Coordinator, victims of sexual assault and of dating or domestic violence should immediately call Chowan University Public Safety at 252-398-1234 (if the assault took place on campus) or local law enforcement at 911. Victims are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical attention as well. Please seek medical attention prior to bathing or changing clothes to avoid destruction of evidence.
Reporting
There are many ways to report an alleged incident(s) of sexual misconduct. You may submit the Title IX Discrimination Complaint Form by email to TitleIX@chowan.edu, by campus or US mail, or bring it to the office of the Title IX Coordinator, Columns Building. If you are unable for any reason to complete this form and would like to make a verbal complaint, please call the Title IX Coordinator at 252-398-6528. Upon receiving a call, the Title IX Coordinator will be in touch. Please use the reporting method with which you are most comfortable.
Terminology
This policy refers to the individual who is the alleged victim of the behavior(s) in question as the “complainant” and the student alleged to have committed the violation of the policy as the “respondent”. Both the complainant and the respondent will be treated fairly and with respect throughout the process.
Time Frames
The university’s overall goal is to resolve complaints under this policy within 60 calendar days from receipt of a report. An investigation typically takes 10 to 30 days to complete. Generally, within 14 days after completion of an investigation (during which time the Title IX Coordinator may be seeking clarifying information and/or meeting with a complainant, respondent, or others), a hearing, if applicable, is scheduled.
Circumstances may require extensions of this overall 60-day time frame or any individual time frame discussed in this policy. The University reserves the right to extend these time frames in its sole discretion. Examples of reasons why time frames may need to be extended include the complexity of the case, delays due to fall/spring/summer/holiday breaks, inclement weather, and other extenuating circumstances. Exceptions to these time frames will be communicated to the complainant and respondent.
Retaliation
Chowan University strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual for reporting, providing information, exercising one’s rights or responsibilities, or otherwise being involved in the process of responding to, investigating, or addressing allegations of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence. Therefore, any retaliation, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any such individual, undertaken or attempted either directly or by third parties, will be addressed in the most serious way by Chowan University. Individuals who engage in such actions are subject to discipline up to and including suspension, expulsion, or dismissal from the University, consistent with University procedure. Anyone who is aware of possible retaliation or has other concerns regarding the response to a complaint of sexual misconduct should report such concerns to the Title IX Coordinator, who will take appropriate action(s) to address such conduct in a prompt and equitable manner.
Title IX Complaint Form
The Title IX Complaint Form can be submitted electronically here, or printed and submitted here .
Do not use this form to report events presenting an immediate threat. If you require emergency assistance, please contact Public Safety at 252-398-1234 or call 911.
John Dilustro
Columns Building
dilusj@chowan.edu
252-398-6528
This form is designed to provide Chowan University students, faculty, staff, and visitors with a method to report specific information related to an alleged incident(s) of discrimination, harassment (including sexual misconduct), or retaliation. To file this form, please complete and email, mail, or bring it to the office listed above. If you are unable for any reason to complete this form and would like to make a verbal complaint or send a complaint via email, please use the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information listed above. The University treats all information with sensitivity and discretion. However, the University has an obligation to assess all reports of sexual misconduct, and doing so may require the dissemination of some information. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator if you have any questions regarding the process for filing or investigation of complaints.
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