Mandatory Reporting FAQs
Reporting Questions (General)
- Why is reporting important?
- Where can I learn more about MSU's mandatory reporting obligations?
- Am I a mandatory reporter?
- What types of incidents need to be reported?
- Where do I report a RVSM incident?
- How do I report?
- Am I still required to dual report RVSM incidents to MSU Department of Police and Public Safety?
- If a report is made to the MSU DPPS, will it be reported to OCR?
- If a report is made to OCR, will it be reported to the MSU DPPS?
- Are certain employees or offices considered exempt from reporting?
- Do I have reporting obligations if I learn about RVSM in my personal capacity and not as an employee?
- What if several people learn of an incident together? Can one person report on behalf of the group?
- What information do I have to give when I report?
- What if I don’t know if the incident really happened or happened the way someone told me it happened? Do I have to report if I think something is just a rumor?
- What happens after I make a report?
- What if the person disclosing to me does not want me to report?
- Are there times that OCR moves forward with an investigation when the impacted person declines to participate or wants to remain confidential?
- The policy mentions obligations that are about University Community Members. Who does this include?
- What should I do if I know that a Responsible Employee failed to report?
- If I am attending a public event and a disclosure is made, am I required to report it ?
- Do the reporting obligations change if a student disclosing a violation of this policy is under the age of 18?
- What is Public Act 50 (2023) and what do I need to know?
Reporting Questions Regarding Individuals Seeking or Accessing Confidential Resources
- If someone tells me they are a “survivor,” do I need to report?
- If someone tells me they are receiving services from Center for Survivors or Safe Place, do I need to report?
- Where can survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking receive confidential counseling that will not trigger a report to the police or OCR?
Reporting Questions Regarding “Off-Campus” Incidents
- Does the university review reported incidents of RVSM that occurred off campus?
- What constitutes “on University Property” for purposes of mandatory reporting and investigating?
- A student disclosed to me that they were sexually assaulted by an unknown individual while on spring break in Florida. Am I required to report this?
- A student disclosed to me that they were sexually assaulted by an unknown individual on a MSU study abroad program. Am I required to report this?
- As a mandatory reporter, what social media comments or posts am I required to report?
Reporting Questions Regarding Timeline for Reporting
- What is considered reporting “promptly”?
- Are there any limitations to reporting for incidents that occurred in the past?
Reporting Questions (Student Employees)
- I am a graduate teaching assistant/research assistant. What are my reporting obligations?
- I am an undergraduate student employee. What are my reporting obligations?
- Do I have reporting obligations if I learn about sexual assault or other relationship violence or sexual misconduct in my personal capacity and not as an employee?
Reporting Questions (Faculty)
- If I am required to report sexual assault or other policy violations that are disclosed to me as a faculty member, should I advise students of my reporting obligations in advance?
- I conduct research in the area of sexual assault. How will these reporting obligations affect my research and ability to promise confidentiality to research subjects?
- Do I have a reporting obligation if I observe bruises on a student and I suspect the student is being physically abused, but the student has not shared any information with me about the cause of the bruises?
Reporting Questions (Exempt Offices)
- If I work in an office that is considered exempt from reporting while providing services, when am I “providing services” and when would I need to report?
- If I work in an office that is exempt from reporting and someone discloses to me, what information am I responsible to give them?
- I am a licensed mental health professional and I am prohibited by state law from disclosing confidential information learned from my clients. It is part of my role with the University to provide mental health services under my license. If something is disclosed to me by a client in my role as a licensed mental health professional, am I still required to report to OCR?
Reporting Questions (Health Care Professionals)