At a glance
Regardless of whether an assault on the Notre Dame campus is reported to police, a student victim may request a university disciplinary hearing. They can present evidence that another student who allegedly assaulted them should be suspended, expelled or otherwise punished for violating the campus code of conduct.
Both students participate in the process. Hearings are conducted before a panel of two or more staff members from the university's Office of Community Standards.
The Tribune several weeks ago requested to meet with Notre Dame administrators to learn more about the hearing process. The Tribune also requested figures on the number of alleged sexual assault cases heard and how many of those cases resulted in suspensions, expulsions or other penalties.
The university denied the requests.
SOUTH BEND — Students at the University of Notre Dame and neighboring Saint Mary's College have for years been told to report to Notre Dame's police force if they are sexually assaulted on the Notre Dame campus.
Notre Dame Security Police officers investigate the case, notify the St. Joseph County prosecutor's office and then forward the results to the prosecutor, who determines if criminal charges should be filed.
Ken Cotter, elected prosecutor last year, has his own message for sex assault victims.
He said in an interview last week that victims of assault on the Notre Dame campus are free to report their cases directly to the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit and have the cases investigated by county officers, rather than the Notre Dame Security Police.
"They have that right," Cotter said. "County police can go anywhere. County police jurisdiction is all of St. Joseph County."
The issue of college sexual assault has attracted national attention recently, in part because of a new documentary film, "The Hunting Ground," which takes a critical look at the handling of sex assault cases at various campuses, including Notre Dame. The university for years has faced questions about sex assault cases on campus and how it investigates them.
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