SFA enforces and abides by laws that protect student privacy
August 8, 2016
The privacy of university students is protected by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). SFA takes the responsibility of protecting the privacy of students seriously.
Additionally, the federal law Title IX requires SFA to keep confidential any investigations of sexual misconduct. SFA does not comment substantively on ongoing investigations, but takes sexual misconduct very seriously and investigates any such allegations diligently and thoroughly, in accordance with both federal law and university policy.
Based on the complexity of a complaint, the university also may seek the assistance of external expert investigators. NCHERM is an organization that employs investigators with extensive training and experience in performing external, independent and impartial investigations. Their investigators understand the effects of trauma and are skilled in conducting trauma-informed interviews.
SFA has retained the services of NCHERM as needed and cooperates fully with law enforcement authorities.
Victims of sexual violence are well-supported at SFA with a variety of resources available from the office of the Title IX Coordinator, Michael Walker. Any student needing support or information is encouraged to contact Dr. Walker by phone at (936) 468-8292 or via email titleix@sfasu.edu.
Anyone with information about violations of the university's sexual misconduct policy is encouraged to share that information with the university by calling (936) 468-2608. Information also may be shared with the Nacogdoches Police Department or the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Department.