Arkansas Tech University strongly encourages reporting of any form of gender-based discrimination or harassment, including harassment (sexual misconduct) such as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation.
Click here to access the Title IX Resource Guide.
Victims of or witnesses to acts of harassment (sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, and stalking) or other forms of sex-based discrimination can report online.
Click here to file an incident report online.
Anonymous reports are accepted via this reporting mechanism but can give rise to a need to investigate. ATU tries to provide supportive measures to all Complainants, which is impossible with an anonymous report. Reporting carries no obligation to initiate a formal response. ATU respects Complainant requests to dismiss complaints unless there is a compelling threat to health and/or safety. Anonymous reports may be used for Clery Act data collection purposes.
Written complaints or notice of alleged violations of the Equal Opportunity, Harassment (Sexual Misconduct), and Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedures, may be made to the following employees, which triggers the obligation for ATU to respond:
Amy N. Pennington
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator
Student Affairs
[Focus-Gender discrimination, including sexual misconduct]
Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Suite 233
Russellville, AR 72801
(479) 968-0407
apennington@atu.edu
Melissa Riffle
Director of Human Resources, AA/EEO Officer
Human Resources
[Focus-All types of protected class discrimination]
Brown Building, Suite 420
(479) 964-0583 ext. 2200
mriffle@atu.edu
Mitzi Reano
Project/Program Specialist and Deputy Title IX Coordinator-Ozark Campus
Human Resources
[Focus-All types of protected class discrimination]
Technology and Academic Support Building, Room 154
(479) 667-2117 ext. 6532
mreano@atu.edu
Ashlee Leavell
Assistant Dean for Student Wellness and Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Disability and Testing Services
[Focus-Discrimination based upon pregnancy]
Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Suite 141
(479) 968-0302
sleavell8@atu.edu
In addition to the Title IX team members listed above, the following Officials with Authority listed below may also accept notice or written complaints on behalf of ATU:
Kristy Davis, LPC-S
Associate Dean for Student Wellness/Health and Wellness Center Director and ADA/504
Coordinator
Health and Wellness Center
[Focus-Discrimination and/or harassment based upon disability]
Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Suite 119
(479) 968-0329
kdavis51@atu.edu
Will Cooper
Associate Dean for Student Conduct
Student Conduct
Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Suite 233
(479) 968-0334
wcooper@atu.edu
William Titsworth
Assistant Dean for Student Conduct/Lead Investigator
Student Conduct and Title IX Office
Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Suite 233
(479) 498-6083
wtitsworth@atu.edu
These employees typically work Monday-Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. Reports may be made (including leaving messages during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or email address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator or any other official listed. In case of emergency or for immediate assistance, please dial 911.
ATU has also classified many employees as Responsible Employees. These employees are mandated to share any report or knowledge they have that a member of the ATU community is experiencing harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation with the Title IX Coordinator. Responsible Employees include the following:
Report to Law Enforcement
Arkansas Tech University
Public Safety: Russellville Campus
716 North El Paso Avenue
Russellville, AR 72801
911 or (479) 968-0222
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Arkansas Tech University
Public Safety: Ozark Campus
1700 Helberg Lane, Collegiate Career Center, Room 100C
Ozark, AR 72949
(479) 508-3359
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 am until 5 pm
Off-Campus
Russellville Police Department
115 West H Street
Russellville, AR 72801
911 or (479) 968-3232
Off-Campus
Ozark Police Department
2910 West Commercial
Ozark, AR 72949
911 or (479) 667-2238
Medical assistance can be obtained by dialing 911 or going directly to the hospital. Emergency Room staff at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville and Mercy Hospital in Ozark are equipped with the supplies necessary to collect and preserve forensic evidence (sometimes called a “rape kit”). Forensic evidence collection is paid for by the state of Arkansas if the exam is done within 96 hours of the assault. They are also able to treat any possible injuries, provide preventative treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and offer other health services.
Preservation of evidence in incidents of sexual assault is critical to potential criminal prosecution and to obtaining restraining orders, and particularly time-sensitive. Complainants should consider preserving evidence by taking the following actions:
Remember: You have 96 hours after the assault to have potential evidence collected. Just because you have evidence collected does not mean that you are required to pursue criminal charges or a Title IX complaint. Preservation of evidence does, however, keep the option open for you while you make your decision. Again, the state of Arkansas pays for exams performed within 96 hours of the assault. Click here for more information about medical assistance.
Whether you decide to report or not, ATU wants to ensure that you are supported. We urge you to speak about what happened with someone you trust who can support you emotionally and help you develop a plan. This person could be a friend, family member, pastor, mentor, advocate from the Ozark Rape Crisis Center, counselor in the Health and Wellness Center, or someone else who will be able to support you during this time.
Confidential counseling services are available through the ATU Health and Wellness Center in the Doc Bryan Student Services Center, Suite 119. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please contact the ATU Health and Wellness Center at (479) 968-0329. The following licensed counselors offer confidential counseling for students at Arkansas Tech:
Kristy Davis, kdavis51@atu.edu
Janis Taylor, jtaylor78@atu.edu
Leann Watson, lwatson12@atu.edu
Hunter Bramlitt, jbramlitt@atu.edu
Dillon Webster, dwebster@atu.edu
Other off-campus confidential resources include:
Ozark Rape Crisis Center (24/7): 1-800-818-1189 or https://www.ozarkrapecrisiscenter.org/
River Valley Shelter (24/7): (479) 968-3110 or https://www.rivervalleyshelter.org/
For additional and more detailed information related to options for ongoing assistance and reporting, please see the Equal Opportunity, Harassment (Sexual Misconduct), and Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedures here or located in Article III, Section F of the Student Code of Conduct located in the Student Handbook.
