College Sexual Misconduct Policy
The Virginia Community College System shall not tolerate sexual misconduct in any form. Sexual misconduct is a flagrant violation of the values and behavioral expectations for a college community and all reported violations shall be investigated. Sexual misconduct may be punishable through civil and criminal proceedings, as well as through college disciplinary processes.
An educational institution is a community of trust whose very existence depends on the recognition of each individual’s importance and value. This trust creates the freedom for each individual to live, think, act, and speak without fear of physical harm. Sexual misconduct shatters the bond of trust within a college community.
This policy shall apply to all employees and students of the Virginia Community College System.
Each public and private two- and four-year institutions of higher education physically located in the Commonwealth of Virginia must comply with Section 23 .1-407 Code of Virginia related to the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry, requiring institutions of higher education to transmit certain data to the Virginia State Police. This information is transmitted electronically and compared against the Virginia Criminal Information Network and National Crime Information Center Convicted Sexual Offender Registry.
In the event that the State Police determine that an applicant to Central Virginia Community College is listed on the Sex Offender Registry, the State Police will notify Central Virginia Community College via the College Police. The College will be notified as to the prospective student's name and the charge for which the prospective student was convicted.
Registered sex offenders planning to attend Central Virginia Community College shall email the Dean of Student Services at tat@centralvirginia.edu before initiating the admission process. The request will be taken to the Threat Assessment Team to determine if the prospective student will be allowed to enroll in classes. Prospective students may be denied admission if there is reason to believe that they present a danger to themselves, other students, faculty members and/or staff. The Dean of Student Services will notify the prospective student of the outcome within fourteen (14) calendar days of the decision. The prospective student may appeal the initial decision if denied admission to the college.
Workforce or Non-Credit students do not enroll in the same manner as students enrolling in credit (academic) classes and programs. Non-credits students have different requirements with the Virginia State Police compared to students enrolling in credit (academic) classes and programs. CVCC campus police created a different process to identify sexual offenders before they are allowed to take classes on campus. CVCC campus police receives a daily enrollment report from the workforce division and names of enrolled students are compared to the sexual offender website. If the name of an enrolled student is found on the list, the prospective or enrolled student is required to go through the same process as students enrolled in credit (academic) classes and programs.
If the applicant registers for classes before contacting the Dean of Student Services, Campus Police and/or notification from the State Police has occurred, the student will be immediately informed that he/she is being dropped from classes and will receive a refund.
- A prospective student or student may invoke his/her right to an appeal process.
When a convicted sex offender is denied admission or is administratively dropped from classes, he/she may invoke the following appeal process:
- The prospective or withdrawn student will receive a letter from the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs stating his/her denial of admission or administrative drop from classes.
- The prospective or withdrawn student may write a letter of appeal to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs within seven (7) calendar days in which he/she provides the following information:
- Disclosure of the nature of the offense for which he/she has been convicted;
- Justification for consideration of admission/readmission;
- Statement acknowledging his/her understanding that his/her identity and status as a convicted sex offender will be publicized on the college campus in accordance with federal and state law if he/she is admitted or reinstated.
The Threat Assessment Team (TAT) will review the information submitted and make a decision within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the letter of appeal. The Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs will inform the prospective student or student by letter of the decision of the TAT. The decision of the TAT will be final.
Approved by the President’s Cabinet on September 24, 2018.
The Virginia State Police are responsible for maintaining the registry.
Sex Offender Registry
In accordance to the "Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act" of 2000, which amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act, the Jeanne Clery Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, The Central Virginia Community College Police Department is providing a link to the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry. This act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement information provided by the State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a State to provide notice of each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries a vocation, or is a student. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, convicted sex offenders must register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry maintained by the Department of State Police.
The Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry (SOR) for VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS is available via the Internet pursuant to Section 19.2-390.1 of the Code of Virginia. Registry information provided under this section shall be used for the purposes of the administration of criminal justice, screening of current or prospective employees, volunteers or otherwise for the protection of the public in general and children in particular. Unlawful use of the information for purposes of intimidating or harassing another is prohibited and willful violation shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.