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“Consent” means a knowing, voluntary, and affirmatively communicated willingness to participate in a particular sexual activity or behavior. Only a person who has the ability and capacity to exercise free will and make a rational, reasonable judgment can give Consent. Consent may be expressed either by words and/or actions, as long as those words and/or actions create a mutually understandable agreement to engage in specific sexual activity. It is the responsibility of the person who wants to engage in sexual activity to ensure that they have consent from the other party, and that the other party is capable of providing Consent. 
  • Lack of protest or resistance is not consent. Nor may silence, in and of itself, be interpreted as Consent. For that reason, relying solely on non-verbal communication can lead to misunderstanding.  
  • Previous relationships, including past sexual relationships, do not imply Consent to future sexual acts.  
  • Consent to one form of sexual activity cannot automatically imply Consent to other forms of sexual activity.  
  • Consent must be present throughout sexual activity and may be withdrawn at any time. If there is confusion as to whether there is consent or whether prior consent has been withdrawn, it is essential that the participants stop the activity until the confusion is resolved.
  • Consent cannot be obtained by use of physical force, threats, intimidating behavior, or coercion. Coercion is pressuring another person into sexual activity.
     
    More information on Consent and other terms are found in the Sexual Misconduct Policy. 

Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures
Sexual Misconduct is a form of sex discrimination in violation of the University of Maryland Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures. This policy supersedes the “Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures” with respect to matters of sexual misconduct.
 
Student Sexual Misconduct Complaint Procedures   
These procedures accompany the University of Maryland Sexual Misconduct Policy and are the exclusive procedures that govern the handling of all reports or complaints of sexual misconduct against UMD students.
 
Staff Sexual Misconduct Complaint Procedures
These procedures accompany the University of Maryland Sexual Misconduct Policy and are the exclusive procedures that govern the handling of all reports or complaints of sexual misconduct against UMD staff.
 
Faculty Sexual Misconduct Complaint Procedures
These procedures accompany the University of Maryland Sexual Misconduct Policy and are the exclusive procedures that govern the handling of all reports or complaints of sexual misconduct against UMD faculty.
 
Sexual Misconduct Policy Summary of Key Provisions (English) 
A summary of key provisions made to the Sexual Misconduct Policy in English.
 
Sexual Misconduct Policy Summary of Key Provisions (Spanish)
A summary of key provisions made to the Sexual Misconduct Policy in Spanish.
 
Reporting Obligations for University Faculty and Staff

Preventing and Responding to Power-Based Violence

This guide, created by the University Health Center's Campus Advocates Respond and Educate (CARE) to Stop Violence Office, is intended to help students, faculty and staff learn about sexual and relationship violence, identify effective strategies for responding to a disclosure of violence, and become familiar with campus prevention and response resources.

go.umd.edu/PreventAndRespond 

 

Event Planning Toolkit

This event planning guide was developed by Campus Advocates Respond and Educate (CARE) to Stop Violence to assist you with planning and hosting successful, trauma-informed events and programs related to sexual & relationship violence.

View at: go.umd.edu/CAREEventPlanning

 

CARE to Stop Violence Newsletter and Materials

The CARE newsletter acts as a clearinghouse for announcements and information about CARE programs, upcoming events, bystander intervention, responding to disclosures, and more information about power-based violence prevention and response. The newsletter is distributed 1-2x per semester.

Sign up for the newsletter at: go.umd.edu/CARENewsletter 

View issues and other CARE materials at: go.umd.edu/CAREUMD

 

CARE  Campus Advocates Respond and Educate (CARE) to Stop Violence provides free, confidential advocacy and therapy services to primary and secondary survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment, while simultaneously empowering the campus community to prevent violence through educational presentations, events, and outreach activities.

OCRSM  The Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM) administers the University of Maryland's non-discrimination policies and works to foster a learning and working environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment, including sexual misconduct. Also known as the Title IX Office, OCRSM receives and responds to complaints of sexual misconduct, as well as other forms of discrimination.

Resident Life The Office of Rights and Responsibilities administers rules and adjudicative processes that serve three necessary goals: (1) maintain the safety and necessary order for an academic residence community, (2) determine accountability for prohibited behavior, and (3) to foster among students an understanding of their accountability as community members.

DFSL The Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life (DFSL) has expanded the scope of its Sexual Violence Prevention program to incorporate a variety of collaborations and support for students. This slate of programs is supported by a graduate assistant who is responsible for shepherding these programs, developing new initiatives, supporting collaborations with other campus offices and assessing the effectiveness of these programs.

Office of Student Conduct  The Office of Student Conduct proactively encourages safety by promoting and upholding the standards and integrity of the University of Maryland Community and resolves allegations of individual and organizational misconduct in a manner consistent with University core values.

Safety Exit

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About

The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and nearly 400,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus.

DO GOOD 

Introducing The Nation's First Do Good Campus Transforming Idealism into Impact 

Academics

Spanning 12 schools and colleges, Maryland offers more than 300 degree-granting programs, many of them ranked among the best in the country. Our faculty includes two Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 58 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. And our students, who include the highest achievers in the state and nation, enjoy experiences unique to our location just outside the nation’s capital, including internships, research, and leadership and service opportunities.

Schools and Colleges

Research and Innovation

The University of Maryland is one of the world’s premier research institutions. With our strategic location and scores of partnerships with government and businesses, UMD conducts groundbreaking research on some of the biggest challenges facing our global community, including cybersecurity and terrorism, bioengineering, public health equity, food safety and climate change. We strive to discover new knowledge and put it to work through innovation and entrepreneurship, advancing economic development and transforming lives. 

The newly launched Innovation Gateway will guide you to the resources, programs, partners, and spaces you need to activate and scale your fearless ideas into innovations that launch new ventures, catalyze growth, and advance economic development.

Arts

At the University of Maryland, the arts, the humanities and the sciences intersect to address important societal issues and shed new light on the human experience. Our vibrant campus arts community collaborates with local and national cultural organizations such as the Phillips Collection, Kennedy Center and Folger Shakespeare Library. Student and faculty artists, designers, historians, writers and performers are exploring new media, presenting new perspectives, investigating new techniques and engaging new audiences.

Events

Athletics

Home of the Terrapins, the University of Maryland has one of the nation’s most recognizable and successful athletics programs. More than 550 student-athletes compete each year in 20 intercollegiate sports—12 for women and eight for men. Since 2005 alone, Maryland has won 19 national championships, including NCAA titles in women’s basketball, men’s soccer, men's lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, and field hockey. Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 2014, UMD has won a combined 32 regular season and tournament championships. Fear the Turtle!

Student Life

The Terp experience extends beyond classrooms, labs and studios. It encompasses residence halls and dining halls, clubs and sports, fraternities and sororities, campus events and performances, and countless off-campus destinations. Maryland touts 800-plus student organizations, dozens of prestigious living and learning communities, and countless other ways to get involved. Students here can create a unique identity and grow as individuals, even as they’re part of a close-knit and diverse community. 

On Campus

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Summer Session

Keep Learning! Earn credits, satisfy a major requirement, and stay on track for graduation. Classes meet in person or online. Convenient 3 or 6-week sessions, May 28- August 16, 2024. Learn more at summer.umd.edu.

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News

Latest news at Maryland Today

For media releases visit UMD Right Now

Events

Explore events on the Campus Calendar

Terps are bold, smart, curious and proud. We do good, in our communities and out in the world. We are fearless. And we are always looking to expand our ranks. Interested in becoming a University of Maryland student? This is where to start.

 

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Give to Maryland

Giving back is a fearless Terp tradition, and there are many ways you can not only keep it alive, but also make an instant impact. 

M Circle on the University of Maryland campus

 

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Maryland Promise Students

Support the Clark Challenge for the Maryland Promise Scholarship and double your impact through the Clark Challenge.

 

Clark Challenge for the Maryland Promise