Converse Cares
All members of the Converse community are encouraged to resolve conflicts directly with all parties involved in a given situation. Students are expected to speak openly with peers, faculty, and/or staff to address concerns and find solutions. However, there are times when circumstances warrant direct reporting to the appropriate source for resolution. Converse provides opportunities and processes for students to report incidents related to Honor, Civitas, Sexual Harassment, and any form of grievance that may emerge during the course of their experience. Reports are given directly to the appropriate area contact to advance investigations and reconciliation. http://www.converse.edu/life-at-converse/student-development-success/converse-cares/
Additional student grievance policies and procedures can be found in the Converse University Student Handbook: https://catalog.converse.edu/undergraduate-student-handbook-20242025
Converse University Sex & Gender Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedures
Note: The full policy can be found on My.Converse, as well as at Converse.edu: https://www.converse.edu/life-at-converse/campus-services/general-safety-tips/sexual-misconduct/.
This excerpt serves to provide basic information to Students, Faculty, and Staff. The full policy should be referenced for further information.
Important information for individuals who may be victims of sexual assault: If you or someone you know may have been a victim of sexual assault or any other type of sexual misconduct, you are encouraged to seek immediate assistance. Assistance can be obtained 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the Residence Director on call at 864.621.7114 or call Campus Safety at 864.596.9026.
For additional information about seeking medical assistance and emotional support, as well as important resource information, contact a member of the Wellness Center staff at 864.596.9258 or wellnesscenter@converse.edu.
During business hours, you also are encouraged to contact one of the following individuals:
Title IX Coordinator:
Danielle Stone, MUEd
Chief Inclusive Excellence Officer
864.596.9196
Danielle.stone@converse.edu
Location: Montgomery 202H Campus Representative 79
Title IX Deputy Coordinators:
Keshia Gilliam, PhD
Director of Human Resources
864.596.9029
keshia.gilliam@converse.edu
Location: Carnegie 204
Tori McLean Good, EdD
Director of Career Development and Employer Relations
864.596.9647
tori.good@converse.edu
Location: Wilson 352
Bias Support
Converse University values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives of our community members. By encouraging and celebrating these differences, we create an environment that promotes freedom of thought and academic excellence. Converse denounces bias-related conduct as a violation of the University Honor Code.
Bias-related incidents, including slurs based on racial or ethnic identity, faith tradition, gender expression/identity, sexual orientation, ability, and others, create a hostile educational, living and working environment, and such acts are not tolerated in our academic community.
To Report a Bias Incident:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc82hwRhg7gFM78kQdZ4IcPCHhM47iXSJTSYCff3Y 3voViQHA/viewform
Non-Discrimination Policy
Converse University is an independent, privately-supported institution committed to providing a high-quality education to qualified students regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law unless allowed by law and deemed necessary to the administration of the University’s educational programs or operations. This policy applies to all of the University’s operations, including but not limited to, the administration of all educational, athletic, financial, and employment activities. The University’s policies comply with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all other applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and guidelines. For more information, call the director of human resources: (864) 596-9029.
The Chaplain’s Office
The Office of the Chaplain provides programs and support to nurture the spiritual growth of Converse students, faculty, and staff within their own faith traditions and to promote awareness of various religious and non-religious expressions. Through fellowship, prayer, outreach, study, and worship, members of the Converse community can deepen their understanding of spirituality and service. This integration of personal reflection and social action leads to the fulfillment of the Converse University Founder’s Ideal to “see clearly, to act justly, and be faithful to God and humanity.”
Learning about different Christian denominations and other religious traditions helps students to affirm what they already believe and enables them to relate to people from diverse backgrounds with respect. The University is committed to assisting students in developing these interpersonal skills, which are essential for living and working productively in our global society. This commitment stems from the Founder’s Ideal, which states that Dexter Edgar Converse wished for the university to be “liberally and tolerantly Christian.”
For specific information or questions about services, programs, and local places of worship, students are asked to contact the Chaplain at 864-596-9078 or to visit the Chaplain’s Office in the Montgomery Student Center (Montgomery 201A).
Confidentiality and Prohibition Against Retaliation
This procedure is intended to support a culture of open communication within the Department of Athletics and to provide student-athletes with the tools to engage in proactive conflict resolution around unique issues that may arise as a part of the student-athlete experience. The university will maintain information disclosed or collected pursuant to a grievance filed under these procedures as private and confidential pursuant to university policies regarding student and employee records and applicable laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Information maintained by the university under these procedures, which may include the names of parties and witnesses, will remain confidential and will only be shared based on what is allowable under university policy (for example, information may be shared with those who have a legitimate educational need to access this information to resolve and address the matter and implement remedies). The university prohibits retaliation by any member of the university community (students or employees) against any individual who participates in this grievance procedure, including but not limited to anyone who files a grievance or provides information as a part of the grievance process. Retaliation is an adverse action or threat of adverse action taken against an individual for reporting or participating in any grievance or resolution process that would dissuade a reasonable person from engaging or participating in any process under this procedure. Any individual who is engaging under this procedure and believes they are experiencing retaliation should report the issue immediately.
The Wellness Center
The Wellness Center promotes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being of the campus community by providing an innovative, effective, and holistic array of services and programs. We provide these services in a caring, supportive, and compassionate environment in which the diverse social, religious, and cultural identities of the members of our campus community are respected, valued, and affirmed. At the Wellness Center, students can find resources for self-awareness, medical issues, relaxation, stress management, sexual health, and interpersonal relationships. The Center is located on the first floor of Andrews Hall at the rear of the building and offers regular office hours Monday through Friday. (Availability may be limited during summer and times when the University is closed.) Students can make appointments or find out more information by calling the Wellness Center at 596-9258 or emailing: wellnesscenter@converse.edu.
Nothing herein is intended to discourage a student‐athlete from seeking advice and guidance from any member of the Athletic Department.
From the Converse University Student Handbook
The Converse University community discourages all acts that violate the well-being of our environment. Violations include but are not limited to unwelcome behavior which questions, nags, pesters, and/or harasses others for information, disrespect for authority; lewd and vulgar language expression and behaviors; vandalism; harassment; bullying/ hazing; assault; and violation of the consensual relationships policy.
Assault is defined as an attempt, made with force or violence, to do harm to another person. Violations include but are not limited to pushing, striking, or physically attacking any member of the faculty, staff, student body, or guests of members of the community.
Consensual Relationships: In their relationships with students, members of the faculty and staff at Converse are expected to be aware of their professional responsibilities. Sexual relations (which include contact of a sexual nature) or requests for sexual relations between students and faculty/ staff members are fraught with the potential for exploitation and must be avoided and prohibited. All faculty and staff at Converse in violation of this policy may lead to disciplinary action by the University, up to and including termination.
Harassment disrupts the environment the University seeks to maintain. The University is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment that is free from harassment. The University does not approve of harassment of any type within the workplace and will not tolerate the harassment of its employees or students by anyone, including faculty, staff, managers, administrators, customers, vendors, or students. Harassment consists of unwelcome conduct that is based upon an individual’s protected status such as race, color, religion, genetic information, sex, pregnancy, national origin citizenship, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. While all forms of unlawful harassment are prohibited, sexual harassment deserves special attention. (SEE CONVERSE TITLE IX POLICY)
Hazing encompasses any activity or activities which do not contribute to the positive development of an individual or which cause fear, intimidation, physical exhaustion, mental or physical discomfort or anxieties, human degradation, public humiliation, or public embarrassment. No organization or student may participate in the activity of hazing on the Converse University campus or at any off-campus location. Hazing is forbidden by the laws of the State of South Carolina. The following shall not constitute a defense against hazing: that participants took part voluntarily, that participants voluntarily assumed the risks or hardships of the activity, or that no injury was suffered.
Faculty, staff and students may submit complaints involving harassing behavior at the Converse Cares webpage: http://www.converse.edu/student-life/converse-cares
Disclaimer: If a student-athlete is involved in any of the above activities or any other inappropriate activities on campus, the information will be reported to the Athletics Department