Reporting an Assault

MCC has a wide array of resources to assist you if you have experienced sexual or interpersonal misconduct.

Do not blame yourself and do not be afraid to ask for help. Only you can decide the best course of action for yourself. 

Counseling Services

MCC offers free counseling and information to students who have experienced sexual or interpersonal misconduct. Even if you do not choose to report the incident, this page provides information about where you locate information about resources. MCC Counselors are required to report sexual and interpersonal misconduct to the Title IX coordinator.

Rights and Responsibilities

Find out more about your rights and responsibilities once you enter the disciplinary process, whether you are filing the complaint or if you have been accused. 

Filing a Complaint with MCC

This page provides an explanation of the MCC’s official Student Code of Conduct violation disciplinary protocol. 

Filing a Criminal Report

If you choose to launch a formal investigation with the police, here is some guidance regarding how to begin the process.

MCC Counselors are available to help you compassionately navigate your options.

While every attempt is made to respect your privacy, MCC Counselors are obligated to report information that deals with physical safety and feeling respected on campus to the Title IX Coordinator (Dean of Students).   

If you are seeking confidential counseling, please look under the resources tab for outside agencies. For confidential reporting at MCC of a sexual assault, discrimination, harassment or other Title IX issues, contact Kim Fernandes at 816-604-1418.

MCC Counseling Offices Call 816-604-1000 and asked to be transferred to the Counseling Office of the campus you attend.  

• 816-604-1000
• Website: MCC Counseling Information
• Hours vary by location.

For Students

If you are a victim of sexual or interpersonal misconduct, you have the right to do the following:

• File a Code of Student Conduct complaint with MCC to seek disciplinary action.
• File a criminal complaint and take legal action. (Note: a criminal investigation is conducted separately from a Student Code of Conduct complaint investigation, though both may take place simultaneously.)
• Speak on a confidential basis with off-campus crisis centers and hotlines.
• Arrange for necessary changes to academic schedules, deadlines, campus jobs or leadership roles to ensure that you are removed from any potential hostile environments.
• Be informed of the final disciplinary finding (responsible or not responsible) from the Code of Student Conduct hearing and whether an appeal is filed.
• Refuse any/all of the above.

If you have been accused of sexual or interpersonal misconduct, you have a right to do the following:

• File a Code of Student Conduct complaint with MCC to seek disciplinary action.
• File a criminal complaint and take legal action. (Note: a criminal investigation is conducted separately from a Student Code of Conduct complaint investigation, though both may take place simultaneously.)
• Speak on a confidential basis with off-campus crisis centers and hotlines.
• Arrange for necessary changes to academic schedules, deadlines, campus jobs or leadership roles to ensure that you are removed from any potential hostile environments.
• Be informed of the final disciplinary finding (responsible or not responsible) from the Student Code of Conduct hearing and whether an appeal is filed.
• Refuse any/all of the above.

As part of the due process nature of the MCC’s proceedings, students who have been charged with violations of the Student Code of Conduct are guaranteed the following:

• A written or electronic notice of the charges, the location of copies of the Code of Student Conduct and the scheduled hearing. (Note: Students who fail to appear after proper notice will be considered to have accepted responsibility for the charges asserted against them.)
• A hearing during which the address the nature of the alleged incident and the basis for the charge, including the time, date and place where it is alleged to have occurred.

File a Code of Student Conduct Complaint*

The Title IX Coordinator(s) - (Deans of Students) and other relevant officials will determine if an emergency notification or timely warning should be issued.

MCC Police Department is responsible for the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. Students are encouraged to report all incidents of sexual or interpersonal misconduct directly to the police department so that the student can be connected with support resources and an investigation can begin. In addition to taking a statement and documentation, MCC’s Police Department also refers student to law enforcement and medical centers for off-campus support; however, the student has the right to decline this support and only pursue a complaint with MCC.

A No Contact Order (an order that forbids a student from having any form of contact— including but not limited to physical, written, verbal and/or electronic— with another student for a specific period of time) will be issued and explained to the complainant and the respondent, particularly emphasizing that the college has a policy against retaliation.

For confidential reporting of a sexual assault, discrimination, harassment or other Title IX issues, contact Kim Fernandes at 816.604.1418.

Note: Reporting an incident of sexual or interpersonal misconduct to MCC’s Police Department or any other of the offices listed above will result in anonymous data collection that will be included in the College’s Annual Security Report as required under the Jeanne Clery Act. This information will only include nature, date, time and general location of each crime, as well as the current status (or “disposition”) of the complaint within the College. In addition, any of the offices listed above may be obligated to report known names and facts of the incident to MCC’s Title IX Coordinator.

Within ten business days, after receiving notification of an alleged violation the Dean will request, in writing that the student arrange a meeting to discuss the allegations and potential disciplinary action.

* For a full text version of the Code of Student Conduct, go to the myMCCKC ”Info Exchange” for a link to District Policies. 

The Dean of Students or a designee will review referrals to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to charge a student with a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and to hold Code of Student Conduct proceedings. Complainants are required to provide information and evidence pertinent to the case.

The primary focus of the inquiry in Code of Student Conduct proceedings will be to determine if the respondent is responsible or not responsible for the alleged violation of the Code of Student Conduct and, if the student is found to be responsible for a violation, to impose sanctions.

In keeping with the purpose of the Code of Student Conduct, these proceedings are different from criminal and civil court proceedings. Formal rules of evidence will not be applicable, and the standard of preponderance of the evidence will be used. Deviations from the procedures outlined below may not necessarily invalidate decisions or proceedings. Because of the need to efficiently, effectively and promptly protect the academic environment under the College’s Title IX obligations, Code of Student Conduct proceedings will normally progress without regard to criminal or civil proceedings. Within ten business days of the meeting the Dean will provide written notification of the outcome of the case.

If the student decides to appeal the decision and request a hearing, complainants may be asked to appear before the hearing committee. A written appeal (typed or printed) may be presented to the Dean of Students on your campus if you wish to appeal the decision. Once a letter of appeal has been submitted, all sanctions levied by the Code of Student Conduct Hearing Committee will be deferred unless otherwise stated in the sanction letter.

Seek interim measures from MCC to ensure your safety and well-being.

In cases alleging sexual or interpersonal misconduct, the Dean of Students or a designee may coordinate interim measures, including, but not limited to, changes in academic or work accommodations, intended to ensure the well-being of the complainant, the respondent, the investigatory process and/or the college community while the complaint is being investigated and prior to the determination of the allegation.

Any interim measures taken will be designed and implemented in a manner intended to achieve the purpose stated above while at the same time limiting (to the extent possible) any adverse effect to the complainant’s or the respondent’s academic standing or progress.

Both the complainant and the respondent will have reasonable access to the evidence supporting the charge, upon request, prior to a Code of Student Conduct hearing.

The initial Code of Student Conduct hearing takes place.

Both the reporting and responding parties will have the opportunity to present evidence relevant to the alleged misconduct and to respond to the evidence against them, including the right to offer evidence and call appropriate fact (non-expert) witnesses.

Expert witnesses are not allowed. The Hearing Committee must be notified prior to the hearing that the student plans to provide witnesses or have legal counsel. Witnesses must have relevant knowledge and information pertaining to the case.

During the hearing, the Hearing Board will explain the MCC’s judicial system and student rights, and will also provide a copy of the Student Code of Conduct. The Hearing Board will also explain the quasi-confidential nature of the judicial process and the fact that the details discussed during hearing may become a part of the file relating to the case.

Hearings will generally be private except for the Hearing Committee, the student, the complainant, their advisors, and a witness giving testimony. Recording devices of any kind are not permitted for use by the students or witnesses.

Students subject to actual or potential criminal charges relating to conduct alleged in pending Code of Student Conduct proceedings, may assert their Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination during Code of Student Conduct proceedings. While no inference of responsibility for Code of Student Conduct violations will be drawn because of the assertion of the Fifth Amendment privilege, the Hearing Committee will nonetheless evaluate all the other evidence in reaching a final decision.

Hearing Committee makes a final decision.

Sanctions will be imposed if it is determined that the respondent is responsible for an asserted Code of Student Conduct violation. If the respondent is found not responsible, the charge will be dismissed. The burden of proof will be upon the complainant, who must establish the responsibility of the respondent following the preponderance of evidence standard.

The decision of the Hearing Committee will include a brief summary of the testimony, findings, decision and applicable sanction(s). The decision will be sufficiently detailed to permit review and appeal as provided in the Code of Student Conduct.

A student’s judicial history and record is cumulative; therefore, increased sanctions may be imposed to take into consideration the student’s complete record of all Code of Student Conduct violations, not just those that are similar to the case in question. Possible sanctions include, but are not limited to, disciplinary warnings, suspension or dismissal from MCC.

For compliance with Clery Act records retention requirements, all official judicial correspondence will be retained for a minimum of seven years.

Report an incident of sexual or interpersonal misconduct to the MCC Police Department, or directly to the Kansas City Police Department (or the applicable law enforcement agency).

If a student reports an incident of sexual or interpersonal misconduct to MCC’s Police Department, MCC law enforcement officials will assist you in filing an official report.

The student has the right to decline reporting to law enforcement; however, the student may choose to file at a later time. The student may choose to pursue a complaint through the College judicial process even if they decline to file a report with law enforcement.

MCC Police Department

• Phone: 816-604-1200
• Visit MCC Campus Safety
• Location: Each Campus 

Kansas City Police Department (KCPD)

• Phone: Dial 911 for emergencies
• Kansas City, MO Police Website
• Hours: Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week