Reporting Options

Office for Gender Equity

Any member of the Bard community, guest, or visitor,

who believes they have been subjected to gender-based misconduct is encouraged to seek support and assistance through at least one of the resources listed below.

Please be aware that:

Some resources can maintain your confidentiality without any obligation to share your information.
Other resources are there for you to report crimes and policy violations. These resources may have obligations to act when you make a report.
Some employees of the College, such as faculty, administrators, professional staff, and Peer Counselors, are obligated to relay gender-based misconduct reports to the Title IX Coordinator, but they will still maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible.
If you are unsure of someone’s duties and ability maintain your information confidentiality, ask them before you talk to them.

Reporting to Confidential Resources

What is a Confidential Resource?

Confidential resources are not required by law or College policy to relay reports of gender-based misconduct to the Bard College Title IX Coordinator. Information provided to the resources listed below will not be disclosed without stated permission, except in extreme circumstances, such as a health or safety emergency.
On-Campus Contacts
- Counseling Services: 845-758-7433
- Health Services: 845-758-7433
- Chaplaincy: 845-758-7335
- Employee Assistance Program: 800-272-7255
- BRAVE (Ask for a BRAVE Counselor): 845-758-7777
Off-Campus Contacts
- Rape Crisis Center: 845-452-7272
- Domestic Violence: 845-485-5550
- Grace Smith House: 845-471-3033
- LGBTQ Antiviolence Project: 212-714-1141
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network): 800-656-4673
- National Domestic Violence: 800-799-7233

Reporting to Private, Non-Confidential Resources at Bard

What is a Non-Confidential Resource?

Any member of the community who wishes to file a report of gender-based misconduct with the College may do so by contacting the Title IX Coordinator, who can provide information regarding the College’s investigation process, policies, resources, accommodations, institutional rights, reporting to law enforcement, and orders of protection through the court system. Information shared with the Title IX Coordinator will be relayed only as necessary to investigate and/or seek a resolution.
Contacting the Title IX Office
Kimberly I. Gould, J.D.
Title IX Coordinator
may be reached:
- by phone (845-758-7542);
- by email (titleix@bard.edu);
- in person at Gahagan House 201; or
- through the Title IX Reporting Form.
Reports may also be made to Human Resources by phone (845-758-7428) or email (hr@bard.edu).
Other Contacts

Any person who feels uncomfortable or otherwise unable to file a complaint through the Title IX Coordinator or Human Resources may make a report via the Misconduct Reporting Line (888-323-4198). This line is administered by an external entity hired by the College to receive reports on a non-confidential basis.

Criminal Reporting

Individuals have the right to decide whether to file or decline to file a report with the New York State Police or the local law enforcement agency where the misconduct occurred. Individuals may participate in a criminal process, College process, both, or neither. The Title IX Coordinator and other campus authorities are available to assist individuals in reporting to law enforcement.

To file a criminal report, individuals may contact the following, and/or any other appropriate law enforcement agency:

New York State Police: 845-876-4194
New York State Police Campus Sexual Assault Victims Unit: 844-845-7269
Red Hook Police: 845-758-0060

Other Reporting Resources

Preserving Evidence

The College encourages all individuals to preserve evidence relating to reports of gender-based misconduct. Evidence may be important for an investigation under this policy, for supporting a criminal investigation or prosecution, or in obtaining an Order of Protection or an equivalent protective or restraining order. Examples of evidence may include text messages, emails, social media communications, phone records, photographs, documents, clothing, bedding, and medical information.

Individuals who have experienced a recent sexual assault or act of physical violence are encouraged to seek medical care. In addition, individuals should consider seeking a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (“SAFE Exam”) at a local hospital, which includes assessment and treatment of injury, addressing concerns of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and collection of evidence. SAFE Exams are free, and free transportation can be arranged by contacting the Title IX Coordinator, Security, other College administrators, or BRAVE. In New York, individuals may undergo a SAFE Exam without making a report to law enforcement. It is important not to bathe, wash, douche, smoke, change clothing, or brush one’s teeth prior to the examination. If possible, it also best not to take fluids or use the bathroom before the examination. For purposes of evidence collection, the SAFE Exam should be conducted within 96 hours of an incident. If individuals do not opt for forensic evidence collection, health care providers can still treat injuries and take steps to address concerns of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections. BRAVE counselors (845-758-7777; ask for BRAVE) and the Rape/Sexual Assault Hotline (845-452-7272) can assist with access to this free medical examination and be an advocate to provide support and accompany you to the hospital. In addition, the Title IX Coordinator, Security, and other College administrators can assist with accessing a SAFE Exam.

As time passes, evidence may dissipate or become lost or unavailable, thereby making investigation, possible prosecution, disciplinary proceedings, or obtaining protective or restraining orders related to an incident more difficult. If a reporting individual chooses not to make a complaint regarding an incident, they nevertheless should consider preserving evidence and/or speaking with security, law enforcement, or the Title IX Coordinator regarding the preservation of evidence in the event that the reporting individual decides to report the incident to law enforcement or the College at a later date.