Western Michigan University has new sexual assault policy

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Western Michigan University has a new policy designed to make it easier for students and staff to report cases of sexual assault.

WOOD-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1urGqiU ) the Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking Interim Policy and Procedures were put in place this month.

The policy will be finalized following feedback from students, faculty and staff. An online site for input has been set up.

Under the new policy, reports of sexual misconduct and investigations into those reports will be handled by the Office of Institutional Equity. The investigations into violations of the Kalamazoo school's policy will be separate from police investigations conducted.

Western Michigan says it was working on the policy before a federal investigation into violations of Title IX at schools nationwide.

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Online:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WesternMich_TitleIX

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Information from: WOOD-TV, http://www.woodtv.com