OFFICE OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY | Student Affairs Resource Administrators (SARAs) are trained members of the Student Affairs team. SARAs are assigned to students when the University receives a report of sexual or interpersonal misconduct, regardless of whether the student chooses to bring the case through the conduct process.
What is a SARA?
Student Affairs Resource Administrators (SARAs) are trained members of the Student Affairs team. The SARAs’ primary role for students is to identify university and community resources that may benefit them.
A SARA can also work with a student to ensure that they understand the conduct process and the investigation process.
Most importantly, a SARA will work with a student to assist with supportive measures that might be helpful. A supportive measure may be an action taken by the University that provides additional support for a student who has either reported sexual or interpersonal misconduct or is in the midst of a related conduct matter. Supportive measures can be related to housing, academics, on-campus employment or transportation. For example, if you share a residence hall, class or work placement with the other student involved, accommodations can be made.
Who gets assigned a SARA?
A SARA is assigned when the University receives a report of sexual or interpersonal misconduct regardless of whether the student chooses to file a formal complaint or go through the conduct process. In instances where either a formal complaint is filed or the student chooses to go through the LMU SIM conduct process, both the student who experiences misconduct and the student who allegedly perpetrates misconduct (both Complainants and Respondents) will be assigned a SARA.
What should I expect from my SARA?
- A SARA will assist you in identifying and accessing resources.
- A SARA will reach out to you via email and/or phone to schedule an appointment.
- A SARA reviews available supportive measures including: academic (do you have concerns about classes or would you like your faculty notified?), residential (do you have concerns about where you are living?), transportation (would you like an escort from Public Safety?) and work (do you have concerns about where you work on campus?).
- A SARA provides a list of on campus and off campus resources.
- A SARA explains the conduct process, including information about privacy and retaliation.
- A SARA will help you identify a university-appointed Advisor.
- A SARA reaffirms that no contact is permitted between Complainant and Respondent(s) and that a university No Contact Order remains in place while also advising you of the option to seek orders of protection, no contact orders and restraining orders issued by California state courts.
What will my SARA expect from me?
You do not have to respond to your SARA’s outreach, but it is helpful for them to know if you would like to meet in person, meet via Zoom, speak by phone or communicate via email. It is also ok to respond to let them know you do not need any support or resources at that time. If you change your mind, you can reach out to your SARA at a later point in time.