UM is committed to supporting student survivors of sexual misconduct (which under the UM policy includes student impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking). UM policies and Title IX legislation gives student survivors the right to seek assistance from the campus. This type of assistance could be changing classes, housing, or a work location, obtaining counseling, academic support and guidance or other remedies to enhance safety. Confidential advocates in the Violence Intervention and Prevention Services area can assist students with these remedies and accommodations. Detailed information about policies, response, resources, reporting, support and advocacy can be found at http://umsafe.olemiss.edu.
Student survivors of sexual violence sometimes face unanticipated or emergency expenses. As an additional way to support student survivors and contribute to their success, UM has established a fund intended to assist survivors who are experiencing financial impacts. Student survivors do not need to be engaged in an official reporting process to seek funds. Any of the offices listed below can forward a request for assistance to the fund on behalf of a student, but not all of the offices are confidential, so survivors who wish to ask for help but remain confidential should contact the VIP advocate.
The survivor fund can assist UM survivors by providing modest financial support to cover unexpected, short-term, emergency expenses (for example, immediate safety, healthy, or medical needs, and certain court filing fees for things like restraining orders). The fund is not intended to cover students’ regular ongoing expenses such as room and board or rent and food, and in most cases, it cannot cover tuition and fees. Students requesting assistance must be currently enrolled, or in between terms (summer and academic calendar breaks) at UM.
Requests for assistance can be discussed with a variety of UM staff members who work with survivors including VIP advocates, staff in the UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy area, staff in the Office of Equal Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance, University Counseling Center counselors, Psychological Services Center therapists, and the Student Health Center. These staff members can forward student requests for assistance to the Violence Intervention and Prevention Services area. The Violence Intervention and Prevention Services staff will review requests and determine whether the request can be granted. Requests that meet the above criteria can usually be process within a few days of receipt.
The fund is supported by donor contributions. In 2021 the Family Leadership Council pledged to support the fund through a generous one-time donation. Donations to the fund can be made by visiting the Violence Intervention and Prevention website at http://violenceprevention.olemiss.edu and clicking on the button “Support the Survivors Fund.”
Please see the form below if you are interested for financial assistance. You can scan, email, or print the form and give it to Shelli Poole in the Violence Intervention and Prevention office. Shelli Poole’s email is sapoole@olemiss.edu and her office is located at
The University of Mississippi
309 Longstreet
P.O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677-1848