Important Definitions

Consent

According to MU policy, consent to sexual activity is knowing and voluntary. Consent to sexual activity requires of all involved persons a conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. Each person engaged in the sexual activity must have met the legal age of consent. It is the responsibility of each person to ensure they have the consent of all others engaged in the sexual activity. Consent must be obtained at the time of the specific activity and can be withdrawn at any time. Consent, lack of consent, or withdrawal of consent may be communicated by words or non-verbal acts.

Someone who is incapacitated cannot consent. Silence or absence of resistance does not establish consent. The existence of a dating relationship or past sexual relations between the Parties involved should never by itself be assumed to be an indicator of consent. Further, consent to one form of sexual activity does not imply consent to other forms of sexual activity. Consent to engage in sexual activity with one person does not imply consent to engage in sexual activity with another. Coercion and force, or threat of either, invalidates consent.

Policies: CRR 600.010(B)(3) and CRR 600.020(B)(2)

Incapacitated or Incapacitation

According to MU policy, incapacitation is a state in which rational decision-making or the ability to consent is rendered impossible because of a person’s temporary or permanent physical or mental impairment, including but not limited to physical or mental impairment resulting from drugs or alcohol, disability, sleep, unconsciousness or illness. Consent does not exist when the Respondent knew or should have known of the other individual’s incapacitation. Incapacitation is determined based on the totality of the circumstances. Incapacitation is more than intoxication but intoxication can cause incapacitation.

Factors to consider in determining incapacity include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Lack of awareness of circumstances or surroundings (e.g., an inability to understand, either temporarily or permanently, the who, what, where, how and/or why of the circumstances; blackout state)
2. Inability to physically or verbally communicate coherently, particularly with regard to consent (e.g., slurred or incoherent speech)
3. Lack of full control over physical movements (e.g., difficulty walking or standing without stumbling or assistance)
4. Physical symptoms (e.g., vomiting or incontinence).

Policies: CRR 600.010(B)(4) and CRR 600.020(B)(3)