WHO DOES THE CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCE ADVISOR SUPPORT?

The Confidential Resource Advisor (CRA) serves as a confidential resource for members of the Northeastern University community who:

  • Are or have been accused of causing sexual or identity-based harm,
  • Are supporting a peer who has been accused or found responsible for causing harm,
  • Are currently in an investigation/adjudication process,
  • Have been found responsible for causing harm, or
  • Want to learn more around discrimination-based harm.

WHAT DOES THE CRA PROVIDE?

The Confidential Resource Advisor provides free, confidential*, non-judgmental, restorative and trauma-informed services. They will listen to your concerns, provide information about relevant university policies and resources, gather additional information if needed, help you evaluate your situation, and at your request and as appropriate, they may contact offices or departments to seek additional information for clarification to better understand the nature of the complaint or situation. They can also assist to facilitate interim remedies available (i.e., No-contact orders, housing changes, academic support) and provide on and off campus counseling and resources. 

The Confidential Resource Advisor will not tell you what you should or should not do; instead, they will provide information and resources for you to explore what next steps would best support you and/or your peer(s).

All Northeastern University community members have the right to access resources and services. Phone translation services are available in over 200 languages including ASL. The CRA will work to accommodate any other accessibility needs.  

WHAT DOES “CONFIDENTIAL” INCLUDE?

Any information disclosed to the Confidential Resource Advisor will not be reported to Office for University Equity and Compliance (Title IX), the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, or any other campus office. Exemptions to this include:

  1. When they are given permission to share information by the person who disclosed it;
  2. When there is an imminent threat of harm to self or others;
  3. When the conduct involves suspected abuse of a minor under the age of 18 or of an elder;
  4. When otherwise required by law or court order.

Most faculty and staff are considered “responsible employees” meaning that they are obligated to notify the Title IX Coordinator if they are made aware of an incident of sexual violence.

In addition to the CRA, the following offices are designated as confidential and do not have this reporting obligation:

  • Center for Spirituality Dialogue & Service
  • The Office of Prevention and Education
  • University Health & Counseling Services
  • The Sexual Violence Resource Center

Who is the CRA for Northeastern?

Kyla Martin (she/her/hers) currently serves as the Confidential Resource Advisor for Northeastern. She is committed and passionate about students feeling supported through university processes and helping them understand their rights and options. 

Kyla is a graduate of Macalester College with a B.A. in Mathematics, earned a M.S. in College Student Development and Counseling from Northeastern University, holds a graduate certificate in Restorative Practices from the International Institute for Restorative Practices, and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Leadership and Human Resource Development at Louisiana State University. 

Kyla has worked at 15 different institutions of Higher Education in various functional areas through assistantships, internships, as well as full and part time employment. In previous positions, she has served both complaints and respondents of discrimination cases to support them through the investigation and adjudication process or to provide information and resources. 

In her free time, she enjoys baking, playing golf, and spending time with her puppy.

HOW TO ACCESS THE CRA?

The CRA is accessible virtually through phone, email, and video calls. To set up an appointment, email the CRA directly at, cra@northeastern.edu. The CRA will be monitoring emails during business hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm EST though she is happy to schedule meetings outside those times as needed to accommodate schedules.

You can access a printable PDF of the information on this webpage here.