What is Title IX?
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 20 U.S.C. § 1681, June 23, 1972
What it means
If a school knows or reasonably should know about student-on-student harassment that creates a hostile environment, Title IX requires the school to take immediate action to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.
Southwestern’s commitment
Southwestern is committed to a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any college program or activity on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics or military status.
Southwestern has zero tolerance for –
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual assault
- Stalking
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
Anyone found participating in any of these behaviors may be subject to investigation and disciplinary action by the College and subject to Oregon State laws. This procedure and the related policies, procedures, and handbooks protect students, employees, unpaid interns, and volunteers in connection with all the academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs of Southwestern, whether those programs take place in the on campus or off campus at College sponsored locations. These policies and procedures also protect all students, employees, unpaid interns, and volunteers who are experiencing discrimination or harassment off campus where the off campus conduct is creating a hostile environment on campus or in any College program or activity.
APP 7165 Nondiscrimination and Nonharassment
Notice of New Title IX Policy and Procedure
AP 3433 Prohibition of Sexual Harassment Under Title IX
AP 3434 Responding to Sexual Harassment Title IX
Southwestern Oregon Community College has updated its Title IX policy and procedures to comply with the regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education in May of 2020. The regulations govern how the College must adjudicate sexual harassment as defined by Title IX. The regulations are effective August 14, 2020, and apply to students and employees.
If you are a student and need accommodations to successfully engage in reporting a Title IX issue, please contact the Accessible Education Office in Stensland Hall, room 107, 541-888-1578. The Accessible Education Office website is: Accessible Education
If you are an employee or volunteer and need accommodations to successfully engage in reporting a Title IX issue, please contact Human Resources at 541-888-7259.
Confidentiality
The Title IX Coordinator will consider how to proceed when individuals who request their name or other identifiable information not be shared with the respondent or that no formal action be taken. In such circumstances, the Title IX Coordinator may arrange for limited fact-finding by an investigator to better understand the context of the complaint. Southwestern has two Professional Counselors and a Privileged Advocate who are confidential advocates trained to explain an individuals’ options for reporting. Professional Counselors are defined as one whose only role is to provide mental health counseling. They are available during business hours. To schedule an appointment, please call 541.888.7405. Information shared with the Privileged Advocate is strictly confidential and does not prompt a formal report. The advocate is available during business hours. To schedule an appointment, please call the SAFE Project Advocate at 541-888-1048 ext.151. If after hours call 541-756-7000.
Retaliation
Retaliation can take many forms, including abuse or violence, threats, and intimidation. Southwestern prohibits any attempt to seek retribution against an individual or group of individuals involved in filling a report or complaint, participating in the disciplinary process, or opposing in a reasonable manner an action believed to constitute a violation of college policy.
Persons who make reports of discrimination, harassment or provide information related to such reports will be protected against retaliation. Southwestern will take all reasonable steps to protect the reporting party from further harassment or discrimination.