Title IX Deputy Coordinator: Elma Bell, Human Resources Director; 3060 Wilson Road, SW, Birmingham, AL 35221; Phone: 205-929-6313; Email: ebell@lawsonstate.edu
TITLE IX SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures A. INTRODUCTION Lawson State Community College is committed to providing a workplace and campus community free of sexual misconduct and harassment. As required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities. This includes discrimination affecting employees of the college and applicants for employment, students and applicants for admission, or members of the public. All members of the College community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others, whether on college premises or at any College owned off campus location and while participating in any educational program or activity of the College. Sexual harassment, which includes sexual misconduct and sexual assault, is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Violence Against Women Act. This policy is intended to reaffirm the Colle ge’s commitment to address sexual harassment and take steps to prevent its reoccurrence and preserve or restore equal access to the College’s education programs and activities. Dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking may also be considered forms of sexual discrimination. Due to the seriousness of these offenses, the College has adopted specific policies and procedures, outlined in the Student Handbook, employment policies, and webpage, to address alleged instances of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. The College believes that no person should bear the effects of sexual harassment alone. When such conduct occurs, the College’s paramount concern is for the safety and well-being of those impacted. To support and assist students, the College provides a range of resources that include a trained counselor. Under Title IX, individuals reporting allegations related to sexual harassment and/or sexual violence, have the right to a resolution of their complaint, to have the college conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation, and to receive supportive measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the individuals involved and the college community. When allegations of sexual harassment and/or sexual violence in any form are brought to the attention of the Title IX Coordinator, and if a responding party is found to have violated this policy, serious sanctions will be used to prevent its reoccurrence. Lawson State Community College does not tolerate or condone retaliation. Individuals wishing to report reporting sexual harassment and/or sexual violence and/or to make inquiries concerning the application of Title IX at the College may contact: Title IX Coordinator: Cyrus Vance, Dean of Students; 3060 Wilson Road, SW, Birmingham, AL 35221 Email: cvance@lawsonstate.edu Phone: 205-929-6361
and/or
Assistant Secretary; U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights; Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100; Telephone: 800-421-3481; Fax: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877-8339 Email: OCT@ed.goc (mailto: OCR@ed.gov) Information regarding the Title IX Coordinator and their role will be provided to all faculty, staff, students, applicants for admissions, and applicants for employment. Also, this information is available on the College website at http://www.lawsonstate.edu under the Title IX webpage. POLICY The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that: “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.”
B. DEFINITIONS RELATING
TO
SEXUAL
HARASSMENT Many terms are used in the context of sexual harassment. The following will provide some common definitions and examples. Actual knowledge: The notice of sexual harassment or allegations of sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator or any official of the College who has authority to institute corrective measures of behalf of the College shall be deemed actual knowledge on the part of the College. Complainant: is an individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment. For the purposes of this procedure a Complainant may be an individual applying for admission or employment, an employee, a student or an individual otherwise participating in or attempting to participate in the College’s education programs and activities. Respondent: is an individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment. Formal complaint: is a document filed by the complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual harassment against a respondent and requesting that the College investigate the allegation of sexual harassment. Note: At the time of filing a formal complaint, a complainant must be participating in or attempting to participate in an educational program or activity of the College at which the formal complaint is filed.
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