What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that provides: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” This law provides multiple protections for individuals to work to provide a safe and equitable learning environment free from gender based discrimination.
What does Title IX cover?
Title IX provides protection from discrimination based on sex in ANY educational program. If you feel you are being discriminated against based on your gender and you wish to talk to someone about it, please contact any member of the Title IX team.
Title IX also protects from other discriminatory practices as well including:
- Dating Violence
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Assault
- Sex Harassment
- Sexual Violence/Non-consent
- Stalking
For more information on Title IX, please see the Department of Education’s Website at:
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/tix_dis.html
How can I report a Title IX issue?
If you believe you or someone else has been a victim of a crime, you are encouraged to contact the police. If you believe you have information on a Title IX concern and wish to file a complaint with the college, you are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator to obtain information about the investigation process and ensure you have the necessary support. Note that any Title IX issue reported to the designated college employees below also constitutes notice and will require is reported to the Title IX Coordinator as well:
- President
- Vice Presidents
- Deans (of academic programs and of students)
- College Title IX Coordinator and Designees
- Housing/Residence Life Staff to include: Directors, Managers, Assistant Directors, Community Coordinators, Senior Residence Hall Advisors, Residence Hall Advisors
- Coaches and Assistant Coaches
- Campus Security: 402-375-7216
Who can report a Title IX concern?
Faculty, staff, students, visitors, or non-members of the community.
If I report something, will it be kept confidential?
The college appreciates the privacy concerns inherent in allegations of sexual violence or sex harassment and will give serious consideration to a request for confidentiality. If the alleged victim requests confidentiality, asks that the report not be pursued, or declines to participate in an investigation or disciplinary proceeding, the college will document the request. The college will take reasonable steps to investigate and respond to reports consistent with such a request, if possible. Requests will be evaluated and weighed against the college’s responsibility to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment. Please note that Counseling, Student Health, and Athletic Training professionals provide a free and safe environment to talk to regarding your concerns and are not mandatory reporters in filing complaints regarding Title IX.
How will the College respond to a report?
The college has a responsibility to respond to reports of sexual violence or sex harassment and attend to the needs of all students who are involved. Reports of sexual violence and sex harassment are taken with the utmost seriousness, and the student(s) will be promptly referred to the appropriate persons or resources for assistance. The college is also responsible to ensure that the individual charged with committing such violence or harassment is treated fairly. Individuals are presumed innocent unless proven responsible, and will also be referred to appropriate services for assistance. For more information on the step-by-step investigation process, please review our reporting policies and procedures section.
While an investigation is ongoing, what immediate remedies are available to me?
During the investigation, the college will take reasonable steps to provide an equitable and safe environment should they be necessary. Possible remedies include and are not limited to:
- No Contact Orders between individuals
- Changes in academic arrangements
- Changes in living arrangements
- Changes to work schedules
- List of supportive resources available within the college and outside support organizations
If I file a complaint against someone, what will happen to them?
Students who are found to be responsible for a Title IX violation will be referred through the student code of conduct process printed in the Wayne State Student Handbook that is consistent with Nebraska State College System policy 3100 and 3200. If the alleged perpetrator is an employee, other board policies or collective bargaining agreements will determine the due process steps and disciplinary consequences. During the impartial investigation process, both parties will have an opportunity to receive periodic updates and present witnesses and other evidence, as necessary. Should the incident become a discipline matter, the complaining party will have a right to know the outcome, including sanctions of the responding party.
How long will an investigation take?
Title IX investigations can be complex or straight forward, which can create variations with the timeline. As a result it is not possible to create a strict timeline for every case. The college is committed to a complete and impartial investigation of reports of Title IX related issues. The college will strive to conclude an investigation within 60 calendar days from when the College has received official notice from a complaining party and an investigation is formally launched.
Retaliation for filing a report concerns me, what should I do?
Title IX prohibits retaliation for reporting parties and any individuals participating in an investigation. The college will not only take steps to prevent retaliation but will also take strong responsive action if it occurs. If you believe you are experiencing retaliation for filing a report, please contact the Title IX coordinator immediately.
Who is the national entity that oversees Title IX Compliance?
If you have questions about Title IX compliance and want to know more information about the laws surrounding it, you can contact:
Kansas City Office
Office for Civil Rights
US Department of Education
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut St, 3rd floor, Suite 320
Kansas, City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-268-0550
Email: [email protected]