Title IX

What Is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs, including athletic programs, or activities that receive federal funding.

“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.”

Your Rights Under Title IX

Education Code Section 221.8

1. You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and you shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
2. You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics.
3. You have the right to inquire of the athletic director of your school as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
4. You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
5. You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all of the following:

• • Equipment and supplies.
  • Scheduling of games and practices.
  • Transportation and daily allowances.
  • Access to tutoring.
  • Locker rooms.
  • Practice and competitive facilities.
  • Medical and training facilities and services.
  • Publicity

1. You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.
2. You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.
3. You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Office of Civil Rights or the State Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.
4. You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
5. You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint.

For more information on your rights under Title IX please visit the following websites:

California Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

What is Sexual Misconduct?

Sexual Misconduct is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical contact of a sexual nature. Sexual Misconduct is conduct that explicitly or implicitly affects a person’s employment or education or interferes with a person’s work or educational performance or creates an environment such that a reasonable person would find the conduct intimidating, hostile, or offensive. 

Sexual Misconduct may include incidents between any members of the District community, including faculty, staff, students, student employees, volunteers, and non-student or non-employee participants in District programs. Sexual harassment may occur in hierarchical relationships, between peers or between individuals of the same sex.  

 Some examples of harassing behavior include, but are not limited to:

• Insults, name-calling, and offensive jokes;
• Intimidating words or actions;
• Unwelcome or inappropriate touching;
• Sexually suggestive remarks or gestures;
• Unsolicited pornographic materials;
• Obscene messages (via text or computer);
• Pressure for sexual activity or a date; and
• Sexual assault and rape.

Filing a Complaint / Reporting an Incident

The College has a strong interest in supporting victims and survivors of sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking and intimate partner violence and encourages all individuals or third party witnesses to report any incident to the College.

Making a report means telling someone in authority what happened — in person, by telephone, in writing or by email. At the time a report is made, a Complainant does not have to decide whether or not to request any particular course of action, nor does a Complainant need to know how to label what happened. Choosing to make a report, and deciding how to proceed after making the report, can be a process that unfolds over time. The College provides support that can assist each individual in making these important decisions, and to the extent legally possible will respect an individual’s autonomy in deciding how to proceed. In this process, the College will balance the individual’s interest with its obligation to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for all members of the College community.

Any individual who reports sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking or intimate partner violence can be assured that all reports will be investigated and resolved in a fair and impartial manner. A Complainant, a Respondent and all individuals involved can expect to be treated with dignity and respect. In every report under this policy, the College will make an immediate assessment of any risk of harm to the Complainant or to the broader campus community and will take steps necessary to address those risks. These steps will include interim measures to provide for the safety of the individual and the campus community.

Complainants and third-party witnesses are encouraged to report sexual harassment, sexual violence and intimate partner violence as soon as possible in order to maximize the College’s ability to respond promptly and effectively.  The College does not, however, limit the time frame for reporting. If the Respondent is not a member of the Shasta community, the College will still seek to meet its Title IX obligation by taking steps to end the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects, but its ability to take disciplinary action against the Respondent may be limited.

An incident does not have to occur on campus to be reported to the College.  Off-campus conduct that is likely to have a substantial effect on the Complainant’s on-campus life and activities or poses a threat or danger to members of the Shasta community may also be addressed under this policy.

To file a Title IX complaint/report online, use this link: Title IX Reporting Form
To file a Gender-Based or Protected Status Discrimination, Harassment, or Misconduct Complaint/Referral, use this link: Gender-Based or Protected Status Discrimination, Harassment, or Misconduct Reporting Form

For more information on how a Title IX complaint/report is investigated and how to further pursue a complaint, please use the following resources:

United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights

Contact Information:   Phone: (415) 486-5555
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Website

Lassen College Title IX Contacts

• Title IX Coordinator Kristin Gilman 530-251-8811 kgilman@lassencollege.edu
• HR Generalist Allison Lonergan (530) 251-8811 alonergan@lassencollege.edu
• Dean of Student Services Davis Murphy (530) 257-6181 Ext. 8890 dmurphy@lassencollege.edu
• Director of Athletics Will Freedman (530) 251-8816 wfreedman@lassencollege.edu