TITLE IX AWARENESS
PRESENTATION
Casey Heckler; Title IX Coordinator
Shelley Preocanin; Title IX Deputy,
Title VII Coordinator
August 27, 2014
What is Title IX?
• A federal civil rights law that prohibits
discrimination on the basis of sex in federally
funded education programs and activities.
• Title IX applies to College programs and
activities, as related to both education and
employment
• The College is committed to providing an
environment free from sex discrimination,
including sexual harassment and sexual
violence.
Why are we here?
Dear Colleague Letter – April 4, 2011
- Issued by the Department of Education
- The National Institute of Justice found that about 1-5
women are victims of sexual assault while at college.
- The letter focuses on the school’s responsibility to respond
promptly and effectively to sexual violence against students.
- What the Dear Colleague letter failed to accomplish is to
make clear recommendations to educational institutions how
to implement a sexual harassment and violence program and
investigative process.
Why are we here…
“Not Alone” – The First Report of the White Task
Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault
(April 2014)
- This analysis and report clearly identified steps
to facilitate an appropriate response and
program to sexual assault claims.
- Future publications to be distributed in
upcoming months to outline further procedures
for campus climate surveys, training, and
prevention response.
Why are we here..
VAWA and the Campus SaVE Act
• On March 7, the Violence Against Women
Re-authorization Act of 2013 (VAWRA) was
enacted. The reauthorized Violence Against
Women Act (VAWA) includes the provisions of
a bill called the Campus Sexual Violence
Elimination Act (Campus SaVE Act).
Why are we here..
Clery Act
• The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus
Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act
requires colleges and universities that
participate in federal financial aid programs to
keep and disclose information about crime on
and near their respective campuses. The Clery
Act also includes rights that schools must
provide survivors of sexual assaults on campus.
Why are we here…
Diversity Survey
• Completed in 2013-14
• Focused on a variety of diversity issues
including a few questions regarding sexual
assaults on campus
• The US Government will be providing further
guidance regarding a more detailed climate
survey to be completed in the future.
Why are we here…
The College is now going to focus on increased
campus awareness and training. This will
include:
- A Title IX Resource located on MyHanover
with an additional link from Hanover.edu
- Title IX informational postings and brochures
- On-line Title IX and Harassment Training
Modules required for all Faculty, Staff &
Students
Non Discrimination Statement
Hanover College is committed to providing equal access to its
educational programs, activities, and facilities to all otherwise qualified
students without discrimination on the basis of race, national origin,
color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by
applicable state or federal law. An Equal Opportunity employer, the
College also affirms its commitment to nondiscrimination in its
employment policies and practices. In compliance with Title IX (20
U.S.C Sec. 1681 et seq.). Hanover College prohibits sex discrimination,
including sexual harassment.
For student related disability discrimination concerns, contact the
Disability Services Coordinator at 812-866-7215. Student concerns,
including any arising under Title IX, contact the Title IX Coordinator at
812-866-6740. Issues concerning faculty and staff should be
addressed to the Director of Human Resources, 812-866-7097.
Hanover Principles
Respect for One Another
• I will work to create a safe campus
community , free from unjust coercion,
harassment, and other threats to persons or
property.
• I will practice honesty toward, tolerance of,
and compassion for others, working to
support the well-being of other members of
the College community.
Hanover College Policies
Sexual Misconduct Policy
- A Student Life Policy that covers student-onstudent complaints
- Includes acts of:
• Voyeurism (ex. “Peeping Toms”)
• Sexual exploitation
• Sexual harassment
• Non consensual sexual contact and/or
intercourse
• Dating and sexual violence
• Stalking
Policies Continued…
Sexual Misconduct Policy:
• Sexual violence refers to the physical sexual acts
perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person
is incapable of giving consent.
• A number of different acts fall into this category
including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual
abuse, and sexual coercion.
• Sexual violence can be carried out by College
employees, other students, or third parties.
• All such acts of sexual violence are forms of sex
discrimination prohibited by Title IX
Policies Continued…
Harassment Policy:
Harassment is a form of discrimination which seriously
harms the Hanover community, can constitute a violation
of law, and is defined as follows:
• Acts which have the effect of harming, intimidating, or
humiliating an employee, or student member of the
community, through the use of physical force, the
threat of force, or verbal, visual, or physical abuse, on
the basis of race, color, religion, gender, marital status,
sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any
other characteristic protected by law.
Title IX Coordinators
Casey Hecker; Director of Residence Life
• Title IX Coordinator
• Reviews and investigate Title IX claims
involving student-on-student issues
Shelley Preocanin; Director of Human Resources
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator; Title VII Coordinator
• Reviews and investigates Title IX and VII claims
involving faculty, staff, and vendors
What are the Title IX Coordinator’s
Responsibilities?
• Their core responsibilities include overseeing
the College’s response to Title IX reports and
complaints and identifying and addressing any
pattern or systematic problems revealed by
such reports and complaints.
• The Title IX Coordinator must know the
requirements of Title IX, the College’s policies
and procedures on sex discrimination and of all
complaints raising Title IX issues throughout the
College.
Responsible Employees & Reporting
• A “responsible employee” is a College employee
who has the authority and duty to report
incidents of sexual violence or harassment, other
student misconduct, or who a student or
employee could reasonably believe has this
authority to do so.
• A responsible employee must report to the Title IX
Coordinator all relevant details about the alleged
sexual violence shared by the victim.
Responsible Employees & Reporting
Continued…
The following employees (or categories of
employees) are the College’s responsible
employees:
• All Faculty Members
• All Professional Staff Members of the
College
• All Coaching Staff
What happens if I report?
• It is the Title IX Coordinator’s responsibility to
investigate the initial complaint.
• Whether there has been a potential
violation of this policy will be determined on
a case-by-case basis and will depend upon
the specific facts and the context in which
the conduct occurs.
• The Coordinator will then refer the complaint
to the appropriate hearing board.
Privileged and Confidential
Communication
• Counseling service and pastoral care
• Health Services
Provide support, resources and options for reporting
through the College policies and legal system.
Professional services are required to maintain
confidentiality based on their designated
guidelines.
– Numbers are reported to Clery
What if I witness a potential violation?
By stander recommendation:
• Your responsibility is not to intervene but to
call for assistance
• Direct, Distract or & Delegate
(Based on your personal comfort level)
Resources
• MyHanover
– https://my.hanover.edu/ICS/Resources/Title_IX
/Resources__Assistance.jnz
• Not Alone
– https://www.notalone.gov/
Resources
Sexual Assault and
Violence Rights,
Options and Resources
What’s Next…Required Compliance
Will be rolling out the on-line training software
from Workplace Answers.
• You will be receiving email messages
regarding your participation status.
• Physical Plant Staff to be assisted through
the completion of training through scheduled
sessions in the computer lab.