Bellin College is committed to maintaining a living, working, and educational environment free from sexual harassment, sexual violence, and sexual discrimination. It is the policy of Bellin College to comply with Title IX. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded educational programs and activities. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in all College programs and activities including, but not limited to recruiting, admissions, financial aid, academic programs, student services, counseling, discipline, roster assignment, grading, and employment.
The modern concept of “sex” has evolved and represents a cultural shift. “Sex” for Title IX purposes includes biological or anatomical factors; actual or perceived gender identity; and actual or perceived sexual orientation. Sexual discrimination includes acts of sexual harassment. The US Departments of Education and Justice define sexual harassment as misconduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following conditions: Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine to be so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school's education program or activity; sexual assault, as defined in the Clery Act, or dating violence, domestic violence or stalking as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); a school employee conditioning education benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo). Only one of the three conditions listed must be met for the conduct to be considered sexual harassment.
The federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) amendments and accompanying regulations clarify the duties of colleges to investigate and respond to reports of sexual assault, stalking, and dating and domestic violence, and to publish policies and procedures related to the handling of these cases. Under VAWA, colleges and universities also must provide training to the campus communities on sexual misconduct. Compliance with VAWA is a condition for colleges, like Bellin, that participate in the federal student aid program, and is administered by the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Office. New VAWA regulations were published by the U.S. Department of Education in October 2014 and became effective July 1, 2015.
Students, staff, and faculty who become aware of conduct that might violate these policies are urged to promptly report the conduct. When the sexual harassment creates a hostile environment, the College must address the issue. The US Departments of Education and Justice define hostile environment as an occurrence where “a student is sexually harassed and the harassing conduct is sufficiently serious to deny or limit the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the program”.
The US Department of Education defines sexual violence as “physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent, for example, due to the use of drugs or alcohol; or disability preventing a student from having the capacity to give consent”. Sexual violence includes rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual coercion. Sexual violence can be carried out by school employees, other students, or third parties (US Dept. of Ed. Office for Civil Rights, 2014).
Title IX prohibits retaliation against people for making or participating in complaints of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and/or sexual violence. Bellin College prohibits retaliation against anyone for making a complaint, for assisting someone else in making such a complaint, or for participating in an investigation.
Vendors, independent contractors, and other outside parties who conduct business with the College through affiliation and other agreements will be expected to comply with this policy as well, as specified by the terms of any contract or agreement between the College and such third party.
Bellin College has designated a Title IX Coordinator, two Deputy Title IX Coordinators and a Title IX Advocate who will address complaints of Title IX violations.
TITLE IX TEAM:
Vice President of Student Affairs, Enrollment, and DEI– Title IX Coordinator
Campus Life Coordinator – Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Campus Safety and Security Coordinator – Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Director of Outreach and Engagement – Title IX Official With Authority
Academic Success Coordinator – Confidential Help
Academic Advisor – Confidential Help