Sexual Harassment Policy
It is the policy of Vernon College to provide an environment free from implicit and explicit sexual behavior used to control, influence, or adversely affect the well-being of any member of the College community. Harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sexual harassment of any individual is inappropriate and unacceptable and is grounds for disciplinary action.
Definition of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when one of the following criteria is met:
1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of the individual status in a program, course, or activity; or
2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for academic decision or other decision affecting that individual; or
3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or living environment.
Sexual harassment encompasses any sexual attention that is unwanted and can take many forms, but most sexual harassment falls into three categories: verbal, visual, and physical, and includes expression through electronic means. Examples of sexual harassment range from sexually suggestive remarks, gestures and jokes, to the display of offensive sexual pictures or photos. Other behaviors considered sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, offensive or negative comments about a person’s gender and/or physical appearance; unwelcome touching; standing close to or cornering a person; unwelcome pressure for dates or sex; and spreading rumors about a person’s sexual activity.
VERNON COLLEGE TITLE IX POLICY
Vernon College strives to foster a safe and healthy learning culture. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits discrimination based on the gender of students and employees of educational institutions which receive federal financial assistance. Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault.
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…”
Vernon College’s Sexual Assault Policy and Procedures prohibits sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking, dating and domestic violence. Additionally, the College prohibits retaliation against any individual who brings a good faith complaint under the policy, participates in the resolution process, or assists as a bystander to prevent sexual misconduct of any kind.
Reports may be made anonymously or in person, by email, phone or mail to:
Vernon College Title IX Coordinator
Jackie Polk
Director of Human Resources
4400 College Drive
Osborne Administration Building
Vernon, Texas 76384
940-552-6291
jpolk@vernoncollege.edu
Vernon College Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Kristin Harris
Dean of Student Services
4400 College Drive
Osborne Administrative Building
Vernon, Texas 76384
940-552-6291
kharris@vernoncollege.edu
Confidentiality: The College understands the confidential and private nature of reports of sexual misconduct. Upon receiving notice of an incident, or a complaint, the College will take all steps necessary to protect the privacy of the parties, but may, at some point, be required to disclose matters to certain College employees, outside parties or agencies.
Approved by the Vernon College Board of Trustees April 10, 2019
For more information regarding Title IX we encourage you to visit the Title IX portion of the Vernon Website at https://www.vernoncollege.edu/title-ix or the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html