Title IX Policy and Procedures

Title IX Law

“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.” Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Implementing Regulations at: 20 U.S.C § 1681 & 34 C.F.R. Part 106

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against students and employees of educational institutions.

The regulations implementing Title IX are enforced by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and prohibit discrimination, exclusion, denial, limitation, or separation based on gender. Intended to end sex discrimination in all areas of education for Civil Rights.

The U.S. Department of Education Office For Civil Rights provides guidelines to ensure that schools take effective steps to respond to sexual violence in accordance with the requirements of Title IX.

It is the policy of Keystone College, in accordance with federal and state law, to prohibit unlawful discrimination.

All complaints of harassment or discrimination will be investigated in a manner that is prompt, adequate, and impartial. You can also remain anonymous.

Students, employees, or third parties who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment, including sexual violence/assault, by a student or employee of the Keystone College community or by another individual for whom the College is or may be responsible (e.g., applicants for admission or employment, alumni, in-dependent contractors, vendors, recruiters) should contact one of the following persons for assistance with re-solving a complaint.

Student Complaints:

• Emily Decker
  Deputy Title IX Coordinator
  570-945-8987
  Emily.Decker@keystone.edu

Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Harassment

What behaviors are prohibited by Title IX?

Sexual harassment (which includes sexual violence and assault) is a form of sex discrimination and, therefore, is a violation of Title IX. Specific behaviors that are prohibited by Title IX include rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of nonconsensual sexual activity; stalking; and relationship violence. Many behaviors that violate Title IX also constitute crimes.

What is Keystone College’s harassment policy?

Harassment in any form, whether based on race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification, is unacceptable on the Keystone College campus.

For purposes of this policy harassment means unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct based on a protected classification (race, color, sex, disability, etc.) that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably inter-fering with an individual’s work or education (including living conditions, extracurricular activities, and social life), creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment, or constituting a threat to an individual’s personal safety. Sexual harassment includes sexual violence/assault.

What is the definition of sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of interfering with one’s academic or work performance or social world by creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or violent environment. Sexual violence/assault is also considered sexual harassment.

Examples:

• Pressure for sexual activity
• Sexually explicit questions
• Unwelcome touching, hugging, stroking, squeezing
• Sexual ridicule
• Attempted or actual sexual violence
• Pervasive displays of pictures, calendars, cartoons, or other materials with sexually explicit or graphic content
• Sexual innuendos and comments
• Requests for sexual favors
• Spreading rumors about a person’s sexuality
• Displaying or sending sexually suggestive electronic content including but not limited to emails, text messages, etc.
• Stalking a person
• These examples are not all-inclusive of the types of situations that may constitute sexual harassment.

Do students have rights under Title IX?

Students’ Bill of Rights
All students have the right to:

• Make a report to local law enforcement and/or state police;
• Have disclosures of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault taken seriously;
• Make a decision about whether or not to disclose a crime or violation and participate in the judicial or conduct process and/or criminal justice process free from pressure by the institution;
• Participate in a process that is fair, impartial, and provides adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard;
• Be treated with dignity and to receive from the institution reasonable health care and counseling services, where available;
• Be free from any suggestion that the reporting individual is at fault when these crimes and violations are committed or should have acted in a different manner to avoid such crimes or violations;
• Describe the incident to as few institutional representatives as practicable and not be required to unnecessarily repeat a description of the incident;
• Be protected against retaliation by the College, any student or employee, the accused and/or the respondent, and/or their friends, family and acquaintances within the jurisdiction of the College;
• Access to at least one level of appeal of a determination;
• Be accompanied by an adviser of choice who may assist and advise a reporting individual, accused, or respondent throughout the judicial or conduct process, including during all meetings and hearings related to such process; and
• Exercise civil rights and lawful practice of religion without interference by the investigative, criminal justice, or judicial or conduct process of the College.