As a recipient of federal funds, Trenholm State Community College is obligated to ensure compliance of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits the discrimination of an individual based on sex/gender in educational programs or activities that receive federal funds at all levels. Title IX protects students, employees, applicants for admissions and employment, and other persons from all forms of sexual discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform for stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity.

Trenholm State is committed to fostering a college environment that is guided on a philosophy that individuals will not be discriminated against because of race, creed, religion, color, sex, age, national orientation, disability, marital status and that legitimate and reasonable access to facilities is available to all. Therefore, Trenholm State Community College, an Affirmative Action, Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity Institution, remains in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; Executive Order 11246, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

This section includes examples of issues that violate Title IX, but not limited to the following

Gender Discrimination

• Inappropriate language about a specific gender or sexual orientation
• Humor and/or jokes that target a specific gender or sexual orientation
• Discriminatory expressions discriminatory towards a specific gender or sexual orientation

Sexual Harassment

• Displaying inappropriate sexual images that are offensive and unwelcomed
• Unwelcome gender-based verbal or physical conduct
• Exchanging sexual images, sexual acts, or dating for grades or advancement

Sexual Assault

• Non-consensual sexual contact
• Non-consensual intercourse
• Taking sexual advantage of a consensual or non-consensual person

Other Behaviors

• Stalking—unwelcome, continuous, and menacing pursuit of a person electronically or in person
• “Sexting”—unwelcome text messaging of sexual comments and/or images
• Cyber-bullying—use of an electronic medium to target and psychologically torment a person

Title IX related incidents and concerns should be reported immediately to the Title IX Coordinator. Reports can also be reported using the Title IX Incident Form.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF REPORTING

Every effort, possible shall be made to ensure that the confidentiality of information is maintained. however, any incidents of sexual misconduct must be shared with relevant administrators if the College is required to take action for various reasons. Employees who qualify for the confidentiality privilege by law will maintain strict confidentiality in all circumstances.

RETALIATION OF REPORTING

It is a violation of federal law to retaliate against any person making a complaint about a Title IX violation or against any person cooperating with a related investigation. For these purposes, “retaliation” includes harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or any materially adverse harm that would dissuade a reasonable student or employee from filing a complaint or participating in an investigation.

Complaint/Grievance Form

Trenholm State Community College takes allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously and is committed to taking immediate action. The college encourages employees and students who have experienced any form of gender-based discrimination and/or sexual misconduct to report the incident promptly, to seek all available assistance, to pursue Student Code of Conduct charges, and where appropriate, pursue criminal prosecution of the offender.