Title IX Statement
Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC)
Purpose:
Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) is committed to maintaining a living, working, and educational environment free from sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. It is the policy of Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) 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 “unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature where sexual favors are used or threatened to be used as a basis for academic or employment decisions (quid pro quo harassment); where the conduct creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive academic or working environment; where the conduct has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance; or where other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, such as sexual assault or acts of sexual violence that are sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to limit a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity”.
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 Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), 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, Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) 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 sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence. Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) prohibits retaliation against anyone for making a complaint of discrimination, harassment, or violence, 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 Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) 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.
Title IX Advocates (Confidential)
Resources are available for individuals to discuss incidents and issues related to sexual misconduct on a confidential basis. Confidential resources can provide survivors with information about support services and their options. Our resource for confidential help is the Title IX Advocate. Other confidential resources would be a clergy, counselors at Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or other resources listed in the brochure.
Because of the confidential nature of these resources, disclosing information to or seeking advice from a confidential counselor does not constitute a report or complaint to the College and will not result in a response or intervention by Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC).
Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators (Mandatory Reporting)
Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) has designated a Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators who oversee the College’s compliance with Title IX, including coordinating the investigation of and response to sex discrimination complaints, responding to inquiries concerning Title IX, tracking incidents involving sexual misconduct, coordinating policies and providing training on preventing sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence.
If you have a complaint involving sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence, or if you have questions about Central Louisiana Technical Community College’s policies or procedures in these areas, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Please Note: Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators are mandatory reporters. While they will address your complaint with sensitivity and will keep your information as private as possible, however, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.