Title IX and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Resource Guide

Linked below is our new resource—Title IX and VAWA at Montgomery College. It is a guide that explains the College’s responsibilities and resources related to sexual misconduct. You will each receive 10 copies in the mail. If you need additional copies, please let me know.

Title IX webpage - in the grey box on the main page and under the “Rights” tab.

Our office is excited to see how this new resource is utilized by our students, faculty, and staff.

Electronic Title IX Resource Card

Greetings,

I wanted to share some Title IX information while we are remote.

The Title IX card that we used in person that tears in half- one half for the person who has experienced sexual misconduct, the other half is the what to do if someone reports sexual misconduct to you;  is available now electronic on the Title IX webpage, but here is the shortcut:

https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/_documents/policies-and-procedures/title-ix/title-lx-resource-card.pdf

Thanks!

-Katie

Title IX

Over 85 schools are currently under investigation by the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR) for Title IX violations. This is one of the most active areas of enforcement in higher education today. You may think of Title IX as gender equity in Athletics, which it is, but it covers much more. Title IX, of the Education Amendments of 1972, prohibits discrimination on the basis of
gender (sex) in educational institutions, which receive federal financial assistance. Title IX prohibited conduct includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, relationship (dating) violence, and stalking.

Several Dear Colleague Letters (DCL) and communications have been sent from OCR to Colleges outlining expectations for Title IX compliance. The expectations for institutions of higher education
have greatly increased. On April 4, 2011 a DCL was sent to educational institutions outlining responsibilities with regard to student‐on-student reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, relationship (dating) violence, and stalking. The DCL states, “If a school knows or reasonably should know about student -‐on-‐student harassment that creates a hostile environment, Title IX requires the school to take immediate action to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.”

On April 29, 2014, the Department of Education issued a follow up communication, which includes questions and answers on Title IX and sexual violence, http://www2.ed.gov/ about/offices/list/ocr/docs/qa-201404-title-ix.pdf. Additionally, in April 2014 the White House issued its first report of the task force to protect students from sexual assault. Montgomery College is committed to the prevention and protection from discrimination based on sex. Christopher Moy, has been designated the Title IX Coordinator, and any instance of notice regarding sexual misconduct/harassment must be reported to the Title IX Coordinator.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Christopher Moy at christopher.moy@
montgomerycollege.edu.

Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students

Montgomery College

Office of Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management

September 5, 2014

Memorandum

To:            The College Community

From:        Mr. Christopher Moy

      Director of ADA Compliance, Title IX Coordinator                                                                                      

      Office of Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management (HRSTM)

Subject:    Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students

This memorandum is being sent to inform and remind the College community of the College’s obligations not to discriminate against students on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions.
The College’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy (31006) makes clear that discrimination is prohibited against persons on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities. The legal prohibition against sex discrimination in education comes from, among other places, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (“Title IX”). Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and related conditions—in educational programs and activities that are eligible for federal funding. This means that the College must give all students who might be, are, or have been pregnant the same access to school programs and educational opportunities that other students have. Thus, the College is obligated to provide the following academic adjustments, accommodations, and support:

• Absences due to pregnancy or any related conditions must be excused for as long as their doctors say it is necessary for them to be absent. When the student returns to school, she must be reinstated to the status she held before their leave.
• Faculty who base grades on class attendance cannot penalize a pregnant student for her absence and must allow the student to earn back the credit from the classes missed.
• Students must be given the opportunity to make up missed work, with the goal of having the students graduate on time, if possible and if desired by the students. Montgomery College is required to let students make up the work they missed while absent from class due to pregnancy or any related conditions, including bed rest or recovery from childbirth. It is recommended that for an extended absence, the students and professor work together to keep up with regularly scheduled assignments.
• With medical documentation, students may be provided with a larger classroom desk, a designated lactation room, or allowing frequent trips to the restroom.
• Students who are pregnant or dealing with any pregnancy-related conditions must be permitted to continue their off-campus work, including internships and career rotations. We cannot require a doctor to approve the continuation of these activities unless a note is required of all students with a medical condition.

·         These rules supersede any school- or instructor-based attendance or other policies regarding allowable numbers of absences or ability to make up missed school work.

In an effort to proactively provide continuing support to our faculty and students and ensure compliance; a dean, faculty member, pregnant or parenting student who needs information or assistance with arranging academic or other related adjustments and support should contact the campus Dean of Student Services or Title IX Coordinator Christopher Moy at 240-567-5412. For questions or concerns about Title IX or other non-discrimination related compliance matters, please contact Mr. Moy.

More specific information from the U.S. Department of Education regarding supporting the academic success of pregnant and parenting students is available at this link: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/pregnancy.html#_Toc3. More information and materials regarding Title IX’s prohibition against discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions is available at the National Women’s Law Center link http://www.nwlc.org/our-issues/education-%2526-title-ix/pregnant-%2526-parenting-students.

Thank you for your attention to this important information.