Title IX / Sexual Misconduct
College should be a place where you can learn, grow as a person and explore the world around you without fear of discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct.
With that in mind, Richland College wants you to be aware of your rights under Title IX and what you can do if you feel that you have been a victim of gender-based discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct
- What is Title IX
- Richland College’s Sexual Misconduct Policy
- Who is affected?
- What is Consent or a Consensual Relationship?
- If You Experience Sexual Violence
- Dealing With Sexual Harassment
- To Report An Incident of Sexual Misconduct Contact
- Richland College’s Commitment to Equitable (Fair) Resolution
- Online/Electronic Communication and Sexual Misconduct
- Where to Report or Ask Questions
- Retaliation
- Confidentiality and Richland College Sexual Misconduct Policy
- Contact Us (College Title IX Coordinators)
- Additional Resources
- Glossary of Terms
Title IX applies regardless of a person’s national origin, immigration status or citizenship status.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a comprehensive federal civil rights law enforced by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and gender (including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity) in federally funded education programs. Under Title IX, such discrimination can include sexual harassment and interpersonal violence including stalking, relationship violence and sexual violence. These terms are referred to collectively here as sexual misconduct. (See the bottom of the Glossary of Terms page for some examples of sexual misconduct.)
Richland College is committed to ensuring equal access to education in an environment free from discrimination, including sexual misconduct. To that end, Richland College has developed a comprehensive Sexual Misconduct policy in order to comply with Title IX requirements.
Richland College’s Sexual Misconduct policy applies to any instance in which a person is alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct. Whether you are a student, faculty, staff member or visitor, you have the right to file a complaint. Complaints or reports of sexual misconduct should be submitted to the Title IX coordinator and/or the Deputy Title IX coordinator of Richland College. Reports of sexual misconduct committed by a Title IX coordinator should be reported to the DCCCD Office of General Counsel.
Sexual harassment is a form of sexual misconduct that often involves an abuse of power; however, it can also occur between peers, such as student-to-student. It is also possible for a student to harass a faculty member or employee of the college. Sexual harassment can involve persons of the same or opposite sex. Both men and women can be targets or perpetrators of harassment. Persons who observe someone being harassed may also be intimidated or offended and experience sexual harassment.
Consent must be clear, knowing and voluntary. Consent is active, not passive. Silence, in and of itself cannot be interpreted as consent. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create mutually understandable clear permission regarding willingness to engage in (and the conditions of) sexual activity. Also, in order to give effective consent, one must be of legal age. Furthermore, consent to any one form of sexual activity cannot automatically imply consent to any other forms of sexual activity. Previous relationships or prior consent cannot imply consent to future sexual acts.
- Go to a safe place and call someone. Call 911.
- Don’t shower, wash your hands, change or remove your clothes, or apply or take medication.
- Go to a hospital for medical attention.
- Get help, like counseling or victim assistance. (College staff are required to report alleged violations under Title IX)
- Tell the person to stop immediately.
- Be proactive: If you are uncomfortable with the behavior, say so.
- Be Consistent: Each time a person’s behavior “crosses the line”, confront the person.
- If you are uncomfortable confronting the person, contact a college administrator, supervisor, or Human Resources.
| Dr. Bill Dial | Gloria Williams |
| Executive Director, Human Resources | Director of Employee Relations |
| Title IX Administrator | Deputy Title IX Coordinator |
| ADA Coordinator | |
| 972-238-6386 | 972-238-6241 |
| bdial@dcccd.edu | gloriawilliams@dcccd.edu |
Directions: If you believe that you have been subjected to civil rights violations, you may
submit your complaint using the Complaint Incident Report Form, or verbally by contacting the Title IX/EO Coordinators listed above. Depending on the information you provide, Richland College may be obligated to investigate even without your permission. Richland College can only base its findings and take actions based on the information provided by you.
Complaint Incident Report Form
Richland College affirms its commitment to promote the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational enterprise. All Richland College policies are subject to an equitable resolution process. The Sexual Misconduct policy is applicable regardless of the status of the parties involved, who may be members or nonmembers of the Richland College community, students, student organizations, faculty, administrators and/or staff.
Richland College reserves the right to act on incidents of sexual misconduct occurring on campus or off campus. Incidents of off-campus sexual misconduct will be treated in the same manner as complaints about on-campus sexual misconduct if it is determined that the alleged sexual misconduct occurred in the context of an educational program or activity or may have an ongoing effect on the Richland College environment.
In most cases, online postings or other electronic communication by students are not subject to Richland College’s policies if they happen completely outside Richland College’s control (meaning not on Richland College networks or websites or between DCCCD email accounts). This includes cyberbullying, cyberstalking, cyber harassment, etc. Such behavior will only be subject to Richland College’s policies when the behavior can be shown to cause a substantial on-campus disruption.
However, online postings or electronic communication that qualifies as sexual misconduct is subject to Richland College’s Sexual Misconduct policy, regardless of whether it occurs on Richland College’s networks or websites, or between DCCCD email accounts. If such conduct takes place outside Richland College’s control, the behavior will be subject to the Sexual Misconduct policy if it is determined that the alleged sexual misconduct occurred in the context of an educational program or activity or may have an ongoing effect on the Richland College environment.
Richland College has designated Dr. Bill Dial, Executive Director of Human Resources as its Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Administrator/Equal Opportunity Administrator with the responsibility to coordinate its civil rights compliance activities and grievance procedures. For information, contact Dr. Bill Dial, Executive Director of Human Resources, Title IX Administrator, Title VII/Equal Opportunity Administrator, ADA/Section 504 Administrator.
Email: BDial@dcccd.edu Phone: 972-238-6386
All reports of sexual misconduct are acted upon as quickly as possible. Every effort is made by Richland College to preserve the privacy of reports. Reports may also be filed anonymously.
It is unlawful (illegal) and a violation of Richland College’s Sexual Misconduct policy to retaliate against an individual for:
- alleging sexual misconduct;
- supporting a person bringing a complaint or grievance;
- opposing sexual misconduct;
- assisting in providing information relevant to such a claim; or
- participating in any grievance process on campus or with a government agency.
If you believe you are being subjected to retaliatory behavior for filing a complaint of sexual misconduct or participating in the investigation of such a complaint, please contact:
| Dr. Bill Dial | Gloria Williams |
| Executive Director, Human Resources | Director of Employee Relations |
| Title IX Administrator | Deputy Title IX Coordinator |
| ADA Coordinator | |
| 972-238-6386 | 972-238-6241 |
| bdial@dcccd.edu | gloriawilliams@dcccd.edu |
Richland College recognizes that confidentiality is important; failure to keep information confidential may hurt the ability of Richland College to investigate and resolve claims of sexual misconduct. However, although Richland College is committed to respecting the confidentiality and privacy of all parties (people), we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality.
All Richland College Employees are considered responsible employees, and are required by Richland College policy or by law to share a report of sexual misconduct with appropriate parties promptly. Other resources (people) may serve in a professional role in which communication is privileged under law.
Learn more about reporting obligations and your options for confidentiality.
All reports of sexual misconduct are acted upon promptly. Every effort is made by Richland College to preserve the privacy of reports. Reports may also be filed anonymously.
The Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center
24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 972-641-7273
Counseling Services: 972-641-7273
http://www.dallasrapecrisis.org/
Lakeside Resource Center in El Paso Hall
Confidential Counseling for Students: 972.238.3771
http://randyjensenonline.com/rlcalt/lakeside-resource-center/
To make a report or ask a question please contact:
| Dr. Bill Dial | Gloria Williams |
| Executive Director, Human Resources | Director of Employee Relations |
| Title IX Administrator | Deputy Title IX Coordinator |
| ADA Coordinator | |
| 972-238-6386 | 972-238-6241 |
| bdial@dcccd.edu | gloriawilliams@dcccd.edu |
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual misconduct, help is available. Available resources:
DARCC
Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center
www.dallasrapecrisis.org
24 Hour Hotline: 972-641-7273
Garland Texas Victims Assistance
1891 Forest Lane
Garland, TX 75042
972-205-2067
https://www.garlandtx.gov/gov/lq/safety/police/unit/investigation/victims.asp
The Counseling Place
972-744-4858
help@counselingplace.org
http://counselingplace.org
Employee Assistance Program
Alliance Work Partners
1-800-343-3822
https://www.awpnow.com “Access Your Benefits”
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
See definitions of some terms used in Richland College’s nondiscrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct policies. This page also includes some examples of behavior that would be considered sexual misconduct and/or a violation of Richland College’s Sexual Misconduct policy.