Letter from the Vice President on Title IX - Fall 2020
Dear Student,
In early May, the U.S. Department of Education finalized new Title IX regulations, which required the College to revise its Policy on Sexual Violence in Accordance with Title IX, VAWA, and the Campus SaVe Act (Policy 7.17). Since there are significant changes to the Title IX sections of this policy, it is important that you take a moment to review the policy to ensure you understand your rights and responsibilities under this policy. Below is a summary of the purpose of the policy and information describing Title IX:
- This policy is intended to protect all members of the Delaware County Community College community and its guests from discrimination in any form based on sex, sexual harassment, and sexual violence including dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, with additional attention to sexual misconduct when targeted at an individual because of his/her national origin, ethnicity, gender identity, gender presentation, or sexual orientation
- What is Title IX: Title IX statute applies to persons in the United States with respect to educational program or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX applies to all educational programs, or activities which includes locations, events, or circumstances over which the school exercised ‘substantial’ control over both the respondent, and the context in which the sexual harassment occurred, and also includes any building owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the College; whether such programs or activities occur on or off campus.
Some of the changes in the policy are highlighted below:
- The College will be responsible for conducting live hearings for all Title IX Complaints;
- Additional steps and timelines were added to the grievance process;
- To avoid potential conflicts of interests, the Title IX Coordinator will no longer investigate Title IX Complaints. The Title IX Coordinator’s role is to oversee the entire complaint process while ensuring due process for both the Complainants and Respondents.
- The College will be responsible for providing ‘supportive measures’ to both the Complainants and Respondents based on the overall complaint received.
The full copy of the revised policy is located on the College’s website under policies and procedures.
If you have questions about Title IX or want to report a Title IX incident, please contact the Vice President of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator (TitleIXCoordinator@dccc.edu), by phone 610-359-5094, or by U.S. mail at 901 S. Media Line Road, Media, PA 19063.
Grant Snyder, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Strategic Initiatives
Delaware County Community College