Title IX

Sex-Based Misconduct (including Title IX)

Moraine Valley Community College is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and employment environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and misconduct on the basis of sex, which includes sexual orientation or gender-related identity. The College has an affirmative duty to take immediate and appropriate action once it knows or its management should know of an act of sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, or other sex-based misconduct in any of its educational or employment programs or activities.  The College will promptly and thoroughly investigate any complaints of sexual discrimination, harassment and/or misconduct in accordance with the procedures found here.

 

Policy Jurisdiction

Who: Students, faculty, staff, appointees, or third parties regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

What: Violations of the MVCC Policy Prohibiting Sex-Based Misconduct

Where: Violations that occur on college property, or off college property if the conduct was in connection with a college or college-recognized program or activity or the conduct may have the effect of creating a hostile environment for a member of the college community.

 

Options for Assistance

You do not need to determine whether or not a policy has been violated. If you think you have survived a violation of this policy, trained staff and resources can assist you.

Examples of conduct that constitutes violations of this policy:

  • A student who coerces his/her girlfriend who is also a student into having sex;
  • A faculty member who gives a passing grade to a student in return for sexual favors;
  • A staff member who assaults his/her partner who is also a staff member.

It is important to keep in mind that a violation of this policy is not your fault. Many resources exist, on and off campus, to assist you with recovery and any reports you wish to make including:

Confidential Reporting Options (On-Campus)

  1. Confidential Advisor: Souzan Naser, 708-974-5722; S202
  2. Counseling and Career Development Center Counselors: 708-974-5722; S202

Non-Confidential Reporting Options (On-Campus)

  1. Title IX Coordinators: Jo Ann Jenkins, 708-974-5277; G253; Lynn Harrington, 708-974-5704; L167
  2. MVCC Police Department: 708-974-5555 or 911, Building P (Available 24/7)
  3. Responsible Employees: All Faculty and some Staff can offer support and resources

The College maintains an online system for electronic reporting.  The reporter may choose to provide his/her identity or may choose to report anonymously.  Electronic and/or anonymous reports can be filed online.

Roles & Responsibilities to Know
Confidential Advisor A Confidential Advisor is a designated MVCC employee trained to provide ongoing support to student survivors of sexual violence.
Counselors Counselors are MVCC employees fully licensed and trained to assist students with mental health issues; including survivors.
Title IX Coordinator MVCC employee who handles all Title IX cases; NOT a confidential advisor or resource.
Responsible Employee NOT confidential advisors or resource; a college employee who has the authority to redress sex-based misconduct, who has the duty to report incidents of such misconduct or other student misconduct, or whom a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty. Categories of employees who are Responsible Employees for the College can be found at the link provided.

Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting

Students who in good faith report an alleged violation of the College’s Policy Prohibiting Sex-Based Misconduct will be granted immunity and will not receive a disciplinary sanction for a student conduct violation (such as underage drinking) revealed during the course of reporting.

 

Supportive Measures

Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to a complainant or respondent, irrespective of whether a formal complaint has been filed. Examples of supportive measures include:

  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments
  • Leaves of absence
  • Changes to academic and/or on-campus working schedules or situations
  • Increased security and monitoring of certain areas of campus


Range of Sanctions

Students or Employees found in violation of this policy are subject to sanctions included in the Code of Conduct, employee guidebooks, collective bargaining agreements, etc.; up to and including expulsion or termination.