Title IX: Know Your Rights
Making a Safe & Supportive Environment for All
Forsyth Tech is committed to making everyone in our campus community safe, comfortable, and supported while they learn and work. We want to ensure that everyone remains safe and free from harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and violence.
We depend on community members like you to identify and report any issues of concern so we can address them and provide impacted students and employees with support. Please report any concerning activity using the forms below.
Report Unlawful Harassment, Discrimination or Retaliation
Unlawful harassment and discrimination is behavior based on someone’s affiliation with a protected class that is so pervasive, persistent, or severe that it would prevent a reasonable person from taking advantage of the educational or employment opportunities Forsyth Tech has to offer.
Forsyth Tech does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race or ethnicity, color, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, or pregnancy. Both students and employees can report harassment, discrimination, and retaliation by using the form below.
Forsyth Tech prohibits retaliation against individuals who make a report or who participate in investigations of unlawful discrimination or harassment. Any attempt to harass or intimidate individuals who participated in an investigation constitutes a violation of College policy and could result in disciplinary action.
Submit a Complaint
Report Sexual Misconduct
Sexual Misconduct includes gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking behaviors. To learn more about Cabrillo’s reporting options and resources for sexual misconduct, please visit our Title IX website. Both students and employees ca report sexual misconduct using the form below.
Submit a Complaint
Report Disruptive Behavior
Disruptive behavior is conduct that prevents a faculty member’s ability to to conduct class or limits another student’s ability to fully access the educational benefits Forsyth Tech has to offer. Disruptive behavior can occur inside or outside of a classroom setting. Examples of disruptive behavior include prohibited use of electronics (like a phone) during class, persistently interrupting instructors or other students during class, excessively aggressive or violent behavior towards another member of the Forsyth Tech community, or physical altercations. Both students and employees can report disruptive behavior.
Submit a Complaint
What Is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination, harassment, and violence in education. It reads:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
— Legal Citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)
Title IX at Forsyth Tech
Forsyth Technical Community College adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. The College does not discriminate in its admissions practices (except as permitted by law), in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex.
As a recipient of federal financial assistance for education activities, the College is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex. Sex includes sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status.
The College also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or external to the institution. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and by the College policy.
Any member of the campus community, guest, or visitor who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the educational, employment, residential, or social access, opportunities and/or benefits of any member of the College community on the basis of sex is in violation of the Title IX Policy.
Any person may report sex discrimination (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct), in person, by mail, by telephone, by video, or by email, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator. A report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by email and telephone.
Title IX Policy Statement Policy Questions regarding Title IX, including its application and/or concerns about noncompliance, should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. For a complete copy of the policy or for more information, please visit Forsyth Tech Home Page or contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Individuals who believe they have experienced sex discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation in violation of the College’s policy should contact the Title IX Coordinator, Title IX Deputy Coordinator or Campus police.
For more information about Title IX, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.
Title IX Interim Policy (Sex Discrimination)
*Note: Forsyth Technical Community College is referred to as “College” throughout this policy.
Rationale for Policy
Forsyth Technical Community College adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. The College does not discriminate in its admissions practices (except as permitted by law), in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex.
As a recipient of federal financial assistance for education activities, the College is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex. Sex includes sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and by the College policy.
Any member of the campus community, guest, or visitor who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the educational, employment, residential, or social access, opportunities and/or benefits of any member of the College community on the basis of sex is in violation of the Title IX Policy.
The College values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.
When the Respondent is a member of the College community, a grievance process may be available regardless of the status of the Complainant, who may or may not be a member of the College community. This community includes, but is not limited to, students, student organizations, faculty, administrators, staff, and third parties such as guests, visitors, and volunteers.
For the purpose of this policy, the College refers to “student” as an individual moved to the status of student by Admissions and eligible to register for courses, an individual registered for a credit or non-credit bearing course, an individual enrolled in a credit or non-credit bearing course, and who maintains an ongoing relationship with the College.
The procedures below may be applied to incidents, to patterns, and/or to the campus climate, all of which may be addressed and investigated in accordance with this policy.
Glossary
(as applicable to the Title IX Policy)
A person chosen by a party or appointed by the institution to accompany the party to meetings related to the resolution process, to advise the party on that process, and to conduct cross-examination for the party at the hearing, if any.
An individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute harassment or discrimination based on a protected class; or retaliation for engaging in a protected activity.
A document signed by a Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging harassment or discrimination based on a protected class or retaliation for engaging in a protected activity against a Respondent and requesting that Forsyth Technical Community College investigates the allegation.
A business day when the College is in normal operation.
Evidence connected to the complaint but is neither inculpatory (tending to prove a violation) nor exculpatory (tending to disprove a violation) and will not be relied upon by the investigation report.
An employee who is not a Mandated Reporter of notice of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation, irrespective of Clery Act Campus Security Authority status.
Locations, events, or circumstances where the College exercises substantial control over both the Respondent and the context in which the sexual harassment or discrimination occurs and also includes any building owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized the College.
A conclusion by the standard of proof that the alleged conduct did or did not violate policy.
A conclusion by the standard of proof that the conduct did or did not occur as alleged as in a “finding of fact”).
“Process A,” a method of formal resolution designated by the College to address conduct that falls within the policies included below, and which complies with the requirements of the Title IX regulations (34 CFR §106.45).
Any investigators, hearing officers, appeal officers, and Advisors who may perform any or all of these roles (though not at the same time or with respect to the same case).
Those who have decision-making and sanctioning authority within the College’s Formal Grievance process.
The person or persons charged by the College with gathering facts about an alleged violation of this Policy, assessing relevance and credibility, synthesizing the evidence, and compiling this information into an investigation report and file of directly related evidence.
An employee of the College who is obligated by policy to share knowledge, notice, and/or reports of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation with the Title IX Coordinator and/or their supervisor.
An employee, student, or third-party informs the Title IX Coordinator or other Official with Authority of the alleged occurrence of harassing, discriminatory, and/or retaliatory conduct.
An employee of the College explicitly vested with the responsibility to implement corrective measures for harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation on behalf of the College.
The Complainant(s) and Respondent(s), collectively.
The Formal Grievance Process detailed below and defined above.
The administrative resolution procedures as detailed in Appendix D that apply only when Process A does not, as determination by the Title IX Coordinator.
Evidence that tends to prove or disprove an issue in the complaint.
Post-finding actions directed to the Complainant and/or the community as mechanisms to address safety, prevent recurrence, and restore access to Forsyth Technical Community College’s educational program.
An individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute harassment or discrimination based on a protected class; or retaliation for engaging in a protected activity.
The result of an informal or Formal Grievance Process.
A consequence imposed by the College on a Respondent who is found to have violated this policy.
The umbrella category including the offenses of sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence and domestic violence. https://hr.unm.edu/training/sh-cr-newhire/sh_180.html
At least one official designated by Forsyth Technical Community College to ensure compliance with Title IX and the College’s Title IX program. References to the Coordinator throughout this policy may also encompass a designee of the Coordinator for specific tasks.
The Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Coordinators, Investigators, and any member of the Grievance Process Pool.
Unlawful Discriminatory Behaviors under Title IX
Unlawful discriminatory behaviors under Title IX include, but are not limited to:
- Sexual Harassment (unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature);
- Sexual Misconduct (rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity);
- Stalking (repeatedly following, harassing, threatening, or intimidating including by telephone, email, electronic communication, or social media);
- Dating Violence (including emotional, verbal, and economic abuse without the presence of physical abuse); and
- Retaliation (adverse employment, academic, or other actions against anyone reporting or participating in an investigation of Title IX allegations).
The following are examples of types of conduct that may constitute sexual harassment:
- Inappropriate touching, patting, or pinching
- Physical assault or coerced sexual activity
- Demands or subtle pressure for sexual favors
- Unwanted phone calls, texts, email, or gestures
If you experience sexual discrimination, harassment, or violence, you have rights and you have options. Title IX and Forsyth Technical Community Colleges Resources exist to help you get the support you need. Whether you are a student, faculty member, staff member, or guest, you have the right to file a complaint through the College and/or explore other options..
Any person (student, faculty, staff, or guest) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based upon gender may discuss these concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX (in the case of emergencies on main campus please call x7911).
How to File a Title IX Complaint
College Resources/ Reporting Stations
- Campus Police or Campus security officers are located on all campuses and is available by phone on the main campus at 7911. College law enforcement and security officers are available during operation hours.
- Student Conduct and Civility is located in the Robert L. Strickland Center, Room 2416, inside of Student Success Center and is available by phone at 336.757.3431. Forsyth Technical Community College’s Title IX Coordinator is Tony McKinnon, whose office is located in Room 2416 of the Robert L. Strickland Center.
- Office of Human Resources is located in Allman Building and is available by phone at 336.734.7302. The office is staffed from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Counseling Services is located on main campuses and is available by phone at 336.757.3431. The Centers are staffed from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Shugarts Womens Center is located in room 206 in Hauser Hall. This office is staffed from 8:00am until 5:00pm. Monday through Friday.
Forsyth Technical Community College Title IX/Program Awareness Training
The college’s sexual misconduct-related training for faculty, staff, and students addresses numerous issues, including but not limited to the following:
- Types of sexual misconduct
- Resources for victims of sexual misconduct
- The College’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures
- Reporting sexual misconduct
- Bystander intervention
- Responding to complaints
- Avoiding retaliation
- Maintaining a respectful work environment
Bystander intervention Training for employees only can be found inside of the Safe Colleges Training Program under the Social and Behavioral section within TechLink.
Recognitions of signs of abusive behavior training for employees only can be found inside of the Safe Colleges Training Program under the Social and Behavioral section within TechLink.
View the full Forsyth Tech Title IX document.
Training Materials
The following link offers training materials for the College’s Title IX Team inclusive of training and certification events, select webinars, and online trainings provided by the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA).
Preventing Date Rape and Sexual Assault
First, remember that date and acquaintance rape does occur! Most students who are raped or sexually assaulted don’t report it. They fear publicity, blame, disbelief or reprisals – especially if they know their attacker(s). Dates and acquaintances commit most college sexual assaults.
Protect yourself:
- Know whom you are dating before the date. If this person is somewhat of a stranger, stay in well-populated areas.
- Avoid those people who ignore you, pretend not to hear you, talk over you or are hostile in disagreement.
- Avoid those people who stare at the sexual parts of your body and invade your personal space by unwanted touching or making you feel uncomfortable.
- Let a friend or family member know where you will be on the date and what time you plan to return.
- Don’t use drugs or alcohol on dates.
- Clearly communicate your sexual limits to your partner. Say “no” forcefully if pressured for unwanted sex.
- If “no” doesn’t work, try to get away by running and screaming for help.
- If you don’t feel safe walking to your vehicle, contact Public Safety or walk with classmates.
Know what to do if you are sexually assaulted:
- Report the crime to Campus Police or a law enforcement agency.
- Get medical attention. The physician should collect specimens and make detailed notes about the physical evidence, such as bruises, cuts, torn clothing and traces of semen. You should be tested later for pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.
- Don’t wash or change clothes – you could destroy evidence.
- Contact a rape crisis or counseling center.
- Forsyth Tech prohibits sexual violence or any other criminal offenses against its campus community to include students, employees and visitors. Victims of any crimes are encouraged to report it to Campus Police or local law enforcement in their jurisdiction.
- Crimes reported to Campus Police will be fully investigated with additional internal or external assistance, if needed.
- Definitions:
- Domestic violence – asserted violent misdemeanor and felony offenses committed by the victim’s current or former spouse, current or former cohabitant, person similarly situated under domestic or family violence law, or anyone else protected under domestic or family violence law.
- Dating violence – violence by a person who has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim. Whether there was such relationship will be gauged by its length, type, and frequency of interaction.
- Stalking – a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for her, his or others’ safety, or to suffer substantial emotional distress.
- Rape – The new definition of rape is: “The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with anybody part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”