Title IX

What is Title IX?

Whether you are seeking more information about this important topic or valuable resources to assist you, a friend or colleague with a specific issue, you will find the information here helpful.

Title IX is commonly associated with sex-based discrimination in athletics, but it so much more. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that states:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or by subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance.”

Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in all college programs and activities, including but not limited to, admissions, recruiting, financial aid, academic programs, student services, counseling and guidance, discipline, class assignment, grading, recreation, athletics, housing, and employment.

Sexual harassment and sexual violence are forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX, as outlined in the U.S. Department of Education’s Dear Colleague Letter, 2011 and the 2020 Final Rule. Title IX also prohibits retaliation against people for making or participating in complaints of sex discrimination, see U.S. Department of Education, Dear Colleague Letter, 2011 and the 2020 Final Rule.

For more information about Title IX, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website. If you are a SCC student or staff member who did not find the information needed, we encourage you to call the Title IX Coordinator, Chreatha Alston, at 910-246-2868 for assistance.  We are also available to speak to your student group or department to share more information on Title IX and how it works for you.

 

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Admission to Sandhills Community College is open to any individual who meets the institution’s open admissions policy. Applicants for admission or employment, students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with Sandhills are hereby notified that this institution is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, age, ancestry, mental or physical disability, military status or veteran status in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Lack of English language skill is not a barrier to admission and participation in educational programs and activities. This includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial assistance, placement, recruitment, and educational programs or activities as required by applicable laws and regulations.

Further, it is the policy of Sandhills Community College to prohibit harassment (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) of students and employees. Any person having inquiries regarding special needs, support services, or Sandhills Community College’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is directed to contact the individuals who have been designated to coordinate the educational institution’s efforts to comply with the regulations implementing these laws.

Title IX Coordinator

Chreatha Alston
3395 Airport Road
Stone Hall, Room 226
Pinehurst, NC 28374 Email: alstonc@sandhills.edu
Phone: (910) 246-2868

Section 504 Coordinator

Shalishah Russell
3395 Airport Road
Stone Hall, Room 125
Pinehurst, NC 28374 Email: russells@sandhills.edu 
Phone: (910) 246-4138

Title VI, Title IX and Section 504 ADA complaints may also be filed with the Regional Office for Civil Rights. Address correspondence to: Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1475, Telephone: (202) 453-6020.

 

Title IX Policies and Procedures

You have rights and responsibilities under Title IX.  Title IX prohibits discrimination based upon sex in all aspects of college life.  SCC has adopted policies and procedures that govern our college’s response when a member of our community is alleged to be either a victim or a perpetrator of sexual misconduct under Title IX.

Policy:

  1. Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy

Includes:

  1. Notice of Nondiscrimination
  2. Policy Statement and Overview of Procedures
  3. Sexual Harassment is the umbrella category including the offenses of sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence and domestic violence.

 

Unlawful Discriminatory Behaviors Under Title IX

Many people are confused about what constitutes sexual discrimination under Title IX.  We have prepared a partial list of behaviors and circumstances that may be unlawful behavior under Title IX.  The list is not all inclusive; it is merely intended to give you a broad idea of prohibited conduct.  In general, if your conduct is unwelcome and offensive, it could be considered a violation.   Even if such behavior does not violate Title IX, it probably does not contribute to a robust learning or working environment due to its unwelcome or offensive nature and could be a violation of the College’s conduct policies.

Unlawful discriminatory behaviors under Title IX include, but are not limited to:

  1. Sexual Harassment (unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature).
  2. Sexual Misconduct (rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity).
  3. Stalking (repeatedly following, harassing, threatening, or intimidating including by telephone, email, electronic communication, or social media).
  4. Dating Violence (including emotional, verbal, and economic abuse without the presence of physical abuse); and
  5. 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:

  1. Inappropriate touching, patting, or pinching
  2. Physical assault or coerced sexual activity
  3. Demands or subtle pressure for sexual favors
  4. Unwanted phone calls, texts, email, or gestures

 

How to File a Title IX Complaint

If you experience sexual discrimination, harassment, or violence, you have rights and you have options. Title IX and SCC’s 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 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 please call 911):

College Resources

  • College Security Services is located on all campuses and is available by phone at (910) 695-3831 or by calling the reception desk at (910) 695-6185 and asking for security.  A copy of the Annual Security Report can be found here.
  • The Associate Vice President of Student Services office is located in Stone Hall Building, Room 123 and is staffed from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Sandhills Community College’s Title IX Coordinator is Chreatha Alston, whose office is located in the Stone Hall Building, Room 226. This office may be contacted from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by phone at (910) 246-2868 or by email at alstonc@sandhills.edu.
  • The Office of Human Resources is located in the Stone Hall Building, room 226 and is available by phone at (910) 246-2868. The office is staffed from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Counseling Services is located in the Stone Hall Building, room 229, (910) 695-3968, and on the Hoke County Campus in Johnson Hall, room 112, (910) 878-5804.
Community Resources

Click here for the list of community resources.

Title IX Training Posting Requirement

All materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process can be found at: