Title IX
Title IX benefits both males and females in an effort to create gender equitable schools and universities.
Title IX benefits both males and females in an effort to create gender equitable schools and universities.
星空传媒 is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment where
individuals are free from sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence,
domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and retaliation (collectively 鈥渟exual
misconduct鈥�).
星空传媒 has a designated overall Title IX Coordinator and designated Title
IX points of contact on each of the Alabama campuses. The University also has a Title
IX committee that works in conjunction with the Coordinator in ensuring all aspects
of the law are adhered to.
On this page you will find links and information on response resources available to the 星空传媒 community. Additionally, you will find information about prevention at 星空传媒.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads:
鈥淣o 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 educational
program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.鈥� Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX).
Title IX benefits both males and females in an effort to create gender equitable schools and universities. The law mandates that educational institutions maintain policies, procedures and programs that do not discriminate against anyone based on sex. Under the law, males and females are expected to receive fair and equitable treatment in all areas of public education including recruitment, admissions, programming and activities, course offerings and access, counseling, financial aid, employment assistance, facilities and housing, health and insurance benefits, marital and parental status, scholarships, sexual discrimination and athletics.
Complainants who are considering bringing a formal grievance may at any time meet with the University Title IX Coordinator, who will discuss the matter and describe the formal grievance process. Alternatively, a complainant may choose to submit a written grievance to the University Title IX Coordinator (including via use of the available Title IX grievance form).
A formal grievance process is initiated when a complainant submits a written statement alleging discrimination prohibited by Title IX to the University Title IX Coordinator. In the statement, the complainant is encouraged to request any relief sought from the University. Prompt submission of formal grievances is encouraged.
The University Title IX Coordinator will consider the written grievance, and may dismiss the grievance without further process or review if the University Title IX Coordinator determines that the grievance on its face is frivolous, not credible, clearly without merit, or outside the scope of these grievance procedures.
If the grievance is not dismissed, the University Title IX Coordinator will interview the individual who submitted the written statement. Depending on the circumstances, the University Title IX Coordinator also may interview others with relevant knowledge, review documentary materials, and take any other appropriate action to gather and consider information relevant to the grievance.
The University Title IX Coordinator will determine whether the complainant was excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex under any University program or activity, using a preponderance of the evidence standard. The University Title IX Coordinator will consult with other University offices as necessary in reaching a decision regarding the written grievance. The University Title IX Coordinator will prepare a written report setting forth findings, conclusions, and actions to be taken, if any, and will determine with whom to share the report.
Following such review, the University's Title IX Coordinator will, as necessary, take appropriate action to ensure that the University comes into compliance with Title IX in a manner which is prompt and equitable to the complainant. For example, the University Title IX Coordinator may assure that appropriate changes to housing, academic programs or working conditions are implemented. While the action taken by the Title IX Coordinator may impact third parties, such action is not intended to be punitive (or constitute disciplinary penalty) with respect to these third parties.
The decision of the University Title IX Coordinator is the final resolution of the grievance, unless the individual who filed the grievances wish to appeal the decision through the appropriate University outlined appeal policies and procedures.
While the time it may take to investigate and resolve a Title IX grievance will depend on a variety of factors, including the nature and scope of the allegations, the University Title IX Coordinator will seek to resolve the grievance within 45 working days of receipt of the grievance. Throughout the process, the University Title IX Coordinator will, as appropriate, keep the participants informed of the status of the grievance process.
In many instances, counseling, advice, or informal discussion may be useful in resolving concerns about allegations of discrimination prohibited by Title IX. Complainants who wish to resolve their concerns informally should bring them to the attention of the University Title IX Coordinator.
In working to resolve the matter, the University Title IX Coordinator ordinarily will interview the complainant and, as appropriate, others who may have knowledge of the facts underlying the grievance. At any point, including while the informal process is ongoing or afterward, the complainant may elect to end the informal process in favor of filing a formal grievance.
Although Troy welcomes informal resolution of grievances when appropriate, it will not use mediation between a complainant and alleged perpetrator or any other informal resolution mechanism to resolve grievances pertaining to non-consensual sexual contact or non-consensual sexual penetration, as defined by the University Policy on Sexual Misconduct.
The Title IX Coordinator and committee members are responsible for monitoring the University's policies in relation to Title IX law developments; implementation of grievance procedures, including notification, investigation and disposition of complaints; provision of educational materials and training for the campus community; conducting and/or coordinating investigations of complaints received pursuant to Title IX; ensuring a fair and neutral process for all parties; and monitoring all other aspects of the University's Title IX compliance related to sexual harassment and sexual violence.
It is important to preserve all evidence of sexual discrimination, especially if the description is also a criminal offense, such as sexual assault, sexual violence, stalking, domestic violence or dating violence.
Supervisors and staff members must recognize that their positions necessarily embody
unequal power relationships with their subordinates and students. Because of the inherent
power of differences in these relationships, the potential exists for the less powerful
to perceive a coercive element in suggestions relative to activities outside those
appropriate to the professional relationship. It is the responsibility of supervisors
and staff members to behave in such a manner that their words or actions cannot reasonably
be perceived as coercive.
Privacy and confidentiality:
All activities under these grievance procedures shall be conducted with due regard
for any legitimate privacy and reputational interests of those involved. It is expected
that any materials and information prepared or acquired under these grievance procedures
will be shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know. Disclosure of such
information may also be made if it is permitted by law and the University Title IX
Coordinator determines in his or her judgment: (1) that such disclosure is necessary
to protect the health, safety, or well-being of members of the Troy community; or
(2) that such disclosure advances the interests of those involved in the process and/or
the University and outweighs the interest in confidentiality. While the University
Title IX Coordinator will take into account any requests made by a complainant for
confidentiality or that a Title IX grievance not be investigated, the University Title
IX Coordinator must take appropriate steps to respond to the grievance consistent
with the requirements of Title IX.
Retaliation: Retaliation against any person in the University community either for alleging discrimination prohibited by Title IX or for cooperating in these grievance procedures is strictly prohibited.
Standard of Evidence: The University Title IX Coordinator shall review allegations of discrimination prohibited by Title IX by applying a preponderance of the evidence standard.
Right of Appeal and Review of Disciplinary Proceedings: The University Title IX Coordinator does not make a determination on or review a disciplinary process's factual findings, conclusions, or imposed penalty. Any appeal rights in that regard which may exist are referenced in applicable student, faculty and staff policies and procedures. If a complainant wishes to appeal the decisions of the Title IX Coordinator or a University Conduct Board he/she may make a written appeal as outline in University policies and procedures.
Any Community Member who believes that he/she has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title IX, or that the University has failed to meet its Title IX obligations, may bring the concern to the attention of the University Title IX Coordinator. While the University Title IX Coordinator welcomes an informal presentation of such allegations, and is available to address concerns through counseling, advice, and informal resolution, the University Title IX Coordinator is fully prepared to receive and address such allegations through formal grievance procedures.
The University Title IX Coordinator has the authority to investigate allegations of discrimination prohibited by Title IX even absent the filing of a formal grievance, or its subsequent withdrawal. In addition, the University Title IX Coordinator may proceed with investigating a formal or informal grievance even if a complainant specifically requests that the matter not be pursued. In such a circumstance, the University Title IX Coordinator will take all reasonable steps to investigate and respond to the matter in a manner which is informed by the complainant's articulated concerns.
In most circumstances, the University Title IX Coordinator will coordinate his/her activities with other University offices charged with responsibilities for student, faculty and staff conduct and discipline and for enforcing the University's policies and procedures generally.
In many instances, counseling, advice, or informal discussion may be useful in resolving concerns about allegations of discrimination prohibited by Title IX. Complainants who wish to resolve their concerns informally should bring them to the attention of the University Title IX Coordinator.
In working to resolve the matter, the University Title IX Coordinator ordinarily will interview the complainant and, as appropriate, others who may have knowledge of the facts underlying the grievance. At any point, including while the informal process is ongoing or afterward, the complainant may elect to end the informal process in favor of filing a formal grievance.
Although Troy welcomes informal resolution of grievances when appropriate, it will not use mediation between a complainant and alleged perpetrator or any other informal resolution mechanism to resolve grievances pertaining to non-consensual sexual contact or non-consensual sexual penetration, as defined by the University Policy on Sexual Misconduct.
Complainants who are considering bringing a formal grievance may at any time meet with the University Title IX Coordinator, who will discuss the matter and describe the formal grievance process. Alternatively, a complainant may choose to submit a written grievance to the University Title IX Coordinator (including via use of the available Title IX grievance form).
A formal grievance process is initiated when a complainant submits a written statement alleging discrimination prohibited by Title IX to the University Title IX Coordinator. In the statement, the complainant is encouraged to request any relief sought from the University. Prompt submission of formal grievances is encouraged.
The University Title IX Coordinator will consider the written grievance, and may dismiss the grievance without further process or review if the University Title IX Coordinator determines that the grievance on its face is frivolous, not credible, clearly without merit, or outside the scope of these grievance procedures.
If the grievance is not dismissed, the University Title IX Coordinator will interview the individual who submitted the written statement. Depending on the circumstances, the University Title IX Coordinator also may interview others with relevant knowledge, review documentary materials, and take any other appropriate action to gather and consider information relevant to the grievance.
The University Title IX Coordinator will determine whether the complainant was excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex under any University program or activity, using a preponderance of the evidence standard. The University Title IX Coordinator will consult with other University offices as necessary in reaching a decision regarding the written grievance. The University Title IX Coordinator will prepare a written report setting forth findings, conclusions, and actions to be taken, if any, and will determine with whom to share the report.
Following such review, the University's Title IX Coordinator will, as necessary, take appropriate action to ensure that the University comes into compliance with Title IX in a manner which is prompt and equitable to the complainant. For example, the University Title IX Coordinator may assure that appropriate changes to housing, academic programs or working conditions are implemented. While the action taken by the Title IX Coordinator may impact third parties, such action is not intended to be punitive (or constitute disciplinary penalty) with respect to these third parties.
The decision of the University Title IX Coordinator is the final resolution of the grievance, unless the individual who filed the grievances wish to appeal the decision through the appropriate University outlined appeal policies and procedures.
While the time it may take to investigate and resolve a Title IX grievance will depend on a variety of factors, including the nature and scope of the allegations, the University Title IX Coordinator will seek to resolve the grievance within 45 working days of receipt of the grievance. Throughout the process, the University Title IX Coordinator will, as appropriate, keep the participants informed of the status of the grievance process.
Regardless of whether student disciplinary proceedings or a criminal charge are pending or being investigated pertaining to an allegation of student sexual misconduct, and irrespective of their outcome, 星空传媒 shall take steps to meet its responsibility to provide an environment where no member of its community is, on the basis of sex, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity. In addition to the procedures described above, the following additional procedures apply in allegations of student-on-student sexual harassment and/or discrimination.
The University Title IX Coordinator shall be available as a resource to any dean or other Troy faculty or staff member who receives an allegation of student-on-student sexual harassment and/or discrimination, and the University Title IX Coordinator shall be promptly informed of any such allegation.
As indicated above, following appropriate investigation and review, the University Title IX Coordinator or the campus Point of Contact shall determine and promptly implement any remedies that he/she believes are necessary to maintain an environment free from harassment and/or discrimination and to protect the safety and well-being of community members. Such remedies may include, but are not limited to, no-contact orders, academic accommodations, housing accommodations, counseling services, campus escorts, and educational or outreach initiatives. Adjustments to a student(s)' educational environment may be taken on an interim or permanent basis. Any adjustments in that regard would not be punitive, and, as such, would not appear on any student disciplinary record.
At any point during an informal or formal Title IX grievance procedure, the University Title IX Coordinator may, at his/her discretion, inform other University officials of the possibility that a violation of the University's Code of Conduct and/or disciplinary policies may have taken place.
These procedures do not replace the University's student disciplinary processes, including the appeal processes specified therein. While the University Title IX Coordinator will review grievance claims as to whether the University has fulfilled its obligations under Title IX, including whether student disciplinary processes were conducted in a manner free of discrimination, it is not the function of the University Title IX Coordinator to hear appeals from, rehear or otherwise resolve student discipline matters based on their content.
星空传媒 is committed to an environment for all faculty, staff, students and visitors that is free from sexual discrimination including sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, stalking, domestic violence and dating violence. No form of sexual discrimination will be tolerated.
Definitions: The definitions below are simply provided as guidance for a person wishing to file a complaint. They are not all inclusive and all complaints will be reviewed by the Title IX Coordinator or a designee.
Bullying is an unacceptable habitual behavior in which coercion and intimidation are used to dominate others who are considered inferior or different. Bullying is typically not the fault of the victims as they are not usually the cause but the fault of the bullies who need to tear others down to feel superior.
Cyber Bullying shares every characteristic of the previously discussed bullying except that it is perpetrated through electronic technology and electronic communication. It usually involves threats, name calling. Harassment, humiliation, to name a few.
Dating violence is when someone you are seeing romantically harms you in some way, whether it is physically, sexually, emotionally, or all three. It can happen on a first date, or once you've fallen deeply in love. Dating violence is never your fault.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control through physical, sexual, or emotional abuse over another intimate partner.
Gender Discrimination is the unfair, biased and condescending treatment of people based on their gender. II stems from the society's assignment of roles based on whether one is male or female. This assignment presents the impression that these allocated roles cannot be swapped successfully between men and women. Hence, a gender is relegated to the background even when they possess characteristics that qualify them for roles the society has not assigned them.
Gender Inequity is closely related to gender discrimination except that when males and females are assigned same roles, one group is better compensated than the other not based on their performance but on their gender.
Harassment based on gender or gender identity is a form of sex discrimination. It occurs when one person harasses another person for reasons relating to their gender or the gender with which they identify.
Non-consensual sexual contact is any intentional sexual touching, however slight, with any body part or object by an individual upon another individual without consent. Intentional sexual contact includes contact with the breasts, buttocks, or groin, or touching another with any of these body parts; making another person touch any of these body parts; and any intentional bodily contact in a sexual manner.
Non-consensual sexual intercourse is sex between two parties where one person does not expressly agree to have sex.
Parenting and Pregnancy Discrimination prohibit discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and parental status-in educational programs and activities.
Rape is an aggravated sexual assault in which sexual intercourse or sexual penetration is achieved, in the presence or absence of coercion, without the victim's consent. Statutory rape occurs when the victim is not old enough to grant a legal consent to sexual relations.
Retaliation is any action taken against a person as a repercussion for speaking up against a cause or defending one that does not suit the interests of the persons taking the actions. Despite being frowned upon by the law, retaliation, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)," is the most frequently alleged basis of discrimination in the federal sector and the most common discrimination finding in federal sector cases."
Relationship Violence is the intentional, intimidating, and repetitive verbal, physical, emotional, and psychological abuse of an intimate partner by an intimate partner in order to gain total control or power over the relationship. Relationship violence is not always noticeable at the beginning of a relationship but can escalate with time.
Sexual Assault is any sexual contact or activity that occurs without the recipients willing and expressive consent. Often misunderstood, sexual assault is not narrowed down to just sex intercourse, but also to activities that suggest sex.
Sexual Harassment according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is "Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature." It could range from subtle looks to touch to expressive verbal communication.
Sexual Misconduct is the umbrella term for any misbehavior of a sexual nature. That includes the aforementioned sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Stalking is a compulsive, obsessive, usually irritating attention and monitoring by one or more persons. Under more serious situations, stalking could be a criminal offence of first or second degree depending on whether or not the victim is put in reasonable fear of death.
