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Title IX / Sex Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct at UCM

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) seeks to foster a safe and healthy environment built on mutual respect and trust and is committed to affording equal opportunity in employment and education. UCM believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience our educational environment and University activities free from discrimination.

Sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct will not be tolerated. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic, including sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and gender (non)conformity.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sexual discrimination.  Title IX states, “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.”  All persons have the right to pursue educational opportunities, including athletic programs, scholarships, employment and other activities, free from sex discrimination, including sexual violence and harassment.

Sex-based discrimination in public schools and universities also implicates legal rights under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act, which is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice and may implicate institutional responsibilities under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as the Missouri Human Rights Act enforced by the Missouri Human Rights Commission.  

University Policies and Procedures

The University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Complaint Resolution Procedures may be found here:

Policy Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Harassment, and Sex Discrimination

UCM is committed to protecting all participants in connection with all University programs and activities, including academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, employment and other programs of the school, whether those programs take place on or off campus. UCM is fully committed to developing and fully implementing effective sexual discrimination and misconduct policies and to providing training for students and staff.

By law, UCM has a responsibility to respond promptly and equitably to reports of sexual misconduct.  The University’s grievance process acts independently from any civil or criminal proceedings. 

The University sexual misconduct grievance process:

  • Provides options and support for members of the University community who have experienced sexual misconduct, while also providing an equitable resolution process. 
  • Provides equitable treatment and equal rights for the complainant and respondent – no disciplinary action will be taken until a determination on responsibility has been made.
  • Will provide a timely, fair, and impartial resolution of the complaint, under the evidentiary standard of preponderance of the evidence, i.e., more likely than not that the alleged conduct occurred. 
  • Is carried out by University officials who have received training on these issues, are trained to conduct an investigation and make a determination that promotes safety, equity, and accountability free of bias.
  • Provides the complainant and the respondent the right to have a support person/advisor present during all aspects of the investigation and resolution process.
  • Allows a complaint to be resolved informally with mutual agreement if the respondent is not a UCM employee.
  • Provides the complainant and respondent the opportunity to review and comment on all evidence and investigation report.
  • Provides the complainant and respondent the opportunity to cross examine parties through an advisor during a formal complaint hearing process.
  • Ensures that both the complainant and the respondent will be notified simultaneously in writing of the status of the complaint at all stages of the process, including investigation, hearing and appeals.
  • Allows complainant and respondent the right of appeal following the hearing officer’s decision in a formal complaint.
  • Prohibits retaliation against a complainant for making a complaint and against anyone else for participating in the investigation. 

Role of the Title IX Coordinator

Title IX requires designation by a school of a Title IX Coordinator or Coordinators. Duties and responsibilities of the University’s Title IX Coordinators include monitoring and oversight of overall implementation of not just Title IX compliance at the University, but all laws and prohibitions covered by this policy, including coordination of training, education, communications and coordination of the sexual misconduct grievance process for faculty, staff, students and other members of the University community and investigation of complaints of sex discrimination and other sexual misconduct under university policy. The University may designate Deputy Coordinators as needed to assist in fulfillment of the Coordinator’s duties and responsibilities.

 

UCM Title IX Coordinator(s) Contact information:

Corey Bowman, Associate Vice President for Student Services/Title IX Coordinator
Office of Student Experience and Engagement
214 Administration Building
bowman@ucmo.edu
660-543-4114 

Rick Dixon, Employee Relations Specialist/Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Office of Student Experience and Engagement, 
213 Administration Building
rdixon@ucmo.edu
660-543-8958 

Heather Jennings, Title IX Investigator/Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Office of Student Experience and Engagement
213 Administration Building
hjennings@ucmo.edu
660-543-8030

 

Office for Civil Rights

If you do not wish to contact one of the above University Title IX Coordinators or other designated University resources with your questions or concerns regarding sex discrimination or sexual misconduct at the University, you may contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) with the U.S. Department of Education.

Missouri's regional OCR office is located in Kansas City and is available to provide assistance:

U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut St., Suite 320
Kansas City, MO 64106
Telephone: 816-268-0550
Fax: 816-268-0599
E-mail: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov

Syllabus Statement for Faculty and Staff (for Mandated Reporters)

Faculty should list the following in their syllabi:

The University of Central Missouri seeks to foster a safe and healthy environment built on mutual respect and trust. Sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence and other forms of sexual misconduct will not be tolerated.  All faculty and most staff are considered mandated reporters by the University and must disclose all information they receive about sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator. As a faculty or staff member of the University, I am a mandated reporter.  This means I am required to report information shared with me regarding sex discrimination and sexual misconduct. 

If you, or someone you know, has experienced sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, please know assistance and options are available.  UCM strongly encourages all members of the community to seek support and report incidents of this nature to the Title IX Coordinator.  Anyone who wishes to report sexual misconduct, to learn more about the University process and options available, or to utilize a confidential resource, please visit ucmo.edu/titleix.

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