Breadcrumb
Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct & Retaliation
The University of Central Missouri (UCM) seeks to foster a safe and healthy environment
where discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation will not be tolerated
in university programs, activities, employment and education. The University prohibits
discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic, including age, race,
color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex stereotypes,
sex characteristics, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, national origin,
veteran status, genetic information, disability, and all other legally protected characteristics
in matters of admissions, employment, education, or in the programs or activities
of the University.
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
UCM's Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, or Retaliation Grievance Process
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 discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation policies and to providing training for students and staff.
By law, UCM has a responsibility to respond promptly and equitably to reports of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation. The University’s discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation grievance process acts independently from any civil or criminal proceedings.
The University’s discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation grievance process:
- Provides options and support for members of the University community who have experienced discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or retaliation, 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 appropriate.
- 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 Equity Administrator/Title IX Coordinator
Duties and responsibilities of the University’s Equity Administrators/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 discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation grievance process for faculty, staff, students and other members of the University community and investigation of complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation under university policy. The University may designate Deputy Equity Administrators/Title IX Coordinators as needed to assist in fulfillment of duties and responsibilities.
UCM Equity Administrators/Title IX Coordinators Contact information:
Dr. Corey Bowman
Associate Vice President for Student Services
Equity Administrator/Title IX Coordinator
Office: 214 Administration Building
bowman@ucmo.edu
660-543-4114
Heather Jennings
Deputy Equity Administrator/Title IX Coordinator
Office: 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 Equity Administrators/Title IX Coordinators or other designated University resources with your questions or concerns regarding discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct or retaliation 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:
Kansas City Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
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 are encouraged to list the following in their syllabi:
The University of Central Missouri (UCM) seeks to foster a safe and healthy environment where discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation will not be tolerated in university programs, activities, employment and education. The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic, including age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, marital status, pregnancy or parental status, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, disability, and all other legally protected characteristics in matters of admissions, employment, education, or in the programs or activities of the University.
All faculty and most staff are considered mandated reporters by the University and
must disclose all information they receive about discrimination, harassment, sexual
misconduct or retaliation to the Equity Administrator/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 discrimination, harassment,
sexual misconduct and retaliation.
If you, or someone you know, has experienced discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct
or retaliation, 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 Equity Administrator/Title IX Coordinator. Anyone who wishes to report discrimination,
harassment, sexual misconduct or retaliation, to learn more about the University process
and options available, or to utilize a confidential resource, please visit this page.
