TitleIX and Anti-Discrimination

What is Title IX?

UNK adheres to Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (20 U.S.C. .1681 et seq.), a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities, including athletics departments, receiving federal financial assistance.

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."

Title IX applies to all educational institutions, both public and private, that receive federal funds. This means all students, faculty and staff are protected by Title IX. Compliance with Title IX is a shared responsibility of an entire institution, from top-level administration to individual staff members. Institutions are required to investigate any complaints of gender discrimination. In addition, all students and employees must be notified of the name, office address and telephone number of the designated Title IX coordinator.

Key Aspects of UNK's Title IX Policy:

  1. Scope of Sexual Misconduct: Sexual misconduct encompasses various forms of inappropriate behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. These actions are considered violations of both UNK's policies and federal law. 

  2. Reporting Obligations:

    • Responsible Employees: All UNK employees, except those designated as confidential resources, are classified as "Responsible Employees." They are mandated to report any incidents of sexual misconduct they become aware of to the Title IX Coordinator. This means that if you share any incident of sexual misconduct to staff or faculty, they are legally obligated to report it. 
    • Reporting Channels: Individuals are encouraged to report incidents to both the Office of Equity and Compliance (OEC) and the UNK Police Department. This dual reporting facilitates evidence collection, thorough investigations, and potential legal action. However, you can report a Title IX violation without also having to report it to the UNK Police Department. 
    • How to file a complaint: You can access the form to file a complaint here Links to an external site..

  3. Title IX Coordinator: The Title IX Coordinator oversees UNK's compliance with Title IX regulations, manages investigations into sexual misconduct allegations, and ensures the implementation of supportive measures. This is the current Title IX Coordinator and their contact information:

    Alex Straatmann
    Office of Equity & Compliance
    Warner Hall Suite 2134
    Kearney, NE 68849-4310
    Phone: 308.865.8400
    Email: straatmanna2@unk.edu

  4. Training and Education: UNK mandates annual training on sexual misconduct prevention and response for all students and employees. These training modules, developed by Catharsis Productions, cover topics such as university policies, reporting options, identification of sexual misconduct, support services, and bystander intervention techniques. Training durations vary:

    • Undergraduate Students: Approximately one hour
    • Graduate/Professional Students: Approximately 45 minutes
    • Faculty and Staff: Approximately 45 minutes

    Access to training is available through the Bridge platform and you will receive email notifications when your trainings are due.

  5. Supportive Measures: Regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed, UNK offers supportive measures to complainants. These measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to education, protect safety, and deter sexual harassment. Supportive measures are individualized and may include academic accommodations, housing adjustments, or no-contact orders.

  6. Grievance Procedures: UNK follows a defined grievance process for handling reports of sexual misconduct. This process includes:

    • Investigation: A thorough and impartial investigation to determine if a policy violation occurred.
    • Hearing: A hearing process that allows both parties to present evidence and witnesses.
    • Appeals: Both parties have the right to appeal decisions based on procedural irregularities, new evidence, or conflicts of interest.

    Detailed procedures are outlined in UNK's Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures.

  7. Privacy and Confidentiality: While complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, UNK strives to protect the privacy of all individuals involved in a sexual misconduct report. Information is shared only with those who need to know to ensure a fair process and to provide necessary support.

  8. Retaliation Prohibition: Retaliation against individuals who report sexual misconduct or participate in related proceedings is strictly prohibited. UNK is committed to protecting all community members from retaliation and will take appropriate action if retaliation occurs.

For a comprehensive understanding of UNK's Title IX policy, including detailed procedures and resources, please refer to the official documents available on the UNK Title IX webpage Links to an external site..