What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits educational institutions from discriminating against anyone on the basis of sex. Title IX states that:
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 any institution receiving federal financial assistance, including state and local educational agencies. Educational programs and activities that receive federal funds from the Department of Education must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner. Also, a recipient may not retaliate against any person for opposing an unlawful educational practice or policy, or because a person made charges, testified or participated in any complaint action under Title IX.
The College’s Title IX Coordinator is the official designated by GRCC to ensure compliance with this policy on behalf of the College. This includes ensuring compliance with Title IX and GRCC’s Title IX program, as well as all other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Title IX Coordinator maintains the primary responsibility for ensuring appropriate education and training, and for coordinating the College’s efforts related to the intake, investigation, resolution and implementation of supportive measures to stop, remediate and prevent sexual harassment, retaliation, and other conduct prohibited under GRCC’s Title IX policy.
Title IX Policy & Requirements
GRCC addresses allegations of violations of Title IX under GRCC's 6.5 Title IX policy. The full text of this policy can be located on GRCC's policies website.
Under Title IX, Grand Rapids Community College is required to:
- Address all sex discrimination in its education programs or activities. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and includes: quid pro quo harassment, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence.
- Address sexual harassment which occurs in its education program or activities. This includes investigation and resolving cases of sexual harassment promptly and in accordance with federal, state, and local law, as well as providing support to students and employees who experience sexual harassment.
- Support students and employees who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and sexual harassment outside GRCC's education program or activity.
Complaints about incidents of any of these forms of gender discrimination should be reported to:
Lisa Thomas, Ed.D.
Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
lisathomas2@grcc.edu or titleix@grcc.edu
(616) 234-2353 or (616) 234-4999
or any of GRCC's Deputy Coordinators.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Grand Rapids Community College is committed to creating an inclusive learning and working environment that recognizes the value and dignity of each person, and it is the College’s policy and practice to provide equal educational, employment and other opportunities to all individuals.
Grand Rapids Community College does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. In addition, Grand Rapids Community College does not discriminate, and prohibits discrimination, on the basis of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, marital status, familial status, gender, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, height, weight, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to GRCC’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both. GRCC’s Title IX Coordinator is its: Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance & Title IX Coordinator.
The Title IX Coordinator’s contact information is:
Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance & Title IX Coordinator
Bostwick Office Suites
140 Bostwick Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
titleix@grcc.edu
(616) 234-4999
To report information or make a complaint regarding conduct that may constitute sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, or discrimination or harassment based on any other protected characteristic, please contact GRCC’s Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Title IX Coordinator; complete the electronic form located on GRCC’s webpage; or refer to GRCC’s policies, including the Title IX Policy and/or Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Equal Opportunity Policy for additional reporting options and access to grievance procedures.