Gender/Sex Based Discrimination and Violence

The District’s determination of responsibility is a neutral, fact-finding process. The District will treat Complainants and Respondents equitably. The procedures will apply equally to both Parties. The District will not discipline a Respondent unless it determines the Respondent was responsible for sexual harassment at the conclusion of the grievance process.

The District contracts with North Coast Rape Crisis Team to provide no-cost additional services to Complainants and individual’s experiencing sex discrimination including sex-based harassment. 

A Complainant is an individual who allege that they are the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment.

How do I make a formal report of sexual discrimination or sexual misconduct?
You may file a formal complaint with the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, email or the online reporting form. The Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator will contact you to explain your rights and the College's Title IXGrievance Procedure. The Title IX Coordinator will ask you to briefly explain what happened (who, what, when, where). The Title IX Coordinator will discuss the availability of supportive measures such as academic flexibility requests or relevant resources to assist you during the resolution process.

You have the right to have an advisor of your choice present during this meeting. You may also request an advocate from the North Coast Rape Crisis Team accompany you throughout the process.

How long does the meeting take?
Although each case is unique, generally the initial meeting takes approximately one hour. The meeting may take place in via phone or zoom, but in person is preferred when possible.

What happens after the interview with the Title IX Coordinator?
After the interview, the Title IX Coordinator will discuss your options including whether or not you would like to file a formal complaint. The TitlIXIX Coordinator will also discuss supportive measures available to you. 

Who will be informed about my complaint?
The Title IX office shares information on a need-to-know basis with those involved in the investigation and resolution of the complaint. Generally, this includes the Title IXCoordinator, Deputy Coordinator(s), investigators, and hearing officers. During the formal complaint resolution process, the accused person (Respondent) and witnesses will be informed about the complaint.

Will my professors know about my complaint?
Some Complainants request interim academic measures such as extensions on assignments and rescheduled exams (if appropriate) during the resolution process. The Title IX Coordinator may need to make minimal details available to accommodate such requests. The TitlIXIX Coordinator will discuss this with a Complainant before initiating contact with a professor. 

Will there be a hearing?
The formal Title IX resolution process will include an investigation and hearing. The Title IX Coordinator will inform you of alternative Informal Resolution options that may also be available in your case. 

Do I have a right to appeal the decision?
A Complainant or Respondent may appeal the District’s determination regarding responsibility or the dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations. A Complainant or Respondent must
submit a written appeal within 5 business days from the date of the notice of determination regarding responsibility or from the date of the District’s notice of dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations.

Grounds for Appeal

The Title IX Coordinator will appoint someone to serve as the Decision-Maker on Appeal. In filing an appeal of the District’s determination regarding responsibility or the District’s dismissal of a formal complaint, the Party must state the grounds for appeal and a statement of facts supporting those grounds. The grounds for appeal are as follows:

• A procedural irregularity affected the outcome;
• New evidence was not reasonably available at the time the District’s determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made, and this new evidence could affect the outcome; or
• The District’s Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, or Decision-Maker had a conflict of interest or bias for or against Complainants or Respondents generally or the individual Complainant or Respondent that affected the outcome.

How can the Title IX Coordinator help me if I do not want to file a formal complaint?
The Title IX Coordinator can assist you even if you choose not to go through the formal complaint process. The Title IX Coordinator can arrange supportive measures such as academic flexibility, referrals to counseling, physical safety measures, and other steps to assist you in achieving your educational objectives.

What are Supportive Measures?

Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate and reasonably available. They are offered, free of charge to the Parties, to restore or preserve equal access to the District’s education program or activities. These measures are designed to protect the safety of all Parties, protect the District’s educational environment, or deter discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. 

Supportive Measures may include, but are not limited to: 

• Referral to counseling, medical, and/or other healthcare services
• Referral to the Employee Assistance Program
• Referral to community-based service providers
• Student financial aid counseling
• Education to the institutional community or community subgroup(s)
• Altering campus housing assignment(s)
• Altering work arrangements for employees or student-employees
• Safety planning
• Visa and immigration assistance
• Providing campus safety escorts
• Providing transportation assistance
• Implementing contact limitations (no contact orders) between the Parties
• Academic support, extensions of deadlines, or other course/program-related adjustments
• Trespass, Persona Non Grata, or Be-On-the-Lookout (BOLO) orders
• Timely warnings
• Class schedule modifications or withdrawals
• Increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus
• Any other actions deemed appropriate by the Title IX Coordinator or designee

A Respondent is an individual reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment

What information will I receive about the complaint?
Upon receipt of a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will provide the following notice in
writing, to the Parties:

• Notice of the District’s Title IX grievance process;
• Notice of the allegations of alleged sexual harassment with sufficient details known at the time and with sufficient time to prepare a response before any initial interview;
• Statement that the Respondent is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct and that a determination regarding responsibility is made at the conclusion of the grievance process;
• Notice that the Parties may have Advisor of their choice, who may be, but is not required to be, an attorney;
• Notice that the Parties may inspect and review any evidence obtained as part of the investigation that is directly related to the allegations raised in the formal complaint, including the evidence upon which the District does not intend to rely in reaching a determination regarding responsibility, and inculpatory or exculpatory evidence whether obtained from a Party or other source; and
• Inform the Parties of any provision in the District’s code of conduct that prohibits knowingly making false statements or knowingly submitting false information during the grievance process.

Can I have an Advisor present for my interview(s)?
Yes. Both Parties have the right to have an Advisor present for every meeting related to the case.

What does the Advisor do during the process?
The role of the Advisor is to provide support and assistance in understanding and navigating the investigation process. The Advisor may not testify in or obstruct an interview or disrupt the process. The Title IX Coordinator has the right to determine what constitutes appropriate behavior of an Advisor and take reasonable steps to ensure compliance with this procedure. A Party does not have a right to self-representation at the hearing; an Advisor must conduct any cross-examination. The District must provide an Advisor of its choice, free of charge to any Party without an Advisor in order to conduct cross-examination. If an Advisor fails to appear at the hearing, the District will provide an Advisor to appear on behalf of the non-appearing Advisor. To limit the number of individuals with confidential information about the issues, each Party may identify one Advisor.

What happens after my interview with the investigators?
The results of the investigation of a formal complaint will be set forth in a written report that will include at least all of the following information:

• A description of the circumstances giving rise to the formal complaint;
• A description of the procedural steps taken during the investigation, including all individuals contacted and interviewed;
• A summary of the testimony of each witness the Investigator interviewed;
• An analysis of relevant evidence collected during the investigation, including a list of relevant documents;
• A specific finding as to whether the allegations occurred using a preponderance of the evidence standard;
• A table of contents if the report exceeds ten pages; and
• Any other information deemed appropriate by the District.

The Investigator will not make a determination regarding responsibility. The Investigator may redact information not directly related to the allegations or privileged information. However, the Investigator will keep a log of information they do not produce to the Parties. The Investigator will provide this log only to the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator will not disclose the log to the Parties but will maintain the log in the TitlIXIX Coordinator’s file, in the event it later becomes relevant.

At least ten days prior to a hearing or other time of determination regarding responsibility, the District will send the investigative report to each Party and their Advisor, if any, the investigative report in an electronic format or a hard copy, for review and written response. The Parties will have at least ten days to submit a written response.

Will there be a hearing?
The formal Title IX resolution process will include an investigation and hearing. The Title IX Coordinator will inform you of alternative Informal Resolution options that may also be available in your case. 

Will my professors know about the complaint?
Some Respondents request interim academic measures such as extensions on assignments and rescheduled exams. As such, The TitlIXIX Coordinator may need to provide limited details to accommodate such a request.

Do I have a right to appeal the decision?
A Complainant or Respondent may appeal the District’s determination regarding responsibility or the dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations. A Complainant or Respondent must
submit a written appeal within 5 business days from the date of the notice of determination regarding responsibility or from the date of the District’s notice of dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations.

Grounds for Appeal

The Title IX Coordinator will appoint someone to serve as the Decision-Maker on Appeal. In filing an appeal of the District’s determination regarding responsibility or the District’s dismissal of a formal complaint, the Party must state the grounds for appeal and a statement of facts supporting those grounds. The grounds for appeal are as follows:

A procedural irregularity affected the outcome;
New evidence was not reasonably available at the time the District’s determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made, and this new evidence could affect the outcome; or
The District’s Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, or Decision-Maker had a conflict of interest or bias for or against Complainants or Respondents generally or the individual Complainant or Respondent that affected the outcome.

What is Title IX?
Title IXis a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools. It requires College of the Redwoods take action to prevent sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, and domestic violence (including dating violence). Title IXalso protects students from discrimination based on pregnancy status and ensures equal opportunity in athletics. Title IX requires 

Who is in charge of sexual misconduct cases at College of the Redwoods?
The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for processing reports of sexual misconduct as well as other sex discrimination complaints. The Title IX Coordinator will complete an initial assessment of the complaint and will provide oversight of the Title IX complaint process.

Title IX Coordinator Contact Information:

titleix@redwoods.edu

707-476-4133

What does the Title IX Coordinator do?
The Title IX Coordinator  has primary responsibility for oversight of College of the Redwoods compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. The Title IX Coordinator's role includes, but is not limited to:

• Coordination of the College’s effort to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements as it relates to Title IXlaws and regulations;
• Oversight of college-wide policies, procedures, education, training and outreach programming related to Title IX;
• Coordinating and executing in a timely manner the College’s response and investigation of complaints pursuant to Title IX
• Monitoring and oversight of implementation of the Title IX compliance.

Why does it take so long to process cases?
Investigators must be thorough in their approach. Depending on the number of witnesses or other parties, some investigations can take quite some time to gather all relevant facts and evidence. Parties will be provided with approximate timelines within the scope of College of the Redwoods policy.

Why aren’t the police investigating each report of sexual misconduct?
TitlIXIX requires colleges to address and remedy complaints of sexual misconduct & discrimination regardless of whether or not it is reported to law enforcement. In most circumstances, Complainants decide what option(s) to pursue: a campus investigation, filing a police report, both, or neither. The District contracts with the North Coast Rape Crisis Team to accompany survivors to file a criminal report, should they choose to do so. The College will fully cooperate with any police investigation.