Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits
sex discrimination on the basis of sex in an educational institution's programs or
activities, including employment, academic, educational, extracurricular, and athletic
activities (both on and off-campus).
The protections of Title IX extend to sexual assault and misconduct that impairs or
interferes with access to equitable educational and employment opportunities. It applies
to all members of the campus community, including students, District employees, individuals
doing business with the campus, those using campus facilities, and those who engage
in volunteer activities.
TITLE IX BASIC FACTS
- As a recipient of federal financial assistance, Compton College is subject to Title IX requirements.
- Title IX requires colleges and universities to implement measures in attempts of preventing sex discrimination in campus programs and activities.
- The new regulations have defined sex harassment to include quid pro quo sexual harassment, hostile environment, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and retaliation.
- Title IX requires colleges and universities to promptly respond to reports of sex discrimination.
- Title IX protection extends to a broad array of college programs, benefits, and services, including, but not limited to, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, admissions/recruitment, pregnancy, athletics, employment, recruiting, hiring, extracurricular activities, funding, and access.
- Once an “Official with Authority” at a college is aware of a sex discrimination, Title IX requires the college to take “prompt and effective action” to stop the harassment, prevent the recurrence, and remedy the effects of the situation.
What Are My Rights Under Title IX?
You have the following rights under Title IX, to the extent applicable within the District:
- You have the right to fair and equitable treatment and shall not be discriminated against based on your sex.
- You have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all extracurricular activities, including athletics.
- You have the right to inquire of the athletic director at your school or appropriate District personnel as to the athletic opportunities offered by the school.
- You have the right to apply for athletic scholarships.
- You have the right to receive equitable treatment and benefits in the provision of all the following related to athletics, if any are provided by the District:
- Equipment and supplies;
- Scheduling of games and practices;
- Transportation and daily allowances;
- Access to tutoring;
- Coaching;
- Locker rooms;
- Practice and competitive facilities;
- Medical and training facilities and services; and
- Publicity.
- You have the right to have access to a gender equity coordinator to answer questions regarding gender equity laws.
- You have the right to contact the State Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation to access information on gender equity laws.
- You have the right to file a confidential discrimination complaint with the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the California Department of Education if you believe you have been discriminated against or if you believe you have received unequal treatment on the basis of your sex.
- You have the right to pursue civil remedies if you have been discriminated against.
- You have the right to be protected against retaliation if you file a discrimination complaint. (California Education Code section 221.8.)
For more information on your rights under Title IX please visit the following websites:
Reporting an Incident
Compton College encourages all applicants, current and former students, faculty, staff, and community members to report incidents of protected class and sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator. There are two (2) reporting options: submitting an Incident Report and filing a Formal Complaint.
An Incident Report is a means of alerting the Director of Diversity, Compliance, and Title IX to a situation. Upon receipt, the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the impacted individual(s) with information regarding support, resources, and options regarding moving forward. In nearly all situations, the submission of an incident report does not initiate a formal process and the impacted individual(s) will have the District determine what, if any, reporting/judicial options they choose to pursue.
Pursuant to the August 2020 Department of Education Title IX regulations, a Formal Complaint is the first step in a formal resolution process. The submission of a Formal Report informs the Director of Diversity, Compliance, and Title IX, about a situation and signals that you would like to initiate a formal process, such as an investigation or alternative/informal resolution. Upon receipt of a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will notify all impacted individual(s) of receipt and provide a rationale for acceptance or dismissal. It is significant to note that only individuals currently participating in or attempting to participate in District events or functions can submit a Formal Complaint. Additional information regarding the Formal Complaint submission process can be found by reviewing Administrative Regulation 3434 (Responding to Harassment Based on Sex under Title IX).
Reporting an Incident
Compton College encourages all applicants, current and former students, faculty, staff, and community members to report incidents of protected class and sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator. There are two (2) reporting options: submitting an Incident Report and filing a Formal Complaint.
An Incident Report is a means of alerting the Director of Diversity, Compliance, and Title IX to a situation. Upon receipt, the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the impacted individual(s) with information regarding support, resources, and options regarding moving forward. In nearly all situations, the submission of an incident report does not initiate a formal process and the impacted individual(s) will have the District determine what, if any, reporting/judicial options they choose to pursue.
Pursuant to the August 2020 Department of Education Title IX regulations, a Formal Complaint is the first step in a formal resolution process. The submission of a Formal Report informs the Director of Diversity, Compliance, and Title IX, about a situation and signals that you would like to initiate a formal process, such as an investigation or alternative/informal resolution. Upon receipt of a Formal Complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will notify all impacted individual(s) of receipt and provide a rationale for acceptance or dismissal. It is significant to note that only individuals currently participating in or attempting to participate in District events or functions can submit a Formal Complaint. Additional information regarding the Formal Complaint submission process can be found by reviewing Administrative Regulation 3434 (Responding to Harassment Based on Sex under Title IX).
File a Complaint
Filing Complaints with the District
The District has the responsibility to investigate and respond promptly and effectively to sex-based discrimination complaints, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. If the District knows, or reasonably should know, about sex discrimination, it must take action to eliminate the sex discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. For information on the discrimination complaint process, how to file a complaint with the District, and for the contact information for the District Title IX Officer, please contact Jennifer Burchett, Director of Diversity, Compliance and Title IX at (310) 900-1600 x2144 or via email at jburchett@compton.edu. Complainants are not required to use the District complaint process and can elect to file a complaint with an External Governmental Agency.
Filing Complaints with External Governmental Agencies
Complaints may also be filed with the following external governmental agencies.
Office of Civil Rights-Headquarters Office in Washington D.C.
Statute of Limitations for Title IX Complaints
Complaints filed through the District's complaint procedures alleging discrimination based on sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) pursuant to Title IX must be filed within the timelines specified within The District's Unlawful Discrimination Administrative Regulations AR–3435, which states:
The complainant must file any Formal Complaint not involving employment within one year of the date of the alleged discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory conduct or within one year of the date on which the complainant knew or should have 3 known of the facts underlying the allegation(s) of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. • The complainant must file any Formal Complaint alleging discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in employment within 180 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory conduct, except that this period shall extended by no more than 90 days following the expiration of the 180 days if the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged violation after the expiration of the 180 days.
External Governmental Agencies such as EEOC, CCR, OCR, and state and federal courts have their own statute of limitations. If you wish to file an external complaint, be sure to check with the governmental agency for their statute of limitations.
