About Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972
"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 program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
20 U.S.C. § 1681(a)
Title IX at Western
Western Washington University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs and activities that it operates. As a recipient of federal funds, the University is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 to not discriminate in such a manner. Some key issue areas in which recipients have Title IX obligations are:
- recruitment, admissions, and counseling;
- financial assistance;
- athletics;
- sex-based harassment;
- treatment of pregnant and parenting students;
- discipline;
- single-sex education; and
- employment.
Sex and gender-based discrimination can also include unwelcome conduct that is sexual in nature, otherwise known as sexual harassment. Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking are extreme forms of sexual harassment that are prohibited under Title IX (See POL-U1600.04).
Additionally, Western prohibits retaliation against any person for opposing an unlawful educational practice or policy, or made charges, testified or participated in any complaint action under Title IX.
It is Western’s goal to maintain an environment that is free from all forms of illegal harassment and discrimination. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Reporting Responsibilities
Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time throughout the year, including during non-business hours. See the Reporting Guidelines to learn more.
Western's Title IX Coordinator
The Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance serves as Western’s Title IX Coordinator. Within this role, the Title IX Coordinator has the following functions and strategic priorities:
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Provides advice and oversight on policies, preventive educational programs, resources and services required under Title IX;
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Oversees all complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence, as well as identifies and addresses any patterns or systematic problems that arise during the review of complaints;
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Responds promptly to reports of sexual harassment as defined in POL-U1600.04 by contacting the complainant to discuss the availability of supportive measures, consider the complainant’s wishes with respect to supportive measures, inform the complainant of the availability of supportive measures with or without the filing of a formal complaint, and explain to the complainant the process for filing a formal complaint.
Title IX Administrators
Title IX Administrators are those individuals who are involved in overseeing, investigating, adjudicating or facilitating an informal resolution process after a formal complaint of sexual harassment has been filed.
In compliance with the Title IX regulation Addressing Sexual Harassment, Title IX Administrators must serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias. See the Title IX Administrator Resources web-page to review the terms and concepts used to train Western's Title IX Administrators.
Daniel Records-Galbraith
Director, Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance
ADA Coordinator
Title IX Coordinator
Western Washington University
Old Main 126; MS 9021
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 650-3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay)
Email: crtc@wwu.edu
For External Complaints
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Telephone: 800-421-3481
FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR@ed.gov