TITLE IX
“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 of the Education Amendments of 1972.
TITLE IX
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC or the College) is committed to maintaining an educational and work environment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation. We comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and other applicable federal and state civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, national origin, disability, age, and other protected characteristics.
Walla Walla Community College enforces its Title IX policies consistent with the 2020 federal Title IX framework alongside specific Washington State Administrative Code (WAC) guidelines. Following federal court rulings that fully vacated the 2024 federal updates nationwide, the college continues to use structured grievance procedures, live hearings, and advisor-led cross-examinations.
For more information:
US Department of Education – Title IX and Sex Discrimination: Overview of the law
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funds. Title IX is most commonly associated with gender discrimination in sports and is credited with advancing participation of women in athletics. However, the scope of Title IX is much broader. It prohibits gender-based discrimination in all college programs and activities.
Title IX protection from discrimination extends to faculty, staff and students and includes such things as: sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, gender-identity and pregnancy. It also prohibits retaliation against anyone who makes or participates in a complaint.
Why is Title IX Important?
Title IX helps to foster safe and respectful college environments that better protect students, faculty, and staff from incidents of sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual violence, relationship violence, and abuse.
The safety of our students, staff, faculty, and visitors is our highest priority. Walla Walla Community College offers our campus community and professional staff the resources, training, and policies to help ensure a safe environment on and off campus. With these people, tools, and means in place, we are confident we have created a college in which people can learn and work at their best.
Who Can File a Report?
Anyone may report a concern about sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, or gender discrimination that impacts a person at Walla Walla Community College. The College encourages the timely reporting of any incidents of discrimination or harassment and will seek to protect confidentiality and privacy to the extent possible. All WWCC employees, including student employees, are required to report Title IX concerns.
To report unwanted or abusive behavior involving a WWCC employee, submit an Employee Report.
To report unwanted or abusive behavior involving a WWCC student, submit a Student Report.
Pregnant and Parenting Students and Employees
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC or the College) is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff with current, potential, or past pregnancy related conditions.
WWCC’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits students from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities, including pregnancy.
College Staff Obligations
When a student informs any employee of the College of the student’s pregnancy or related conditions, the employee must:
- Promptly provide the student, verbally or in writing, the Title IX Coordinator’s contact informationInform the student that the Title IX Coordinator can implement specific measures to prevent sex discrimination and ensure the student’s equal access to the College’s education programs or activities.
- The easiest way to connect a student with support is to direct them to the Pregnant Student Support Services Form. Students can use the form to request pregnancy-related adjustments, lactation spaces, or other support. Once submitted, the Title IX Coordinator will follow up with the student and help coordinate appropriate support.
- If an employee of the College reasonably believes that the Title IX Coordinator has already been notified of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, they are relieved of their responsibility to inform in this instance. Absent information about conduct that may reasonably constitute sex discrimination, employees of the College should not directly inform the Title IX Coordinator of a student’s pregnancy or related conditions.
- No employee of the College will approach a student unprompted and ask about their pregnancy or related condition or make assumptions about a student’s needs or medical status.
Student Rights
A student who is pregnant or parenting may be provided accommodations so that they are not excluded from any education program or activity. These accommodations are determined through a cooperative process between the Title IX Coordinator and the office of Disability Services on a case-by-case basis to determine reasonable accommodations for the student.
Employee Rights
Pregnant employees may request certain changes to their working environment to accommodate their pregnancy and health conditions after the birth of the baby, such as the need to breastfeed or express breast milk. For a full description of rights available to employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions refer to WWCC’s Policy and Procedures. Additionally, through the Family Medical Leave Act and Paid Family and Medical Leave, employee parents are entitled to time off after the birth of a baby, placement of a foster child, or adoption.
REPORTING
In case of an emergency, call 911.
In non-emergency situations, please report sexual harassment, sexual assault or any sexual misconduct here:
Please note the report form may be completed by any member of the Walla Walla Community College community who has experienced or otherwise become aware of an incident that may constitute a violation of the College’s Non-Discrimination & Harassment Policy and/or Title IX Grievance Policy.
The College will use the information provided to begin evaluating the complaint. If the form is incomplete or does not contain specific information, the College’s evaluation, any investigation and/or response may be limited. Please complete the form to the best of your ability.
If you need assistance completing this form or have questions regarding a possible Title IX issue, contact the Title IX Coordinator.
The Title IX Coordinator can address faculty, staff, and student concerns related to sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other actions that fall within the Colleges’ obligations under Title IX.
Title IX Coordinator, 504 Compliance Officer,
Executive Director of Human Resources
Stephanie Groom
Phone: 509.527.3676
stephanie.groom@wwcc.edu
Office Location: Main Building D
FACULTY AND STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
All WWCC employees are considered “responsible employees,” which means every employee is obligated to report any Title IX concern. For example:
- WWCC employees are required to report child abuse and neglect of a minor, under RCW 26.44.030, and as outlined in Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect.
- WWCC employees must report concerns immediately – the College must take action once a responsible employee has either actual or constructive notice of sexual harassment or misconduct.
- Actual – reported to you, even by a third party; you witnessed it; indirect notice from flyers posted on campus, media, online postings, videos; disclosed through assignments, applications, appeals
- Constructive – information we should have known (based on rumors, general knowledge, “everyone knows”)
- WWCC employees must be prepared to make modifications, if necessary, but only after consulting with the Title IX Coordinator
- WWCC employees must complete annual Title IX trainings
Prevention Practices
- Group work location planning – if students are to meet in person, remind them to meet in a public location versus a home
- Monitor any social media or online sites that are course or department related
- Disclose your reporting requirement to students
- Interrupt it – address problems, comments and behaviors as they occur
- Request a Title IX consultation/intervention – if you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Title IX Coordinator
Faculty Resources
- Faculty Against Rape – FAR is a volunteer-run collective dedicated to getting more faculty involved in confronting campus sexual assault as researchers, teachers, survivors’ advocates and policy reformers. FAR is committed to supporting faculty members who experience retaliation because of their efforts to address sexual assault on campus.
- How Syllabi Can Help Combat Sexual Assault – Chronicle of Higher Education blog