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G-28-2 Title IX: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking

Title IX refers to the federal law prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on college campuses. The policies listed in this section apply only to qualifying Title IX allegations specifically prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. According to the Federal Office for Civil Rights and the U. S. Department of Education, Title IX’s reach is limited in scope. However, state of Oregon laws and COCC policies prohibit more activities than Title IX. See G-28-3 and N-3 for policy and procedure details.

It is important to note that sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking may be committed by any person upon any other person, regardless of the sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity of those involved.

The following conditions must be met for an incident to be considered a potential Title IX complaint:

  • An incident must take place within the geographic boundaries of the United States;
  • An incident must take place on property owned or controlled by the College, at COCC-sponsored events, or in buildings owned or controlled by COCC’s recognized student organizations;
  • The complainant must be participating in or attempting to participate in an education program or activity at the time of filing the complaint; and
  • The complainant must report the incident(s) to an “official with authority” (see G-28-0.1 for contact information).

Additionally, to qualify as sexual harassment under Title IX, the incident must be considered severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person(s) equal access to an education program or activity, as defined under the reasonable person standard. This standard does not apply to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking.

Alleged sexual harassment actions that do not fall within the above scope may be reported as a potential violation of COCC’s sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking victim policy, G-28-3.