Title IX (pronounced Title Nine)
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, or "Title IX," is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs. The law is a key tool for ensuring that all people have an equal opportunity for education, regardless of their sex or gender.
“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 educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Title IX protects students and employees of educational programs that receive federal funds; that includes students and employees of K-12 schools, colleges, universities, as well as educational programs in libraries, museums, vocational programs, and prisons. Title IX protects people of all sexes and genders from discrimination, not just women.
How do we define Title IX Sexual Harassment?
The 2020 Title IX Regulations define sexual harassment broadly to include any of three types of misconduct that – on the basis of sex – jeopardize the equal access to education and the educational programs/activities that Title IX is designed to protect.
These three types of misconduct are:
Any instance of an employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the college on an individual's participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
Any unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies a person equal access to the college's education programs or activities;
Any instance of sexual assault (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v)), including dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking (as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). For definitions of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking, please see the CAC Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy at centralaz.edu/titleix.
Title IX protections apply in and out of the classroom.
The law against sex discrimination covers all aspects of an educational program. This includes school-sponsored extracurricular activities and internships, athletics, financial aid and scholarships, career counseling, and lab and clinical work.
Title IX protects pregnant and parenting students.
Title IX makes it illegal to discriminate because of sex, which includes discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, including recovery. Title IX also ensures the right to take medically necessary leave and to be free of harassment, intimidation, or other discrimination because of pregnancy-related conditions.
Further, any rules concerning parental, family, or marital status may not apply differently based on sex. For example, colleges cannot provide women with time to bond with or care for their children and not men.
Title IX Grievance Process
Central Arizona College seeks to provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of sexual violence, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communications constituting sexual harassment as prohibited by state and federal law. Discrimination under this Policy includes an unequal treatment of a student or employee based on their actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. This Policy prohibits sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in any college education program or activity, which means all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs. Inquiries concerning the application of this Policy or the filing of a specific complaint may be referred to CAC’s Title IX Coordinator at (520)494-5106/(520)840-1175, or at titleix@centralaz.edu.
File an anonymous report online at centralaz.edu/titleix.
CAC is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti‐discrimination. CAC strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of the following protected classes and/or characteristics, in all of its operations, programs and activities, including but not limited to employment, promotion, admissions and access to all career and technical programs: race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information contact: Laura Shepherd, Title IX Coordinator at 520-494-5106 or titleix@centralaz.edu; Section 504/ADA Coordinator at studentaccessibility@centralaz.edu or Human Resources at human.resources@centralaz.edu.