Title IX and Sexual Misconduct

William Carey University is committed to providing its students, faculty, and employees with an environment free from sexual misconduct in any form, including sexual assault or sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of nonconsensual sexual conduct. Sexual misconduct of any person is inappropriate, unacceptable, and contrary to Christian Biblical standards of conduct expected of all members of the university community, students, faculty, and staff.

The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for monitoring and overseeing Title IX compliance at the University. Please feel free to contact the university's Title IX Coordinator with questions about the policy or to make any complaint regarding sexual misconduct. 

Jordan Hickson
Title IX Coordinator
(601) 318-6433
Tatum Court, Accounts Payable Office
WCU Box 2
710 William Carey Parkway
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
jhickson@wmcarey.edu

POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of William Carey University to comply with all federal and state laws. William Carey University is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of the University community.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sexual misconduct and discrimination on the basis of sex in the University’s programs and activities. This Policy is designed to ensure a safe and non-discriminatory educational and work environment and to meet legal requirements, including: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; relevant sections of the Clery Act of 1990; relevant sections of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It does not preclude application or enforcement of other University or school policies. The University will respond to complaints or reports about prohibited conduct with measures designed to stop the behavior, eliminate any such discrimination, and prevent the recurrence of the prohibited conduct. The University has an obligation to investigate and address complaints or reports of sex discrimination and misconduct, including but not limited to, sexual violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating/domestic violence, retaliation, and other related forms of sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, as identified in 34 CFR § 106, whenever it becomes aware of such a complaint or report. In all such instances, there will be a presumption that the accused party is not responsible for the alleged conduct. This presumption may be overcome at the conclusion of a hearing or informal resolution process, where there is a sufficient basis, by a preponderance of the evidence, to support a finding that the accused violated this policy.

Students, staff, and faculty who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or sexual misconduct in violation of Title IX should follow the procedures outlined in the University’s Title IX procedures to report these concerns immediately to the Title IX Coordinator identified below. Title IX prohibits retaliation by any student and/or employee against anyone who reports an alleged Title IX violation.

Complaints of discrimination or sexual misconduct or inquiries, regarding the application of Title IX and other laws, regulations and policies prohibiting discrimination and sexual misconduct may be directed to Jordan Hickson, Title IX Coordinator, 710 William Carey Parkway, Box 2, Hattiesburg, MS  39401, 601-318-6433; jhickson@wmcarey.edu. Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, District of Columbia Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC  20202-1475. Telephone: (202)453-6020; Facsimile: (202)453-6021; Email: OCR.DC@ed.gov.

This Title IX policy governs the conduct of William Carey University students; faculty; staff; and third parties (i.e., non-members of the University community, such as vendors, alumni/ae, visitors, or local residents).

This Title IX policy applies to all University programs and activities. All campus community members are responsible for their actions and behavior, whether the conduct in question occurs on campus or in another location. Members of the campus community have a responsibility to adhere to University policies and local, state and federal law. As a result, this policy applies both to on-campus and off-campus conduct. An instance of sexual misconduct must have been perpetrated against a person while in the United States to be considered within the jurisdiction of Title IX.

Third parties are both protected by and subject to this policy. A third party may report or file a complaint concerning a violation of this policy committed by a member of the University community. A third party may also be permanently barred from the University or subject to other restrictions for failing to comply with this policy. This policy applies to conduct that occurs on university property, and in certain circumstances, off university property (i.e., off-campus). This policy applies to conduct that occurs off campus when the conduct is associated with a University-sponsored program or activity, such as distance learning including online courses, travel, research, or internship programs; when it utilizes University owned or provided technology resources; or when such conduct may have a nexus on campus, such as a continuing adverse effect or creation of a hostile environment on campus.

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