Sexual Harassment/Sexual Violence (Title IX)
Columbus State Community College is committed to supporting a welcoming, respectful and healthy college environment. In furtherance of this commitment, College Policy 3-44, “Sexual Harassment/Sexual Violence” prohibits sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence. Sexual violence includes:
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Stalking
- Sexual assault
College Policy 3-44 applies to students, employees and third parties with a relationship to the College, whether on or off campus. This includes:
- Students (including high school students participating in Columbus State programs and visiting students)
- Faculty, staff and interns
- Applicants for employment or education
- Campus visitors
Columbus State wants individuals who report experiencing sexual harassment/sexual violence and individuals who have been accused of the same to understand how the College addresses such concerns, the rights and options of each party, and availability of supportive measures and resources as well as the College’s legal responsibilities. Learn more by exploring the topics below or clicking the links on the menu on the right-hand side of the page.
If you are in crisis or need immediate assistance, please call 9-1-1.
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. "Education programs and activities" include all of a school's operations, including employment and school-sponsored athletics and activities (on or off campus).
Sex discrimination is any act or failure to act based in whole or in part on a person's or group's sex (a protected class), that when viewed objectively, adversely affects benefits, privileges, working conditions or educational conditions or negatively impacts a substantial College interest.
Sexual harassment/sexual violence is a specific type of sex discrimination and as such, it is addressed by College Policy 3-44 and College Procedure 3-44 (A).
Not every type of sex discrimination is sexual harassment/sexual violence, so each case is evaluated by Compliance on an individual basis. Sex discrimination that is not sexual harassment/sexual violence is addressed by College Procedure 3-43 (A).
While both College procedure and the law can address instances of alleged sexual violence, it is essential to note that the definitions of sexual violence term may differ between College procedure and Ohio law, because College procedure dictates our College’s administrative process rather than a legal process.
List of definitions of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and consent
Additionally, the College uses specific terms to refer to the harmed party and the accused in situations of potential sexual harassment.
- The complainant is an individual who is alleged to have experienced potential sexual harassment.
- The respondent is an individual who is alleged to have committed potential sexual harassment.
The College’s procedure to address an allegation of sexual harassment is a multi-step process.
The formal process involves making a complaint, a member of the Compliance Office providing written notice to the parties (the complainant and the respondent), a neutral investigation, sharing evidence for review with the parties, and writing a report. The matter is then referred to a hearing in Human Resources when the respondent is an employee or the Office of Student Conduct when the respondent is a student. The process also includes an appeal opportunity.
It is important to note that not all information reported to Compliance results in a formal investigation. To determine how to address the concern, the Compliance Office considers the wishes of the complainant and what response is most appropriate to support a healthy College environment given the specifics of the situation.
Please see College Procedure 3-44 (A) for more information about how the College addresses allegations of sexual harassment.
The College uses a secure reporting format to address concerns in a prompt and efficient manner. The online report form is sent directly to the Compliance Supervisor/Title IX Coordinator and Compliance Officers. This is the College's preferred method of reporting.
IMPORTANT: Your report will be reviewed during business hours. If you have an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or the Columbus State Police Department at (614) 287-2525.
To learn more about reporting, including anonymous reporting and external reporting methods, visit: https://www.cscc.edu/about/compliance/share-a-concern.shtml
The Compliance Office is your partner in supporting student and employee success. You can contact any member of the Compliance Office team via email or phone to share a concern or consult about a situation.
Renee Byers, Deputy General Counsel
rbyers7@cscc.edu (614) 287-5519
Jolene Broshious, Compliance Supervisor/ Title IX Coordinator
jbroshious@cscc.edu (614) 287-5106
Retaliation in any form against an individual who brings forth a good faith allegation of discrimination and/or harassment, participates in an investigation of discrimination and/or harassment or supports someone involved in a report of discrimination and/or harassment is strictly prohibited by College policy and state and federal law.
Examples of retaliation include, but are not limited to, intimidation; threats or actual violence against the person, their family or property; adverse educational or employment consequences; ridicule; bullying; and ostracism or attempting any such actions. Retaliation also includes encouraging someone else to take such actions against an individual for reporting discrimination and/or harassment, participating in a discrimination and/or harassment investigation or supporting someone involved in a report of discrimination and/or harassment.
Retaliation also includes the following
- Intimidating, threatening, coercing or discriminating against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by College Procedure 3-44 (A) Sexual Harassment/Sexual Violence or by Title IX and its implementing regulations;
- Intimidating, threatening, coercing or discriminating against any individual because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing under Procedure 3-44 (A) or under Title IX and its implementing regulations; and
- Pursuing charges against an individual for code of conduct or disciplinary violations that do not involve sex discrimination or Sexual Harassment (Type A), as defined by Procedure 3-44(A), but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination or a report or Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment (Type A), as defined by Procedure 3-44 (A) for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Procedure 3-44 (A) or under Title IX and its implementing regulations.
Retaliation in any form against an individual who exercises their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and its Amendments (ADA/ADAAA) and/or under Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is strictly prohibited. Examples of retaliation include, but are not limited to, intimidation; threats or actual violence against the person, their family or property; adverse educational or employment consequences; ridicule; bullying; and ostracism or attempting any such actions. Retaliation also includes encouraging someone else to take such actions against an individual who exercises their rights under ADA/ADAAA and/or FMLA.
Retaliation is a serious violation that can subject the offender to sanctions, and allegations of retaliation should be promptly reported to the Compliance Office.