Title IX and Policies

The Title IX Compliance Office is committed to responding to discrimination – including sexual harassment and sexual violence – in an effective, timely and transparent manner. We are equally committed to ensuring any individuals involved in these incidents will be treated as respectfully and fairly as possible. 

Learn more about KansasCOM/KHSC'S commitment to ensuring that our students are supported, treated fairly and respectfully, and given the appropriate tools to navigate the Title IX process.    

 Title IX Training Materials

https://icslawyer.com/posting-for-review-tcs-title-ix-team-training/

https://icslawyer.com/posting-for-review-ics-august-12-title-ix-training/

“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

Federal Title IX Resources

Kansas City Office

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320
Kansas City, MO 64106

816-268-0550
[email protected]
Fax: 816-268-0559

Headquarters

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100

Customer Service Hotline:
800-421-3481
[email protected]
Fax: 202-453-6012
TTY: 800-877-8339
Office for Civil Rights Website

For Students

Are you or someone you know a victim of sexual discrimination, harassment, or violence?

We take these matters very seriously. Our goal is to ensure your safety and to inform you about the resources, confidential support, and reporting options available to you.

Do I have to report an incident?

The choice to report an incident is up to you. Seeking assistance from available KansasCOM/KHSC resources does not mean you are obligated to make a formal report and go through a formal investigation; however, our office can provide you with tools and support to help you through the process if you choose to do so.

It is important to note that a victim can also choose to initially remain confidential and later decide to file a formal complaint or report the incident to a law enforcement agency.

How can the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office help?

If you choose to report that you are the victim of sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, we will provide you with a written explanation of your rights and outline relevant options available to you. We will also provide you with access or a referral to various resources and services including counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, legal assistance, visa and immigration assistance, and student financial aid, among others available, both on and off campus.

Do I receive support if I don't file a formal report?

Even if you do not make a formal report, you will still have access to accommodations. Our priority is your safety. You are not obligated to make a report to the university or police, or to participate in any investigation or disciplinary process at any time and can still receive support.

How are complaints managed?

• Complaints against students are governed by the Title IX and Equity Office. 
• Complaints against faculty and staff are governed by the Title IX and Equity Office.
• For more information about the process, contact the Title IX Compliance Office, or the office of student affairs.

Can I file a police report? 

Making a formal report with KansasCOM/KHSC does not preclude your right to file a police report and seek criminal prosecution. If you choose to file a police report, we will assist you in notifying the appropriate law enforcement authorities about the incident.

How can you assist me with safety-related issues? 

We can help you make reasonable adjustments to your academic, living, transportation and working situations to ensure you are safe. For more information, contact Title IX Coordinator Dr. Nicholas Palisch at 316-315-5471 or Director of Campus Security at

How can you protect me from retaliation? 

KansasCOM/KHSC has a strong policy against retaliation, including retaliation by third parties. We will not tolerate retaliation or discrimination against persons who, in good faith, report or make a complaint of sexual discrimination or harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking.

Nor do we tolerate retaliation or discrimination against those who testify, assist, participate in or are a party to, any investigation, proceeding or hearing involving such complaints.

If you experience retaliation in any form, please contact Title IX Coordinator Dr. Nicholas Palisch at 316-315-5471 or the office of student affairs as soon as possible so that the retaliatory behavior can be addressed, and disciplinary action can be taken if possible.

Your Rights

Your rights if you report a violation

When you report a matter handled by the Title IX Compliance Office, you will be treated respectfully and fairly as we work toward a fair and impartial investigation and resolution. During the investigation process, you have the right to:

• Engage a support person or an advisor who can be with you for the duration of the investigation.
• Request a review by the provost of any decision made by a USHIB Panel regarding responsibility or any decision by the vice chancellor for student affairs regarding sanctions.
• Freedom from retaliation regarding your complaint. Any report of retaliation will be taken seriously and fully investigated by the Title IX Compliance Office as a separate offense.

Your rights if you are accused of committing a violation

When you are a Respondent in a matter handled by the and Title IX Compliance Office, you will be treated respectfully and with the benefit of the presumption of innocence. During the investigative process, you have the right to:

• A prompt, fair and impartial investigation, and resolution.
• Engage a support person or an advisor who can be with you for the duration of the investigation.
• Request an Appellate Officer of any decision made by the hearing panel regarding responsibility or any decision by the vice chancellor for student affairs regarding sanctions.
• Freedom from retaliation regarding the matter. Any report of retaliation will be taken seriously and fully investigated by the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office as a separate offense.

Accommodations and supportive measures

Help with classes

• Any party, witness or person supporting someone involved in a Student Title IX Grievance Process, Student Gender Equity Grievance Process, or other Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office investigation can request assistance with reasonable academic accommodations from the Title IX Office.
• Anyone who has experienced sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking can request assistance with reasonable academic accommodations from Dr. Richard Winslow it is not necessary to make a report to the Title IX Compliance Office or anyone other than Rick Winslow to receive this assistance.

Other accommodations

The Title IX Compliance Office can provide reasonable accommodations (No Contact Orders, housing changes, changes to work schedules, etc.) for anyone affected by sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking who requires changes in academic, living, transportation and working situations. You do not need to file a formal report with KansasCOM/KHSC or with the police to receive this support. These measures will be kept confidential as long as it does not impair KansasCOM/KHSC 's ability to provide such measures.

Supportive measures

A member of the Title IX Compliance Office could determine that supportive measures (not including expulsion) – whether directed at the parties involved, witnesses, or a broader university population – are necessary, appropriate, and reasonably available to prevent and/or respond to sexual harassment or sexual violence. These include:

• A No Contact Order
• Course/classroom assignment changes
• Medical and counseling services
• Academic support services and accommodations
• Additional training and education

If you are a victim of sexual discrimination, harassment, or violence, we encourage you to speak with someone as soon as possible.

It is your decision to determine with whom you would like to speak about the incident, and the path you choose – whether remaining confidential, launching an investigation or filing a police report. It is entirely up to you.

The Title IX Compliance Office is available to ensure you have the support you need, and to address any issues you choose to report, quickly, effectively, respectfully and based on your personal preferences.

Unsure about making a report?

If you are uncertain whether you would like to file a formal complaint, we recommend you contact a member of the KansasCOM staff to discuss the options that are available to you. You may also opt to contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Reporting anonymously

If you choose not to file a report with the police or with the Title IX Compliance Office, it is strongly encouraged that you to file an anonymous or confidential report via Guardian

This will help the university identify misconduct patterns regarding a particular location, method, or offender, and will also ensure we can notify the greater campus community to potential dangers if needed. Those who report anonymously can choose to include contact details or choose to omit them if they do not want the Title IX Compliance Office to contact them.

Levels of confidentiality

There are three groups of employees, each of whom have the ability to offer different levels of confidentiality – those who are able to maintain confidentiality except in certain situations, those who are required to report incidents to the Title IX Compliance Office, and those who are privileged by law to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Confidential resources

These groups are able to speak with victims in confidence. They may report an incident that occurred at KansasCOM/KHSC for the Clery Report, but they are not required to provide identifying information. Disclosures to these employees will not trigger an investigation into an incident against the victim's wishes. They include:

• Counseling Services

While trained staff in these offices are able to maintain a victim's confidentiality within the realm of KansasCOM, they may be required by state law to report incidents of abuse involving a minor, potential self-harm, or imminent threats to others. These individuals might be required to testify or provide documents if criminal or civil litigation is initiated, and subpoenas are issued.

 If an alleged perpetrator poses a serious and immediate threat to the KansasCOM community, a timely warning may be issued by the university but any identifying information about the victim would not be included.

 Mandatory reporters

These employees, including all faculty and most staff members, are required to report all of the details of an incident, including identifying information of both the victim and alleged perpetrator, to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator.

• Title IX Coordinator
• Campus Security
• Any person in an authority

If a victim reports an incident to this type of an employee, referred to under federal policy as mandatory reporters, they are required to report the incident to their supervisor or a member of the Title IX Compliance Office.

At that point, the incident will be investigated unless the victim requests to maintain confidentiality.

When confidentiality is requested, the Title IX Compliance Office will not formally investigate the incident or take disciplinary action against a reported perpetrator (except in special circumstances); however, victims will still receive necessary protection and support.

Assistance includes referrals to other university administrators for academic support or accommodations; access to disability services or health/mental health services; changes in living, working or course schedules; referrals to victim advocacy organizations, legal services, and/or visa and immigration services.

For Respondents (Accused)

If an individual seeks disciplinary action against you or is pursuing a formal complaint alleging sexual discrimination or harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, the Title IX Coordinator will meet with you to outline next steps.

As part of the process, a hold will be placed on your academic account until the investigation has been completed. While the hold might be lifted by request, a notation will appear on the transcript that states: “Student is the subject of a pending non-academic student conduct investigation."

Investigation

• The Title IX Compliance Office investigation will follow the Student Handbook, the Student Title IX Grievance Process, and the Student Grievance Process to ensure all parties are treated respectfully and the investigation is executed as thoroughly, fairly, and as efficiently as possible.
• Title IX members receive annual training on issues related to sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence and dating violence, as well as training on conducting investigations.
• All parties involved in any investigation are allowed to be accompanied to any meeting or hearing as part of these processes by an adviser of their choice to provide support, as long as the adviser is not a fact witness.

Resolution

• A student found “more likely than not" to have committed a violation of the USCC may be subject to a range of sanctions, even if they are a first-time offender, including restricted access and activity on campus, No Contact Orders, counseling, institutional service, educational workshops, probation, suspension, or expulsion from the university.
• Each complaint is handled on a case-by-case basis. A Complainant may also choose to file and pursue a criminal complaint.
• In accordance with federal law, the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office will notify both the Complainant and Respondent of the final outcome with respect to these proceedings, including sanctions imposed against the Respondent. Both parties will have the opportunity to request review as set forth in the USCC, the Student Title IX Grievance Process, and the Student Gender Equity Grievance Process.

Retaliation is not tolerated

• KansasCOM/KHSC has a strong policy against retaliation, including by third parties. The university will not tolerate retaliation or discrimination against persons who, in good faith, report or make a complaint of sexual discrimination or harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.
• Nor does KansasCOM/KHSC tolerate retaliation or discrimination against those who testify, assist, participate in, or are a party to, any investigation, proceeding, or hearing involving such complaints.
• If you experience retaliation in any form, please contact Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Nicholas Palisch at 316-315-5471 or the Office of Student Affairs as soon as possible so that the retaliatory behavior can be addressed, and disciplinary action can be taken if possible.

Navigating the process

Common feelings after being accused of sexual misconduct

Whenever a student is accused of a policy violation, emotional responses will differ from person to person, especially if the policy violation in question is associated with sexual misconduct. Being accused of sexual misconduct can be a painful and challenging experience. It is important to remember that your responses to these accusations are normal reactions to a difficult situation. If you are accused of sexual misconduct, you may deal with some unanticipated emotions. Below are examples of feelings you may experience:

• Anger: Anger is a common emotion whenever someone has been accused of sexual misconduct. This is an appropriate response; however, the important factor to consider when dealing with anger is how you process through the anger. There are several ways you can vent any anger you are experiencing internalizing your anger could lead you to become irritable, anxious or even depressed. When dealing with anger, it is important not to resort to unhealthy manners of coping including the consumption of alcohol, the use of drugs, causing harm to yourself or others, or destructive behavior.
• Fear: Fear can take many forms. You may be experiencing fear of the unknown as the outcome of the investigation can impact your status at the university. You may also fear how those closest to you perceive you along with other members of the university community. Also, it is common to be afraid of someone retaliating against you. If you feel as though you are being retaliated against, please see the section on retaliation above.
• Impact on Your Daily Life: With all the emotions listed, you may feel like your daily life has been impacted. While participating in an investigation, it may become challenging to pay attention in class and follow through with your coursework. Other areas of your life that may be impacted include sleep routine, change in appetite, increase in anxiety and depression. Accommodations may be available. If you have questions regarding accommodations, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at 316-315-5471.
• Feeling Alone: Being accused of sexual misconduct may cause you to feel alone since the allegation is against you. Taking on the burden of the allegation may cause you to withdraw from your support networks because you may feel like it is “your problem." It is common for individuals who are accused to prefer not to discuss the situation with anyone for fear of embarrassment or how it may be perceived by others. However, talking with a counselor or adviser may help with processing your experiences and feelings.

All these emotions can be overwhelming, and it is important to remember there are resources both on and off-campus to assist you.

How to help a friend

• Listen from your friend's point of view and be supportive.
• Accept your friend as a person, even if you have questions about your friend's behavior.
• Provide an atmosphere where your friend can express honest feelings.
• Be honest with your friend about how much support you can provide.
• Help your friend generate alternatives and options for dealing with emotions and the situation.
• Let your friend make the ultimate decision about how to respond.
• Realize you may also be affected and seek counseling if necessary.
• Do not offer insincere help or support.
• Do not pre-judge the situation.
• Do not blame the student who has brought the complaint.
• Do not assume you know how your friend wants to be treated.
• Do not break your friend's trust by telling others what might have happened in conversation or on social media.
• Recognize your own limitations. No one expects you to be an expert in counseling or sexual assault; therefore, avoid making strong recommendations.
• Remember that sharing details of your friend's experience online or in person with other students could be upsetting to your friend or the student who brought the complaint, so please refrain from discussing the process with anyone other than your friend or the confidential resources you seek.

Confidentiality Requests

If you are a victim and would like to maintain your confidentiality when reporting an incident that violates KansasCOM/KHSC Discrimination and Harassment Policy, your request will be strongly considered.

Because these requests limit the university's ability to meaningfully investigate an incident and pursue disciplinary action against the accused, the Title IX Compliance Office must weigh your request carefully against an obligation to provide a safe, nondiscriminatory environment for our campus community. Although rare, there may be times when a victim's request for confidentiality cannot be honored.

Options for complete confidentiality

If you want to discuss possible harassment in a more confidential setting or clarify your feelings about proceeding, the Title IX Compliance Office team recommends you consider consulting a social worker, therapist, or member of the clergy. These individuals are permitted by law to assure greater confidentiality.

In addition, any member of our community may contact our counseling specialist, Amanda Root for a confidential discussion and, if desired, referral to off-campus resources.

Ms. Amanda Root, MS, LCPC.
316-315-5639
[email protected]

Factors considered in confidentiality requests

A range of factors are weighed when considering a victim's request for confidentiality, including:

• Any circumstances suggesting an increased risk of the reported perpetrator committing additional acts of sexual violence or other violence. For example, whether there have been other sexual violence complaints about the same reported perpetrator; whether the reported perpetrator has a history of arrests or records from a prior school indicating a history of violence; or whether the reported perpetrator threatened further sexual violence or other violence against the victim or others; and whether the sexual violence was committed by multiple perpetrators.
• Circumstances that suggest that there is an increased risk of future acts of sexual violence under similar circumstances such as whether the victim's report reveals a pattern of perpetration (e.g., via illicit use of drugs or alcohol) at a given location or by a particular group.
• Whether the sexual violence was perpetrated with a weapon.
• Whether the victim is a minor; and
• Whether the university possesses other means to obtain relevant evidence of the sexual violence (e.g., security cameras or personnel, physical evidence).

The presence of one or more of these factors could lead the university to investigate and, if appropriate, pursue disciplinary action. If none of these factors is present, the university will likely respect the victim's request for confidentiality.

Make A Report

https://kansascom.guardianconduct.com