Title IX -Muskegon Community College

Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination

MCC Student Rights & Resources for Title IX

Title IX Code of Conduct Brochure

Faculty/Staff Title IX Quick Resource Guide

Commitment to Our Campus Community

Muskegon Community College is committed to developing and sustaining a healthy and diverse learning and working environment that recognizes the value of each individual. MCC advances a safe, pleasant and respectful culture for all, free from sexual violence and sexual harassment as well as dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. At MCC such behaviors are forms of sexual discrimination and are not tolerated and are prohibited by College policy and the law.

If you have experienced sexual violence, it’s not your fault. Sexual violence occurs when a person ignores or denies someone else’s wishes through violent sexual means. No one ever asks to be raped or sexually assaulted. Even if you had too much to drink, or used drugs, or froze and did not fight back, or said “yes” to one type of sexual intimacy but not to what happened – you are not to blame for harm being done to you.

The Law

Title IX (1972)
“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. “

Sexual harassment and sexual violence is prohibited in the education context by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; in the employment context by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; and Section 304 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.

At MCC, survivors of sexual misconduct shall have the right to:

Receive prompt and survivor-sensitive cooperation of campus personnel for recommendations of obtaining, securing and maintaining evidence, including recommendations to receive a medical examination at a local emergency room when necessary to preserve evidence;
Expect notification from campus personnel of your options to prevent further unwanted contact by alleged assailants, including issuing of “no contact” orders and changing academic and on-campus working schedules, provided such changes are available;
Receive information describing options to pursue a criminal complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency, to pursue the College’s disciplinary process, or to pursue both processes simultaneously;
Be notified of existing campus and community-based medical, counseling, mental health, and student services for survivors of sexual assault, whether or not the assault is formally reported to campus or civil authorities;
Be informed of the right to confidential or anonymous testing for sexually transmitted infections, HIV,
and pregnancy;
Be free from any threat of retaliation or other attempt to prevent the reporting of sexual misconduct;
Be notified of the opportunity to identify witnesses and other evidence to the College investigation and resolution process, information about procedures, and written notice of the outcome in a manner equivalent to the process of the accused;
Have a support person of choice accompany them throughout the disciplinary process. While a support person is there to support, they may not speak for you or act as your legal counsel;
Be informed in a timely fashion (60 days) of the outcome of the process concurrently with the accused;
Have the right to appeal the outcome.

Campus Reporting

The College can only respond to allegations of sexual harassment or sexual violence that are reported to campus authorities. Anyone who believes they have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct or related retaliation is encouraged to report such behavior promptly. If in doubt, please report. Reporting to the College does not mean you have to report to local authorities, but you have the option to report to local authorities. MCC can assist with reporting to the proper law enforcement agency. Anonymous reports for victims of sexual misconduct can be submitted below. Please note that MCC’s response will be limited without the reporter’s information.

Reports may be made to MCC Title IX Coordinator or Title IX Deputy Coordinators (listed below under Campus Resources) or to Campus Safety.

Confidential reporting is only available when reporting to MCC counseling staff when you may not want to trigger an investigation.

Sexual Misconduct: Report It Here

Other Support Systems and Advocates

There are plenty of trustworthy people at MCC who want to support you and can point you in the right direction. They can be mentors, faculty and/or staff. However, it is important for you to remember they cannot guarantee confidentiality.

Retaliation

MCC prohibits retaliation against individuals who engage in reporting a complaint of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating or domestic violence, and/or stalking. Retaliatory behavior is regarded as additional misconduct and may lead to increased sanctions.

As always, in the case of an emergency call 911 to reach the Police Department.