What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law that protects all individuals associated with any institution that accepted federal financial aid from any form of gender discrimination and harassment, including sexual violence – specifically, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and sexual harassment.
It is the policy of LaGrange College to maintain an environment for students, faculty, administrators, staff, volunteers, and visitors that is free of all forms of discrimination and harassment, including sexual misconduct. The College has enacted a Sexual Misconduct Policy to reflect and maintain its institutional values and community expectations, to provide fair and equitable procedures for determining when this Policy has been violated, and to provide options for individuals and the community in response to violations of this Policy. A copy of the policy can be found at https://www.lagrange.edu/about/safety-and-security/sexual-misconduct/index.html
Who is responsible for Title IX compliance at LaGrange College?
LaGrange College’s Title IX Coordinator oversees college compliance regarding all Title IX related matters, including the investigation of complaints.
Title IX Coordinator:
Dr. Maranah Sauter
TitleIX@lagrange.edu
706-880-8201
Will I be contacted by the College if my child reports a Title IX complaint?
The Title IX Coordinator will not contact the parents or guardians of any involved parties in a Title IX investigation. The College is prohibited from doing so by the Family Educational and Rights to Privacy Act FERPA). Under FERPA, parents cannot access their child’s educational records if the child is enrolled in post-secondary education, regardless of age unless the child gives written permission to allow access to the parents/guardians through a FERPA waiver.
May I contact the Title IX Coordinator?
The Title IX Coordinator can answer any general questions regarding the College’s Title IX Policy and procedures. However, in order to discuss specifics of a Title IX incident, process, or outcome with a parent or legal guardian, your child needs to provide a written waiver explicitly allowing the Title IX Coordinator permission to speak with you directly. Your child can request a FERPA waiver from the Title IX Coordinator.
Will local law enforcement be contacted regarding a Title IX complaint?
The College is not permitted to report Title IX complaints to local law enforcement agencies on behalf of your child. Only the person who alleges sexual misconduct can decide to notify or not notify law enforcement. However, the College strongly encourages all individuals to seek assistance from law enforcement immediately after an incident of sexual misconduct. T he College will help any LaGrange College community member get to a location where they feel safe from immediate danger.
In addition, at the request of a student, the College will arrange transportation to the hospital and assist with coordinating with law enforcement.
How is a Title IX Investigation different from a criminal investigation?
A criminal investigation by law enforcement seeks to determine whether an individual violated criminal law. In contrast, Title IX investigations conducted by the College determine whether an accused party has violated the College’s policy on sexual misconduct and what disciplinary actions may be appropriate. An individual has the right to pursue a College investigation by filing a formal complaint with the Title IX Coordinator and also simultaneously pursuing criminal charges through local law enforcement. A reporting party may elect to file a complaint with only the College or with only the local law enforcement. The processes are not mutually exclusive.
How will the College support my child if they are involved in a Title IX investigation?
Upon receipt of a report of alleged Prohibited Conduct, the College will provide reasonable and appropriate supportive measures designed to eliminate any existing hostile environment and protect all Parties involved. The College will make reasonable efforts to communicate with the Parties to ensure that all safety, emotional, and physical well-being concerns are being addressed. Supportive measures may be implemented regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed by the person who alleges sexual misconduct, and regardless of whether a crime is reported to Campus Safety or local law enforcement.
What are supportive measures available to my childundefined?
Supportive Measures are non-disciplinary services offered as appropriate, reasonably available, and without fee or charge to both the person who alleges sexual misconduct and the person alleged to be responsible for the reported sexual misconduct undefined before or after the filing of a Formal Complaint or where no Formal Complaint has been filed. These Supportive Measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the College’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the person who alleges the sexual misconduct and the person alleged to be responsible for the reported sexual misconduct undefined, including measures designed to protect the safety of all Parties or the College’s educational environment or to deter sexual harassment.
Supportive measures may include no- contact directives, changes in class or work schedules, changes in College-owned living arrangements, or any other supportive measures that the College deems appropriate. Likewise, the College may work with a reporting student to provide access to on-campus counseling services, provide information regarding off-campus services, increased security monitoring, additional academic support, or even withdrawal from class (or classes) without penalty.
If a formal Title IX complaint is filed , how long will it take to resolve the matter?
All investigations will be conducted in a timely and impartial manner. Typically, investigations take anywhere from several weeks to a few months to complete. However, both Parties will be informed of the projected timeline for the conclusion of the process and notified if there are significant delays.
What can parents and families do to support a student involved in a Title IX Investigation?
Listen – If your child chooses to disclose a traumatic experience to you, trust that they chose you for a reason. The most helpful thing you can do is listen to what they have to say. Listening can be as simple as being there as they process the situation on their own. Do not worry if you are unsure exactly what to say. It is more important to make sure they feel heard, and that they can communicate with you without fear of judgment.
Validate – Acknowledge your child’s feelings of sadness, fear, anger, or confusion. Let them know that these feelings are normal.
Refer & Support – Be engaged, but be patient. Your child should be given the space to make their own choices about what they want to do, including what resources they want to access. It can be helpful to present options and then to support them in reaching out to the appropriate resources.
Take Care of Yourself – You may be experiencing many of your own emotions and thoughts, and it is critical that you take care of yourself. This means knowing and expressing your own boundaries and limits in supporting your child and loved one and being aware of your own experiences of trauma. Seek out support services in your area if necessary.
What campus and community resources are available to support my child?
On-Campus Resources:
- Ratoya Mason, M.A – Director of Counseling (706-880-8177; rmason3@lagrange.edu)
- Rev. Ashley Jenkins – Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life (706-880-8004; ajenkins@lagrange.edu)
Off-Campus Resources:
- Harmony House, 24-hour hotline, 706-885-1525
- LaGrange Police Department, 911 for emergencies, Domestic Violence Investigator, 706-883-2606
- Sexual Assault Support Center (Columbus, GA), Crisis Line 706-571-6010
- West GA Rape Crisis Center (Carrollton, GA), Crisis Line 770-834-7273
- National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233
- Domestic Abuse Helpline, 888-742-5754