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Sexual Misconduct - Title IX

Title IX

“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.”

The University of Mount Union is committed to creating an environment free of harassment and sexual misconduct as well as complying with all requirements as set forth by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Discrimination on the basis of sex or gender will not be tolerated by any of the University’s education programs or activities. This includes, but is not limited to sexual harassment; sexual violence; sex or gender-based bullying; hazing; stalking; relationship violence (including domestic violence and dating violence); as well as failure to provide equal opportunity in admissions, activities, employment or athletics. Sex and gender violations will be addressed by Title IX complaint protocols which are jointly coordinated by the offices of human resources and student affairs.

The University Title IX Co-Coordinators ensure that all campus constituencies receive proper training and review all reported allegations of sex or gender discrimination including alleged violations of the University’s Policy for Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination for all Faculty, Students, Employees and Third-Parties.

The Title IX Grievance Pool, Decision-Maker Pool, and Appeal Decision-Maker Pools are made up of University employees (both faculty and staff) who are specially trained to serve in these pools. Members of the Grievance Pool can serve as both investigators and advisors. Their role is formally outlined in the Policy. The chief diversity officer & senior Title IX administrator and the Title IX co-coordinators, with approval from the president, select the members of the pools.

      Title IX Team

      1. Pool Members

         

        The following individuals will serve as pool members for the 2024-2025 academic year:

        • Tara Canestraro – Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees
        • Dr. Mandy Capel – Director of Graduate Programs, School of Education; Professor, M.Ed. Education
        • Marci Craig – Director of Human Resources
        • Dawn Daugherty - Assistant Dean of Students and Director of International Student Services
        • Shawnta Forester – Director of Student Diversity Programs
        • Alexis Hedrick - Director of Student Accessibility Services
        • Crystal Johnson - Prospect Research Manager
        • Dr. Chad Korach – Director of the School of Engineering and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
        • Nathaniel LaRiccia – Director of Athletic Communications
        • Marci Muckleroy – Director, Center for Student Success
        • Lynn Riggle - WRMU Coordinator and Box Office Manager
        • Caitie Scott – Director of the Mount Union Fund
        • Sara Sherer – Director of Residence Life
        • Lee Smith – Director of Physical Plant
        • Randolph Smith – Associate Director of Enrollment Services
        • Casey Tonn – Director of Student Involvement and Leadership
        • Andrea Williams – Assistant Clinical and Academic Coordinator, Physical Therapy
      2. Decision Makers

         

        • Mark Black – Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Title IX Administrator
        • Andrew Boothe – Associate Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator 
        • Caitlin Clark – Vice President for Enrollment
        • Marci Craig – Director of Human Resources
        • Dr. Heather Duda – Founding Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities
        • Melissa Gardner – Chief Communication Officer
        • Michelle Gaffney – Associate Dean of Students
        • Dr. Sandy Madar - Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
        • Sara Sherer – Director of Residence Life
        • Max Sullivan – Director of Student Conduct
      3. Appeal Decision Makers

         

        • Mark Black – Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Title IX Administrator
        • Andrew Boothe – Associate Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator 
        • Marci Craig – Director of Human Resources
        • William Cunion – Vice President for Academic Affairs
        • John Frazier – Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students
        • Michelle Gaffney – Associate Dean of Students
        • Melissa Gardner – Chief Communication Officer
        • Max Sullivan – Director of Student Conduct

         

       

      Training Information

      1. Training Topics

         

        Members of the Title IX Pools receive regular training on the following topics:

        • The scope of the University of Mount Union’s interim policy on Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Nondiscrimination and Procedures
        • How to conduct investigations and hearings that protect the safety of Complainants and Respondents, and promote accountability
        • Implicit bias
        • Disparate treatment and impact
        • Reporting, confidentiality, and privacy requirements
        • Applicable laws, regulations, and federal regulatory guidance
        • How to implement appropriate and situation-specific remedies
        • How to investigate in a thorough, reliable, and impartial manner
        • How to uphold fairness, equity, and due process
        • How to weigh evidence
        • How to conduct questioning
        • How to assess credibility
        • Impartiality and objectivity
        • How to render findings and generate clear, concise, evidence-based rationales
        • The definitions of all offenses
        • How to apply definitions used by the University of Mount Union with respect to consent (or the absence or negation of consent) consistently, impartially, and in accordance with policy
        • How to conduct an investigation and grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes
        • How to serve impartially by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias
        • Any technology to be used at a live hearing
        • Issues of relevance of questions and evidence
        • Issues of relevance to create an investigation report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence
        • How to determine appropriate sanctions in reference to all forms of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation allegations
        • Recordkeeping


        Specific training is also provided for Appeal Decision-Makers, intake personnel, Advisors (who are University of Mount Union employees), and Decision-Makers. All Pool members are required to attend these trainings annually.

        At the discretion of the Title IX Coordinators, the University may also retain external contractors to serve as pool members. 

      2. Training Materials

         

        The materials used to train Title IX Officers will be posted here as training is completed, which will occur annually during the Fall Semester.  Additional training may occur throughout the year to ensure that all pool members are appropriately trained.


        View Training Material

         

       

      External Inquiries - OCR

      1. Office of Civil Rights

         

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

        Customer Service Hotline: (800) 421-3481
        Fax: (202) 453-6012
        TDD: (877) 521-2172
        Email: OCR@ed.gov

        The Ohio Office of Civil Rights can be found at:

        • Cleveland Office
          • U.S. Department of Education
          • 1350 Euclid Avenue
          • Suite 325
          • Cleveland, OH 44115
          • Telephone: (216) 522-4970
          • Facsimile: (216) 522-2573
          • Email: OCR.Cleveland@ed.gov

         

        For complaints involving employees: http://www.eeoc.gov/field-office/cleveland/location (EEOC)

        Here the Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination for all Faculty, Students, Employees and Third-Parties Policy can be found. The linked copy here is the most recent copy of the Policy. If/when updates are made to the Policy they are posted here and this is the current policy for Mount Union. 

        When a situation involving sexual misconduct has occurred, there are many decisions a person must make both immediately following and during her/his recovery from such a personal violation. The University of Mount Union provides services that can assist the student with this process; the Sexual Misconduct Responder Program is designed for this purpose. More information or a list of current responders, visit the Sexual Misconduct Responder Program page.