TITLE IX

TITLE IX

Sexual Misconduct Prohibited by Civil Rights Law

Bellingham Technical College is committed to providing a learning and working environment characterized by mutual respect and fair treatment among all its constituents. An essential component of this environment is a strong ethic and practice of equality, acceptance, and nondiscriminatory interactions. Harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, gender identity or manifestation, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, or any other basis prohibited by college policy or by state or federal laws is unacceptable and will be addressed through this policy.

According to federal law, “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.”

Furthermore, Bellingham Technical College strives to provide a safe environment in which students and employees can pursue their education and/or employment free from the detrimental effects of sexual misconduct, which includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual assault, and other forms of non-consensual sexual behavior.

Sex- and gender-based harassment, discrimination or violence will be addressed through the College’s Grievance Rules - Discrimination and Harassment available online (Grievance Rules- Discrimination and Harassment).

The Title IX Coordinator handles a student complaint of harassment (bullying, sexual harassment, hazing,) sexual assault, sexual violence, sexual coercion, and rape, as well as violations of the Student Conduct Code. For the process in these instances, please see the Student Code of Conduct (WAC 495B-121) or contact the Title IX Coordinator at titleIX@btc.edu or 360.752.8440.

The Title IX Coordinator provides advice and oversight on policies, preventive educational programs, resources and services required under Title IX, and in addition, oversees all complaints of sexual harassment and sexual violence, as well as identifies and addresses any patterns or systematic problems that arise during the review of complaints.

Update: On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education released the Final Rule amending Title IX. The Final Rule specifies how recipients of Federal financial assistance covered by Title IX – including postsecondary institutions like BTC – must investigate and adjudicate allegations of sex-based discrimination.

BTC’s existing policies are currently in compliance with Title IX, but will require review to align with the new regulatory requirements. The new regulations will take effect on August 1, 2024. As in the past, BTC will comply with federal law and develop policies that support our students, employees, and campus community members. BTC’s Title IX Coordinator, Michele Waltz, is working closely with key internal and external stakeholders to review the new regulations and ensure BTC’s anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and practices fully comply with the new regulations.

BTC values input from all campus constituents, and if you would like to share any insights or feedback with the Title IX Coordinator, please email titleIX@btc.edu.

Note: The 2020 Department of Education federal regulations under Title IX, effective August 14, 2020, define sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct more narrowly than the Bellingham Technical College policy and require specific procedures for investigating and adjudicating allegations that meet the federal definitions and other criteria, such as where alleged conduct occurred. BTC will continue to address all complaints of sexual misconduct and will assess complaints to determine if BTC policy or federal rules apply. 

The Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer handles any investigation of an employee complaint based upon race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information and veteran status. For information on the process in these instances, please contact the Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer at hr@btc.edu or 360.752.8475.

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Something Happened to Me. Where do I get Help?

If you are in an emergency situation, please call the Campus Safety Director at 360.305.1006 or call 911. If you need after-hours crisis support, please call 911.

BTC Title IX Office

BTC is committed to supporting a culture of respect and non-violence. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual violence, we encourage you to speak with the Title IX Coordinator to discuss reporting options, supportive measures, and interim protective measures that are available to support you or your friend at BTC.

  • Reporting Options

    If you are involved in or have knowledge of an incident, please immediately contact at least one of the following:

    If you have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of pregnancy or parenting, including denial of reasonable pregnancy or parenting adjustments/accommodations, you are strongly encouraged to file an Incident Report on the Incident Reporting page of the BTC website by clicking the "File Report" button at the top of the page.

    Retaliation against any person for making a report or participating in an investigation is strictly prohibited. You have the right to report without further participation in an investigation.

  • Supportive Measures

    Supportive measures are actions that BTC can put into place that support a student or employee and allow them to access their education and workplace. Supportive measures are designed to address the impact of conduct and minimize the impact on the parties involved.

    Supportive measures can include confidential assistance, academic accommodations, and safety accommodations. Supportive measures are available with or without an investigation.

    You can request supportive measures by contacting the Title IX Coordinator or Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer. They will arrange a private meeting to discuss the request and how it is connected to the prohibited conduct covered by policy. You can also refer to the example list of available supportive measures below. Requesting supportive measures does not require disclosing all the details of what happened.

    Supportive measures may include:

    • Access to on-campus counseling services and assistance with referrals to off-campus care
    • Rescheduling of exams and assignments (in conjunction with appropriate faculty)
    • Providing alternate course completion options (with the agreement of the appropriate faculty)
    • Change in class schedule, including the ability to take an "incomplete," drop a course without penalty, or transfer sections (with the agreement of the appropriate faculty)
    • Change in work schedule (in conjunction with appropriate supervisor(s))
    • Voluntary leave of absence
    • Providing an escort to ensure safe movement between classes, activities, and employment responsibilities
    • Providing academic support services, such as tutoring

  • Interim Protective Measures

    Some limited interim protective measures may be implemented at the discretion of the College and designed for the safety of the individual(s) and the campus community. Any interim protective measure may be appealed to the Vice President of Student Services.

    A Reporting Party or Respondent may request a No Contact Letter or other protection, or the College may choose to impose interim protective measures at its discretion to ensure the safety of all parties, the broader College community, and/or the integrity of the process.

    All individuals are encouraged to report concerns about the failure of another individual to abide by any restrictions imposed by an interim measure. The College will take immediate and responsive action to enforce a previously implemented measure.

    Interim protective measures may include:

    • Imposition of campus No Contact Letter
    • Interim suspension or College-imposed leave
    • Limiting of an individual or organization's access to certain College facilities or activities pending resolution of the matter
    • Any other measure that can be tailored to the individuals to achieve the goals of this policy

  • Interim Suspension or Separation

    Where the report of prohibited conduct poses a substantial and immediate threat of harm to the safety of an individual, members of the campus community, or the performance of normal College functions, the College may place a student or student organization on interim suspension or may impose leave for an employee. Pending resolution of the report, the individual or organization may be denied access to campus, campus facilities, and/or all other Campus activities or privileges for which they might otherwise be eligible, as the College determines is appropriate. When interim suspension or leave is imposed, the College will make reasonable efforts to complete the investigation and resolution within an expedited time frame.

    The full provisions for interim suspension for students are contained in the Student Code of Conduct. Provisions for suspension of faculty members are contained in the Faculty Handbook/Collective Bargaining Agreement. Staff may be placed on leave at the discretion of the College and in line with the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement and College policy.

  • BTC Informational Resources

BTC Personal Counseling

BTC offers free, confidential personal counseling services to enrolled students. If you have experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual violence, we encourage you to see a confidential counselor to discuss your reporting options in detail and have the option to have someone there while you report. Please stop by the front desk in College Services Building (CS) or visit the counseling webpage to make an appointment, or call 360.752.8700 to leave a confidential voicemail.

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I Heard About Something. What Do I Do Next?

The best way to help a friend who has experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual violence is to believe, validate, and support them. If you are a friend of a survivor, encourage them to speak to a counselor. Counselors are a confidential resource available at BTC and are available during business hours. You can also contact a counselor, who can help answer questions about your role as a friend of a survivor. For after-hours assistance, contact RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or live chat online at their website at https://www.rainn.org/. 

Beyond that, keep these suggestions in mind:

  • Remain calm and collected. You may feel shock or anger, or want to retaliate, but expressing this will not be helpful to your friend. Do not try to scare your friend, or coerce them into feeling a certain way. A survivor of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual violence has already experienced a profound loss of control; the worst thing you can do is tell them how to feel or what to do. Provide information about resources and without significant bias.
  • Be patient and listen well. Listening will let your friend know that you hear them, understand, and care. It is important that you listen to what your friend tells you in a non-judgmental way. For the survivor, telling you about the sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual violence may be the first step towards recovery. By listening carefully, you can communicate genuine concern to your friend. By respecting silences in the conversation, you can convey acceptance. Let your friend decide what they would like to discuss and don't force the issue. Support your friend by allowing them to recover and take action at their own pace.
  • Help your friend feel safe. Assure your friend that they are not alone. Survivors often feel isolated, scared, and powerless. You can be the most helpful just by being there. Reassure your friend that you will not disclose any of the information that they are sharing with you. Make it known that they can trust you and that you have their well-being in mind.
  • Don't assume or judge. Allow your friend to share their own experience. Be respectful by not making assumptions about their situation or what happened. Judgements and evaluations are always to be avoided. Remember: accept, validate, support.
  • If the assault just occurred, your friend may not want to be left alone. Offer to stay with them. If you must leave, inform them and let them know when you will be back and offer to call someone they want to stay with them. Provide a protective environment. Help them seek medical attention if they want to access it. Offer to contact BTC Counseling, BTC's Title IX Coordinator, local law enforcement, or other supportive or reporting resources.
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I Think Someone Accused Me of Something. What Will Happen?

Being accused of interpersonal violence, or having someone that you know be accused can be stressful. It is important to seek support to determine how to best navigate this situation. Because all employees of BTC, except confidential resources, are required to report information related to interpersonal violence to the Title IX Coordinator, should you wish to speak with someone confidential, your on-campus options are:

If you have questions about BTC's formal disciplinary process, contact the Student Conduct Officer, Chris Eder, at ceder@btc.edu. The Title IX Coordinator can also answer questions about the process.

If you have received a notification that your conduct is under investigation, follow the directions in that letter or email and respond by the date listed. You will be informed of protections in the process, and be given an opportunity to provide information, witnesses, and/or a statement. You have the right to have an advisor of your choice present during any meeting or interview.

If you would like help finding an advisor, please contact the Title IX Coordinator and one will be provided to you at no cost.

If you would like interim supportive measures, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.

  • Evidence to Gather
    As soon as you are notified of an investigation, certain information should be gathered before too much time elapses so that you may submit it to the assigned investigator(s). For example, you might consider saving text messages, social media postings, emails, or voicemail messages that might prove relevant. If you have already deleted text messages, they might also be retrieved from your mobile phone company if you make the request during the current billing cycle. It can also be helpful to write down the names (or descriptions, if you do not have names) or possible witnesses, in case you later forget this information.
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Additional Supportive Resources

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Pregnancy & Parenting

Bellingham Technical College is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities including academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of schools. This prohibition includes discrimination against pregnant or parenting students.

Students may request reasonable adjustments based on general pregnancy or parenting needs or accommodations based on a pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition. Specific adjustments will be handled on a case by case basis and will depend on medical need and academic requirements. Some examples include:

  • Allowing for frequent trips to the restroom
  • Deadline extensions
  • Alternatives to make up missed work
  • Leniency in attendance/participation for medically necessary absences (including doctor's appointments, labor, and recover)
  • Priority registration

Adjustment requests may be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator's office at titleIX@btc.edu or 360.752.8440. The Title IX Coordinator will discuss with the requesting student their needs, and may ask for documentation that supports the requested adjustment(s).

Employees should contact the Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer at hr@btc.edu or 360.752.8475.

Reporting

If you have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on the basis of pregnancy or parenting, including denial of reasonable pregnancy or parenting adjustments/accommodations, you are strongly encouraged to file an Incident Report on the Incident Reporting page of the BTC website by clicking the "File Report" button at the top of the page. You may also contact:

Retaliation against any person for making a report or participating in an investigation is strictly prohibited. You have the right to report without further participation in an investigation.

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Title IX Training

Effective August 14, 2020, the new 2020 Title IX Regulations (34 CFR Part 106.45(b)(10)) mandates the public sharing of materials used to train school and college Title IX team members. The following materials reflect the training of BTC’s Title IX Coordinator and Title IX Administrators.

Page updated May 2024.
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