Gender/Sexual Harassment
Georgia Northwestern Technical College prohibits sexual harassment and harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, or citizenship status. Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination and is a violation of state and federal law. Sexual harassment is defined as: “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” Such conduct is prohibited when the behavior is directed to an individual because of his or her gender and (1) when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of instruction, employment or otherwise full participation in department or college life; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct is considered in evaluating a person’s academic work or job performance, or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with a person’s academic or job performance; creating a sexually intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment; or interfering with one’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity.
All persons who believe that they are or may have been victims of improper harassment are encouraged to seek resolution promptly. Those who have been witness to sexual harassment or other improper harassment should report their observation to the Title IX Coordinator:
Brittany Elrod
Section 504 and ADA Coordinator & Title IX/Equity Coordinator
belrod@gntc.edu
Floyd County Campus, A127e
One Maurice Culberson Drive
Rome, GA 30161
706-295-6517
Other violations of this policy include:
retaliating against a person who reports alleged harassment or participates as a witness in a harassment investigation; disregarding, failing to investigate adequately, or delaying investigations of harassment allegations when responsibility for report and/or investigation of harassment complaints comprises part of one’s supervisory responsibilities; or deliberately making a false allegation of sexual or other improper harassment. However, failure to prove a claim of harassment does not constitute proof of a false accusation.
Students who engage in sexual or other improper harassment on college premises or off college premises at a college-sponsored activity will be subject to discipline. In most circumstances, it is best for all parties that complaints of harassment be resolved at the lowest possible organizational level with a minimum of formality.
Confidentiality and privacy of those involved will be respected during all complaint procedures to the degree the procedure and the law will allow.
Gender/Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure
The following procedure is designed specifically for the reporting and processing of complaints of sexual harassment.
Any student who alleges a violation of sexual harassment shall notify the Sexual Harassment (Title IX) Coordinator within ten (10) business days following the alleged incident or as soon thereafter as reasonably possible. The complaint shall contain a brief description of the alleged violation and relief requested. If the complaint is oral, the coordinator shall prepare a written record of the complaint and ask the complainant to sign the statement, indicating that it accurately reflects the essentials of the complaint. Within seven (7) business days following the filing of a complaint, the coordinator will conduct an investigation of the alleged incident. Within five (5) business days after concluding the investigation, the coordinator will review the evidence gathered during the investigation and make a written report to the vice president of student affairs and/or college president presenting findings of fact, investigative conclusions, and recommendations as to any disciplinary action to be taken, if appropriate. A copy of this report shall be given to the complainant and accused offender. Upon reasonable request the vice president or president may grant the coordinator additional time for completing the investigation or written report. The investigator will have at least 30 days, if needed, from the time of the report of a sexual harassment complaint to complete investigations and submit a report of findings to the president or designee. The accused offender (respondent) or complaining party may respond to the report of the coordinator. Written responses must be submitted to the president within seven business days from receipt of the coordinator’s report. Requests to meet with the president shall be submitted in writing within five (5) days of the receipt of the report. The president shall meet with the complainant or the respondent within a reasonable time. This meeting may be informal and include other individuals at the discretion of the president. Within a reasonable time the president shall evaluate all evidence presented and make a decision regarding a resolution. This decision shall be in writing and copied to the complainant and the respondent. Such decisions shall include a statement of the right to appeal the president’s decision to the Office of Legal Services, Technical College System of Georgia. A total time period from receipt of complaint by the president, to the president’s decision should not exceed thirty (30) business days. An appeal of the final decision of the president may be submitted in writing to the Office of Legal Services at the Technical College System of Georgia. TCSG will contact the complainant and prepare a timeline for resolution of the appeal.
Contact:
Brittany Elrod
Section 504 and ADA Coordinator & Title IX/Equity Coordinator
belrod@gntc.edu
Floyd County Campus, A127e
One Maurice Culberson Drive
Rome, GA 30161
706-295-6517