Title IX

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by recipients of federal funds. It states: “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.” (U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights).

Title IX requires institutions of higher education to outline steps to prevent and remedy forms of sex-based discrimination which include:

  • Sexual Assault/Rape
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Sexual Exploitation
  • Stalking
  • Sexual Violence
  • Relationship Violence (including dating and domestic violence)
  • Gender-based Harassment
  • Pregnant and Parenting Students

The U. S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Title IX requires schools to take steps to prevent and remedy forms of sex-based discrimination.

 

Mission

Arkansas Baptist College is committed to maintaining a learning environment that is free from discriminatory in all of its forms based on gender. As required by Title IX, the College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities. The College encourages any member of the campus community who thinks that she or he has been subjected to sex discrimination, sexual harassment, including sexual violence or sexual misconduct by another to immediately report the incident to Campus Safety, Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinators or call 911.

Types of Sex-Based Discrimination:

Rape/Sexual Assault:

A person commits rape if he or she engages in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual activity with another person by forcible compulsion. The victim is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless, mentally defective, or mentally incapacitated. The victim is less than 14 years of age. However, it is an affirmative defense that the offender was not more than 3 years older than the victim. It is no defense that the victim consented to the conduct. The victim is a minor and the offender is the victim’s guardian, uncle, aunt, grandparent, step-grandparent, or grandparent by adoption; brother or sister of the whole or half blood or by adoption; or nephew, niece, or first cousin. However, it is an affirmative defense that the offender was not more than 3 years older than the victim. It is no defense that the victim consented to the conduct (Ark. Code § 5-14-103 (rape).

Sexual Harassment:

Sexual Harassment is unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. Sexual harassment can be:

  • Physical, including unwelcome touching or gesturing
  • Verbal, including unwelcome requests for a date or sexual favors, lewd remarks, or sounds
  • Visual, including unwelcome exposure to sexual photos, cartoons, or drawings (AR Code Sec. 16-123-101et seq.).

Sexual Exploitation:

Photographing or taping someone (via audio, video or otherwise) involved in sexual contact, or in any state of undress, without their consent constitutes sexual exploitation and is a violation of this policy. The act of taking those images/recordings without consent is one form of sexual exploitation. The act of sharing images such as photographs or video/audio of someone involved in sexual contact or in a state of undress, without their consent, constitutes an additional act of sexual exploitation that is separate from the act of taking the images/audio.

 

Stalking:

Stalking means a course of conduct directed at a person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or to suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking that is motivated by sex or gender will be handled under this policy. Stalking that is not motivated by sex or gender may still be a violation of Arkansas Baptist College policy.

Relationship Violence:

Under this Policy, Relationship Violence includes both dating and domestic violence. Relationship Violence can occur at any stage in a relationship, including after its termination.

 

Sexual Violence

Sexual Violence is a form of sexual harassment. Sexual violence, which is non-consensual physical conduct of a sexual nature. A number of different acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual coercion.

/my.arkansasbaptist.edu/ICS/

Gender-based Harassment

Gender-based Harassment, which is unwelcome conduct based on a person’s actual or perceived sex, including harassing conduct based on a person’s gender expression, gender identity, transgender status, gender transition, or nonconformity with sex stereotypes.

 

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including pregnancy and parental status, in educational programs and activities.

Role of Title IX Officer

The Title IX Officer is responsible for coordinating the College’s compliance with Title IX, including overseeing all complaints of sexual discrimination, including sexual violence, sexual assault, rape, violence against women, stalking, and sexual harassment. The Title IX Officer investigates alleged discrimination, sexual assault and or harassment complaints; conducts fair and impartial hearings for alleged sexual assault and sexual violence complaints; and educates the campus community members concerning Title IX policies and procedures. Questions or concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinators or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Students may also report incidents of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and domestic violence of sexual misconduct to any College Responsible Employee, who is then required to promptly notify any of the Deputy Title IX Coordinators of the reported incident.

Complaints or allegations of student-on-student sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and domestic violence of sexual misconduct will be handled by the Office of the Dean of Students and the Department of Campus Safety and will be referred to the Title IX Coordinator.

Complaints of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and domestic violence of sexual misconduct by non-students will be handled by the Office of Human Resources with assistance from the Department of Campus Safety and the College Title IX Coordinator, where appropriate.

The College encourages students to immediately consult with or report incidents of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and domestic violence of sexual misconduct to the College Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinators. 

 

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

ABC Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy

Where to Report?

College Title IX Coordinator
Vicki A. Williams, Ph.D.
Office: Community Union 3rd Floor
Telephone: 501.420.1329
Email: Vicki.williams@arkansasbaptist.edu

Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students
Mr. Marlow Rockwell
Dean of Students
Office: 2nd Floor Community Union
Mobile: 501.366.6669
Email: marlow.rockwell@arkansasbaptist.edu.

Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Faculty & Staff
Ms. Pamela Brimley
Director of Human Resources
Office: 1600 Administration Building
Telephone: 501.420.1219
Email: Pamela.brimley@arkansasbaptist.edu

Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Visitors
Ms. Patsy Biggs
Executive Assistant to the President
Office: 3rd Floor Old Main Building
Telephone: 501.370.4001
Email: patsy.biggs@arkansasbaptist.edu

Department of Campus Safety
Office: 1600 Administration Building
Mobile: 501.786.7356

1600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Phone: (501) 420-1226       
 
 

Off Campus Resources

 
Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) Call 911
 

Center for Healing Hearts & Spirits
2416 S. Chester Street
Little Rock, AR 72206
Telephone: 501.372.3800
Mobile: 501.749.5416
Fax: 501.372.2150
Website: www.hhscenter.org
 

Arkansas Sexual Assault Crisis Response Hotline
1.800.977.5776 & 24/7 Toll Free Confidential
 

Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault
200 River Market Avenue
Suite 100
Little Rock, AR  72201
Telephone: 501.246.3047
Fax: 501.324.2236
Toll Free Number: 1-866-63-ACASA/1.866.632.2272
Website: www.acasa.us
 

Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence
1401 West Capitol, Suite 170
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
800.269.4668
501.907.5612
501.907.5744 (fax)
www.domesticpeace.com/www.ihopeapp.com

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)/Stop National Hotline

  1. 800. 656. HOPE or 1. 800. 656. 4673

National Domestic Violence Hotline for Advice
800.799. SAFE (7233).

It’s On Us: www.itsonus.gov

For information and support, please visit the Arkansas Baptist College Title IX Webpage or contact Title IX Coordinator, Vicki A. Williams, PhD at: 501.420.1329 (office) or vicki.williams@arkansasbaptist.edu                                                                                 

For additional information contact: The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is the division of the federal government charged with enforcing compliance with Title IX. Information regarding the Office for Civil Rights can be found: http://www.ed.gov/ocr