Title IX Information
- What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This includes protection from sex-based harassment, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and discrimination based on sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or parental status.
At Copper Mountain College, Title IX ensures that all students, employees, and community members have equal access to educational programs, activities, and employment opportunities free from sex-based discrimination and harassment.
The College is committed to:
- Providing a safe, inclusive, and equitable learning and working environment
- Preventing and addressing sex-based misconduct
- Responding promptly and fairly to reports of prohibited conduct
- Offering supportive measures and resources to those affected
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is a form of sex-based discrimination and includes unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex that meets one or more of the following:
- Quid pro quo harassment: When an employee conditions the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on a person’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct
- Hostile environment harassment: Unwelcome conduct that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the College’s education program or activity
- Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking (as defined below)
Sexual harassment can occur between people of any gender and can take many forms, including verbal, nonverbal, written, or physical conduct.
Examples may include:
- Unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors
- Sexual comments, jokes, or gestures
- Displaying or sharing sexually explicit materials without consent
- Repeated unwanted communication of a sexual nature
What is Sexual Violence?
Sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts or behaviors that occur without the consent of all involved parties or when someone is unable to give consent. Sexual violence is a serious violation of personal autonomy and is prohibited under Title IX and College policy.
Sexual violence includes, but is not limited to:
- Sexual assault: Any sexual act directed against another person without consent, including rape, fondling, incest, or statutory rape
- Dating violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim
- Domestic violence: Violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner, or by someone similarly situated under the law
- Stalking: A course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress
Consent
Consent is a knowing, voluntary, and mutual agreement to engage in sexual activity. Consent:
- Must be given freely and clearly
- Cannot be obtained through force, coercion, manipulation, or incapacitation
- Can be withdrawn at any time
- Cannot be given by someone who is asleep, unconscious, or otherwise unable to make informed decisions
- How to File a Report
If you experience or witness conduct that may violate Title IX, you are encouraged to report it to the Security and/or the Title IX Coordinator.
Concern:
Contact
Contact
To report a Title IX incident involving a student:
Jane Kwon
VP Student Services
Title IX Coordinator
760-366-3791 ext. 5280
To report a Title IX incident involving an employee:
Jenn Baker
Chief HR Officer
Title IX Coordinator
760-366-3791 ext. 5285
To report a Title IX-related safety concern:
CMC Campus Security
760-601-4123
File a Police Report for Sexual Assault or Violence:
County Sheriff’s Office
760-366-4175
- Discrimination complaint form unlawful-discrimination-form
- You may also choose to file a complaint directly with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights:
Office for Civil Rights, San Francisco Office
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 485-5555
OCR Website - Common Myths and Facts
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Common Myths and Facts about Sexual Assault
- Myth: Victims provoke sexual assaults when they dress provocatively or act in a promiscuous manner.
- Fact: Rape and sexual assault are crimes of violence and control that stem from a person’s determination to exercise power over another. Neither provocative dress nor promiscuous behavior is an invitation for unwanted sexual activity. Forcing someone to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is sexual assault, regardless of the way that person dresses or acts.
- Myth: If a person goes to someone’s room or house or goes to a bar, they assume the risk of sexual assault. If something happens later, they can’t claim that they were raped or sexually assaulted because they should have known not to go to those places.
- Fact: This “assumption of risk” wrongfully places the responsibility of the offender’s action on the victim. Even if a person went voluntarily to someone’s home or room and consented to engage in some sexual activity, it does not serve as blanket consent for all sexual activity. When in doubt, if the person is comfortable with an elevated level of sexual activity, stop and ask. When someone says “no” or “stop,” that means “STOP!” Sexual activity forced upon another without valid consent is sexual assault.
- Myth: It is not sexual assault if it happens after drinking or taking drugs.
- Fact: Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not an invitation for sexual activity. A person under the influence does not cause others to assault them; others choose to take advantage of the situation and sexually assault them because they are in a vulnerable position. A person who is incapacitated due to the influence of alcohol or drugs is not able to consent to sexual activity.
- Myth: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers. It’s not rape if the people involved know each other.
- Fact: Most sexual assaults and rape are committed by someone the victim knows. A study of sexual victimization of college women showed that about 90% of victims knew the person who sexually victimized them. Most often, a boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, classmate, friend, acquaintance or co-worker sexually victimized the person. It is important to remember that sexual assault can occur in both heterosexual and same-gender relationships.
- Myth: Rape can be avoided if women avoid dark alleys or other “dangerous” places where strangers might be hiding or lurking.
- Fact: Rape and sexual assault can occur at any time, in many places, to anyone.
- Myth: A person who has really been sexually assaulted will be hysterical.
- Fact: Victims of sexual violence exhibit a spectrum of responses to the assault, which can include: calm, hysteria, withdrawal, anxiety, anger, apathy, denial, and shock. Being sexually assaulted is a very traumatic experience. Reaction to the assault and the length of time needed to process through the experience vary with each person. There is no “right way” to react to being sexually assaulted. Assumptions about the way a victim “should act” may be detrimental to the victim because each victim copes in different ways.
- Myth: All sexual assault victims will report the crime immediately to the police. If they do not report it or delay in reporting it, then they must have changed their minds after it happened, wanted revenge, or didn’t want to look like they were sexually active.
- Fact: There are many reasons why a sexual assault victim may not report the assault to the police or campus officials. It is not easy to talk about being sexually assaulted, and it can feel very shameful. The experience of retelling what happened may cause the person to relive the trauma. Another reason for delaying a report or not making a report is the fear of retaliation by the offender. There is also the fear of being blamed, not being believed, and being required to go through judicial proceedings. Just because a person does not report the sexual assault does not mean it did not happen.
- Myth: Only young, pretty women are assaulted.
- Fact: The belief that only young, pretty women are sexually assaulted stems from the myth that sexual assault is based on sex and physical attraction. Sexual assault is a crime of power and control. Offenders often choose people whom they perceive as most vulnerable to attack or over whom they believe they can assert power. Men and non-gender-conforming people are also sexually assaulted, as well as persons with disabilities. Assumptions about the “typical” victim might lead others not to report the assault because they do not fit the stereotypical victim.
- Myth: It’s only rape if the victim puts up a fight and resists.
- Fact: Many states do not require the victim to resist in order to charge the offender with rape or sexual assault. Those who do not resist may feel that if they do so, they will anger their attacker, resulting in more severe injury. Many assault experts say that victims should trust their instincts and intuition and do what they believe will most likely keep them alive. Not fighting or resisting an attack does not equal consent.
- Myth: Someone can only be sexually assaulted if a weapon was involved.
- Fact: In many cases of sexual assault, a weapon is not involved. The offender often uses physical strength, physical violence, intimidation, threats, or a combination of these tactics to overpower the victim. Although the presence of a weapon while committing the assault may result in a higher penalty or criminal charge, the absence of a weapon does not mean that the offender cannot be held criminally responsible for a sexual assault.
Common Myths and Facts about Sexual Harassment
- Myth: Sexual harassment is rare.
- Fact: Sexual harassment is extremely widespread. It touches the lives of 40 to 60 percent of working women, and similar proportions of female students in colleges and universities.
- Myth: Sexual harassment only happens to women and is perpetrated only by men.
- Fact: Both men and women can be victims or perpetrators of sexual harassment. In addition, sexual harassment may occur between members of the same sex.
- Myth: The seriousness of sexual harassment has been exaggerated; most so-called harassment is really trivial and harmless flirtation.
- Fact: Sexual harassment can be devastating. Studies indicate that most harassment has nothing to do with “flirtation” or sincere sexual or social interest. Rather, it is offensive, often frightening, and insulting. Research shows that survivors are often forced to leave school or jobs to avoid harassment and may experience serious psychological and health-related problems.
- Myth: Many victims make up and report stories of sexual harassment to get back at their employers or others who have angered them.
- Fact: Research shows that less than one percent of complaints are false. In fact, survivors rarely file complaints even when they are justified in doing so.
- Myth: Women who are sexually harassed generally provoke harassment by the way they look, dress, and behave.
- Fact: Harassment does not occur because women dress provocatively or initiate sexual activity in the hope of getting promoted and advancing their careers. Studies have found that victims of sexual harassment vary in physical appearance, type of dress, age, and behavior. The only thing they have in common is that over 99% of them are female.
- Myth: If you ignore harassment, it will go away.
- Fact: It will not. Research has shown that simply ignoring the behavior is ineffective; harassers generally will not stop on their own. Ignoring such behavior may even be seen as agreement or encouragement.
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- Campus and Community Supports
The College offers the following campus and community resources for students who are victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment:
- Supportive measures
- Confidential and non-confidential reporting options
- Access to counseling and advocacy resources
Support Resource
Contact
On-Campus Mental Health Support
Amy Sanchez, Mental Health Counselor
760-366-3791 ext. 5864
Telehealth Mental Health Support
Morongo Basin Sexual Assault Services
National Sexual Assault Hotline-Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
24-hour hotlineMorongo Basin Unity Home (24 hours)
One Stop TAY Center (16-25 years old)
Morongo Basin Crisis Walk-in Center
Supporting Peers Affected by Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
Copper Mountain College encourages all members of the campus community to foster a culture of care, respect, and accountability. Peer support plays an important role in helping individuals affected by sexual harassment or sexual violence feel heard, believed, and supported.
Students and employees can support peers by:
- Listening without judgment and respecting the individual’s experience
- Believing and validating the person’s feelings and concerns
- Encouraging connection to resources, such as counseling services, advocacy programs, or the Title IX Office
- Respecting privacy and autonomy, including a person’s decision about whether or not to report
- Intervening safely when witnessing concerning behavior, when possible (e.g., by using bystander intervention strategies)
The College promotes bystander intervention and prevention education programs that empower community members to recognize and respond to potential harm in safe and effective ways.
- Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Conditions
Your Rights and Support Under Title IX
At our college, we are committed to ensuring that students affected by pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions have equal access to all educational programs and activities. Under Title IX, discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions is prohibited, and supportive measures are available to help you continue your education without interruption.
Who Is Covered?
Title IX protections apply to students experiencing:
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth and recovery
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
- Abortion and related care
- Lactation and breastfeeding
- Any medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth
Your Rights
Students have the right to:
- Continue participating in classes, programs, and campus activities
- Be free from discrimination, harassment, or retaliation
- Receive reasonable modifications based on individual needs
- Take medically necessary leave and return to the same academic status
Pregnancy-Related Leave
Students may take a voluntary leave of absence for as long as it is medically necessary. When you return, you will be reinstated to the same academic status you held before your leave began.
How to Request Support
To request pregnancy-related accommodations or support:
- Contact the Title IX Office or Coordinator –
- For Students: Jane Kwon, Vice President of Student Services and Title IX Coordinator – jkwon@cmccd.edu
- For Employees: Jenn Baker, Chief Human Resources Officer and Title IX Coordinator – jbaker@cmccd.edu
- Share your needs—documentation is only required when necessary
- Work with us to identify reasonable and appropriate modifications
We encourage early communication so we can best support your academic success.
Additional Resources:
https://thepregnantscholar.org/title-ix-basics/
- Campus Security Report
- Copper Mountain College publishes an annual report in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998 (“Clery Act”), 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f), Title 34 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Section 668.46, and the California Education Code Sections 67380-67385. This report includes important information about safety and security policies implemented to protect the welfare of our campus community, as well as crime statistics for the District.
https://www.cmccd.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ANNUAL-SECURITY-REPORT-2024.pdf
- Campus Policies and Procedures
BP 3430: Prohibition of Harassment
AP 3430: Prohibition of Harassment
BP 3433: Prohibition of Sexual Harassment under Title IX
AP 3433: Prohibition of Sexual Harassment under Title IX
AP 3434: Responding to Harassment Based on Sex Under Title IX
AP 3435: Discrimination and Harassment Complaints and Investigations
Copper Mountain College is committed to holding individuals accountable for violations of its Title IX and sexual misconduct policies. When a respondent is found responsible through the applicable grievance process, the College may impose sanctions designed to stop the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.
Sanctions may include, but are not limited to:
- Educational or training requirements
- Written warnings or reprimands
- Probation
- Restrictions from campus activities or facilities
- Suspension
- Expulsion (for students)
- Disciplinary action up to and including termination (for employees)
Sanctions are determined based on the nature and severity of the violation, the impact on the affected individual and community, and any prior conduct history, consistent with College policy.