Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits discrimination based on the gender of students and employees of educational institutions which receive federal financial assistance. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment or sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion. The U.S. Code specifically 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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…”
20 U.S.C. § 1681
Educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance are covered by Title IX. If only one of the institution’s programs or activities receives federal funding, all of the programs within the institution must comply with Title IX regulations. In compliance with Title IX, UVa-Wise prohibits discrimination in employment as well as in all programs and activities on the basis of sex.
TITLE IX at UVA-WISE
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise strives to provide a working and educational environment for all faculty, staff and students that is free from sexual misconduct/harassment. Sexual harassment, sexual assault and other acts of sexual misconduct are forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. The prohibition against gender discrimination applies regardless of whether the activity is conducted on campus, off campus, in transit, or if sponsored at other locations.
UVa-Wise does not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its employment practices or educational programs and activities. Other acts can also be forms of sex-based discrimination and are also prohibited whether sexually-based or not and include dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. The College reaffirms its commitment to maintain a campus environment emphasizing the dignity and worth of all members of the college community.
The Title IX Coordinator at UVa-Wise is Tabitha Smith, and the two Deputy Title IX Coordinators and Investigators are Kendall Rainey and Narda Porter. Annual campus training is coordinated by these individuals.
REPORTING AN INCIDENT
A complainant is encouraged to immediately report an incident to a responsible employee of the College (i.e. an employee who has the authority and/or duty to report to the Title IX Coordinator, including Campus Police and student employees such as Resident Advisors (RAs)). The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for accepting and processing all sexual misconduct/harassment complaints.
Reporting to Campus Police Campus Police may be contacted by calling 276-328-0190 during regular business hours, 276-328-3756 after hours, or 911 at any time. Reporting an incident is a separate step from choosing to prosecute. When a report is filed with Campus Police, a complainant is not obligated to pursue either criminal or campus charges. Campus Police will maintain a written report which will be available should the complainant choose to pursue charges immediately or at a later date.
The Title IX Coordinator will meet with the complainant to explain the process, support and/or immediate interventions available to the complainant (e.g., referrals to appropriate law enforcement agencies; referrals for medical treatment; and/or referrals for counseling in The Center for Student Development and/or off campus agencies). As appropriate, discussion would also include potential interim measures.
The Title IX Coordinator will also discuss with the complainant options for pursuing on- or off-campus criminal charges, on-campus sexual misconduct proceedings, student conduct charges, or no charges at all. Please note, however, that the Title IX Coordinator is required to initiate an investigation through the campus sexual misconduct adjudication process which may result in taking reasonable action in response to results of that investigation. This investigation will be conducted and completed within sixty (60) days, in accordance with federal guidelines.
CAMPUS COUNSELING & SUPPORT
Counseling Services and Health Services are available in the Center for Student Development where professional staff can provide assistance and support for incidents of sexual misconduct/harassment. The CSD is located on the lower level on Cantrell Hall or can be reached at 276-376-1005.
In the residential communities, the Resident Advisors are student leaders in the halls who can listen and provide referral information. An on-duty professional Residence Life staff member is also available 24-hours per day, seven days per week, and can provide contacts for students to counselors and other agencies in the community for help.
Campus Police can also provide assistance 24-hours per day, seven days per week [(276-328-0190 or 276-328-COPS weekdays in the office) and (276-328-3756 for after-hours non-emergency situations); always call 911 for an emergency].
- Title IX Coordinator | Cantrell Hall | 276-870-5065
- Campus Police | Cantrell Hall | 276-328-COPS (2677) or 911
- Counseling | Cantrell Hall | 276-376-1005
- Disability Services | Zehmer Hall | 276-328-0265
- Health Services | Cantrell Hall | 276-376-1005
- Housing | Cantrell Hall | 276-376-4517
- Multicultural Affairs | Cantrell Hall | 276-376-1005
- Norton Community Hospital – 100 Fifteenth Street NW, Norton VA 24273 | 276-679-9600
- Mtn. View Regional Medical Center – 310 Third Street NE, Norton VA 24273 | 276-679-9100
- Lonesome Pine Hospital – 1990 Holton Avenue, Big Stone Gap VA 24219 | 276-523-3111
- Wise County Police Department – 501 West Main Street, Wise VA 24293 | 276-328-9369
- Family Crisis Support Services (FCCS) – PO Box 692, Norton VA 24273 | 276-679-7240
- FCCS Sexual Assault 24-hour Crisis Hotline | 1-877-348-3416
- Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline | 1-800-838-8238
- Victim Witness Program – 206 East Main Street #245, Wise VA 24293 | 276-328-4421
- Wise County Magistrate – 5607 Patriot Drive, Wise VA 24293| 276-328-8947
- Wise County Behavioral Health Services – 3169 2nd Avenue East, Big Stone Gap VA 24219| 276-523-8300
- Legal Aid Society – 16932 West Hills Drive, Castlewood VA 24224| 276-762-9354
- US Dept. of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs – Non-immigrant visa cases| 202-485-7600
- US Dept. of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs – Immigrant visa cases| 603-334-0700
- UVa-Wise Office of Compliance, Conduct & Inclusion
- Know Your IX
- Office on Violence Against Women, US Department of Justice
- Not Alone, US Government
- Clery Center
- Dear Colleague Letter, US Department of Education
- Know Your Rights, US Department of Education
TITLE IX CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabitha Smith, Title IX Coordinator
Office of Compliance, Conduct & Inclusion
1 College Avenue
Wise, VA 24293
Office: 276-328-0131 | Cell: 276-870-5065 | Email: firstname.lastname@example.org
Kendall Rainey, Deputy Title IX Coordinator & Investigator
Office of Athletics
1 College Avenue
Wise, VA 24293
Phone: 276-376-4584 | Fax: 276-376-1054 | Email: email@example.com
Narda Porter, Deputy Title IX Investigator
Office of the Registrar
1 College Avenue
Wise, VA 24293
Phone: 276-376-0116 | Fax: 276-376-4598 | Email: firstname.lastname@example.org