“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.”
The El Paso County Community College District (EPCCCD) is committed to fostering an educational and working environment that is free from discrimination based on sex and free from sexual misconduct in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and other local, state and federal laws.
During the 2019 Texas legislative session, Senate Bill 212 (“SB 212”) was signed into state law and is now in full effect as of January 1, 2020. This new law addresses reporting requirements for incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking at certain public and private institutions of higher education including EPCCCD. Under SB 212, an employee who fails to report or falsely reports such an incident will also be subject to criminal liability (misdemeanor) and termination of employment.
Reporting Sexual Misconduct
If you feel you are in danger, call El Paso Community College Police Department (915) 831-2200 or 911.
SB 212 Highlights
- Reporting Requirement – SB 212 requires an employee who in the course and scope of employment, witnesses or receives information regarding the occurrence of an incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking alleged to have been committed by or against a person who was a student enrolled at or an employee of EPCCCD at the time of the incident, must promptly report the incident to EPCCCD’s Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Reports to a Title IX Coordinator must include all relevant information that is known about the incident.
- Termination - EPCCCD will be required to terminate an employee whom it determines to have committed the offense of failing to report or making a false report to EPCCCD.
- Criminal Penalties - If an employee is required to make a report and fails to make a report, or knowingly makes a false report with the intent to harm or deceive, then the employee could be subject to criminal penalties.
- Confidential Resources – Employees who have been designated as confidential employees are required to report the type of incident only.
EPCCCD takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. Our processes to stop, prevent and remedy any misconduct are thorough, fair and support our mission as we continue to proactively seek ways to ensure our community members feel safe.
We are currently establishing additional resources to ensure compliance with the new state and federal mandates. For any immediate questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to EPCCCD’s designated Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators for more information.
Reports
Texas Education Code (TEC), Section 51.253(c) requires an institution’s Chief Executive Officer to submit a report at least once during each fall or spring semester to the institution’s governing body and post the report on the institution’s internet website. The report must contain (1) all reports received by employees under the TEC, Section 51.252 that constitutes “sexual harassment,” “sexual assault,” “dating violence,” or “stalking” (as defined in the TEC, Section 51.251), and (2) any disciplinary actions taken under TEC, Section 51.255.
Hearing Procedures for Employees and Students
Exhibits
Pregnant and Parenting
El Paso Community College is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible working and learning environment for all. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a Federal Civil Rights Law, prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities. Title IX protects students in all of the academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic and other programs or activities of schools. This includes discrimination against pregnant and parenting students.
El Paso Community College does not discriminate against any student, or exclude any student from its educational program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, on the basis of a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom unless the student requests voluntarily to participate in a separate portion of the program or activity of EPCC.
Complaint Procedure
Students who have concerns about support on Title IX student matters and pregnancy related conditions are encouraged to contact the Office of the Vice President of Student and Enrollment Services and share their concerns.
Resources
Title IX Coordinators
