Title IX Information
DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, RETALIATION AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
UA Cossatot is committed to providing an environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community and that is free from harassment and discrimination based upon race, color, religion, national origin, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or genetic information. Such an environment is necessary to a healthy learning, working and living atmosphere. Accordingly, all acts of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct are strictly prohibited. (Also, see College Policy 216).
TITLE IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 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.”
Implementing Regulations at: 20 U.S.C. § 1681 & 34 C.F.R. Part 106
Title IX protects the college community from sexual discrimination, harassment and
misconduct in a school’s education programs and activities. Title IX protects the
college community in connection with all academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic
and other college programs, whether those programs take place on college property,
in college transportation, as a class or training program sponsored by the college,
or at another location or elsewhere.
***All complaints or concerns about conduct that may violate policy should be submitted
to the Title IX Coordinator, Title IX Assistant Coordinator or to a Title IX Deputy
either in person or by calling 1-800-844-4471.
Title IX Deputies
Title IX Coordinator, Director of Student Services
Suzanne Ward
870-584-1143
sward@cccua.edu
Title IX Assistant Coordinator, Director of Human Resources
Kelly Plunk
870-584-1102
kplunk@cccua.edu
Title IX Education & Prevention Deputy, Coordinator for the Center for Student Success
Erika Buenrrostro
870-584-1133
ebuenrrostro@cccua.edu
Title IX Deputy
Holly Norman
870-584-1477
hnorman@cccua.edu
Title IX Deputy
Rachel Hikey
870-584-1337
rhickey@cccua.edu
Title IX officials may be contacted in person, by email or by calling 1-800-844-4471
UA Cossatot has a no-tolerance policy regarding retaliation for reporting, providing
information, exercising one’s rights or responsibilities, or otherwise being involved
in the process of responding to, investigating, or addressing allegations of Title
IX. Individuals taking part in retaliation, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination,
undertaken or attempted either directly or by someone acting on behalf of another,
will be subject to immediate disciplinary action.
Filing a Report with Local Law Enforcement
In some instances, sexual misconduct may constitute both a violation of college policy and criminal activity. The college grievance process is not a substitute for instituting legal action. The college encourages individuals to report alleged sexual misconduct promptly to campus officials and to law enforcement authorities, where appropriate. Individuals may also contact any of the following for assistance in filing a report with local law enforcement:
Campus Police Officers
Monte Stringfellow – DeQueen Campus
Office: 870-584-1116
Email: mstringellow@cccua.edu
Jason Curtis – Ashdown Campus
Office: 870-584-1476
Cell: 870-582-5609
Email: jcurits@ccua.edu
Lakisha Jones – Nashville Campus
Office: 870-584-1392
Cell: 870-557-1714
Email: ljones@ccua.edu
Local City Police Department
De Queen Police Department
220 N. Second Street
870-642-2213 or
911 for emergency
Nashville Police Department
426 Main Street
870-845-3434 or
911 for emergency
Ashdown Police Department
745 Locust Avenue
870-898-5640 or
911 for emergency
Student and Visitor Responsibility to Report
Students and visitors to the college are strongly encouraged to report allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator, or a Title IX Deputy. A report should be made as soon as possible after the incident in order to facilitate an effective response. The longer a report is delayed, the more difficult it will be for the college to investigate. Reports may be made by the person experiencing the misconduct or by a third party, such as a witness or someone who is told of the misconduct.
Mandatory Employee Reporting
In order to enable the college to respond effectively and to proactively stop instances of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and sexual misconduct, all employees must, within 24 hours of receiving information regarding a potential violation of this policy, report information to the Title IX Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator, or a Title IX Deputy. Only employees who are statutorily prohibited from reporting such information (e.g., licensed health-care professionals) are exempt from these reporting requirements.
Off-Campus Conduct
Conduct that occurs off campus can be the subject of a complaint or report and will be evaluated to determine whether it violates policy. Allegations of off-campus sexual misconduct are of particular concern and should be brought to the college’s attention.
Confidentiality
Subject to the other provisions of this policy and the requirements of law, every
possible effort will be made to ensure that all information received as part of the
college’s Complaint/Grievance Procedure is treated discreetly. All parties to the
complaint are required to maintain the confidentiality of all information received
during this process. However, it is not possible to guarantee that all complaints
will remain confidential because of the college’s obligation to investigate allegations
of misconduct. All requests to maintain confidentiality shall be directed to the Title
IX Coordinator who has the authority to make such determinations.
Except as compelled by law or in the interest of fairness, just resolution or health
and safety considerations, disclosure of information contained in complaints, their
substance, procedures and the results of investigations will be limited to the immediate
parties, witnesses and other appropriate officials. Limited disclosure may also be
necessary to conduct a full and impartial investigation.
Availability of Counseling and Advocacy
Counseling and other mental health services for victims of sexual assault are available
in the community. Students who are victims of sexual assault should immediately contact
UA Cossatot Police.
Community mental health agencies, counselors, and psychotherapists in private practice
can provide individual and group therapy. Women’s shelters or domestic violence and
rape crisis programs may assist in making referrals for individual counseling and
support groups and identifying non-counseling campus and community resources that
may be of additional help and service as a victim advocate upon request.