OA + Consultant Title IX/Mandated Reporting Policies/Procedures

What is Title IX?

The U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other
statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from
discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial
assistance. Title IX states that:
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.

What is the KU Office of IOA?

The KU Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access (IOA) has an institutional responsibility to
enhance and strengthen diversity and inclusion at all KU campuses. The promotion of and
support for a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect requires the engagement of
the entire University and community, and IOA oversees and collaborates with many different
institutions on campus and in the broader Lawrence and Overland Park communities. In the
context of upholding Title IX, IOA is the KU office responsible for investigating complaints of
discrimination, harassment and domestic violence. IOA investigations are administrative and not
criminal. From the IOA Website:
IOA is a neutral fact finder conducting confidential investigations. IOA will investigate
discrimination and harassment complaints because of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex
(including sexual harassment and sexual violence), national origin, age, ancestry,
disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status,
retaliation, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information. At the
conclusion of an investigation, IOA will make a determination of whether there has been
a violation and make appropriate recommendations to the respondent and departmental
units involved.
If you would like to learn more about IOA, harassment, discrimination and domestic violence,
please visit ioa.ku.edu

What are the responsibilities of KU Writing Center employees?

As consultants and OAs, we are sometimes privileged to personal or sensitive material in either
our conversations with clients or their writing. In order for us to fully assist our clients, we need
to be aware of our responsibilities when issues of domestic violence, harassment and
discrimination occur.
As KU Writing Center employees, we are all mandated reporters. The report filed to IOA is
internally known as a witness discrimination complaint. This means that we are obligated to
report known or suspected instances of sexual/domestic violence, harassment and
discrimination to IOA. This includes but is not limited to discrimination and harassment based on
race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexuality, gender identity, and marital status.

How do we explain the IOA reporting process?

IOA performs a non-criminal, neutral fact-finding confidential investigation of complaints of
harassment, discrimination and domestic violence. Once a discrimination complaint is filed by

anyone, including but not limited to KU employees, IOA will securely and confidentially contact
(via email) the individual harassed or discriminated against within 48 hours, roughly. With willing
participation of the complainant, IOA will conduct an investigation. IOA will assist the
complainant with finding or utilizing other resources, including confidential counseling and/or
filing an official police report for criminal investigation. If violations are found, IOA will make
appropriate recommendations to the respondent and departmental units involved. IOA is a widereaching institution within KU, meaning that they can coordinate a variety of services necessary
to make the campus safe and equal opportunity space.

What should we do if a situation occurs that we would be required to

report?
As soon as a client mentions an instance of known or suspected discrimination and harassment,
as mandated reporters, it is our responsibility to politely pause the conversation/consultation to
inform clients of our status and ask if that client would like to continue the IOA reporting process.
Being attentive and quick to react in such moments is imperative. The client is under no
obligation to submit information, meaning they must consent to participate. Work with the client
(possibly coordinating with Terese, Jhenay or Aron) to find a suitable, private location to discuss
details of the event. With client consent, request pertinent details to be reported to IOA (see
below). If the client wishes to continue the session or conversation, make sure to gather the
details of the event before moving on.

Order of Events:
1. The Client makes a claim of harassment or discrimination
2. The KUWC employee quickly responds, informing the client that they are a mandated
reporter to IOA in instances of harassment or discrimination
3. Earn consent from client
4. Coordinate with Terese, Jhenay or Aron to make or find a private location that meets the
specifications of the client
5. Explain the IOA reporting and investigation process (48 hour response via secure email)
6. Gather information volunteered by the client
7. Assess whether the client would like to continue the session/conversation
a. If the client would like to continue, move on as best as possible.
b. If the client would like to reschedule the session, work with an OA or Facilitator to find a
suitable alternative.
8. Following the conclusion of the conversation/session, immediately file a witness
discrimination complaint with pertinent information to IOA. You can contact IOA at 785864-6414, or at ioa@ku.edu. While the office is only open 9:00am-5:00pm, MondayFriday, you can email at any time.
a. Be sure to use your KU email account as a secure method of reporting.
9. Thats it. You are done. Remember to not share any details of the interaction that would
jeopardize the confidentiality of those involved or the investigative process.

What language should I use when pausing a

conversation/consultation?
As a KUWC employee, the language you use to pause and inform the client should still convey
that we care about that client, their safety, health, and of course, their writing. Like with all
matters, KUWC employees consider our interactions with clients earnestly, and reporting
instances of sexual/domestic violence, harassment and discrimination is no different. It is crucial
to respond to such instances with the same standard of care and professionalism expected in all

employee-client interactions. Treat them as an individual, and show them that they are not
alone.

Suggested Language:

As a KU employee, I am responsible for protecting your safety and health in this

environment. It is my responsibility to report known or suspected instances of
sexual/domestic violence, harassment and discrimination to the KU Office of Institutional
Opportunity and Access (IOA), which will conduct a confidential, institutional (and not
criminal) investigation of the events.
With your consent, I will need to gather pertinent information to report to IOA. Once we
are finished recording the necessary details, we are more than welcome to continue our
conversation/consultation, and I would be more than happy to help you schedule
additional tutoring time if you think that is necessary.

What should I report? What information do I need?

If you file a witness discrimination complaint with IOA, the following information should be
gathered (if possible):

The name and contact information (address, phone number, email) of the individual
discriminated against;
The type of discrimination;
The name and contact information of the individual perpetuating discrimination;
A description of the event;
And your own name and contact information.

Where should I report sexual violence, sexual harassment, and

discrimination?
Reports should be filed to the KU office of Institutional Opportunity and Access. These claims
can be filed by phone, electronically, via fax, or by mail. You can contact IOA at 785-864-6414,
or at ioa@ku.edu. More contact information can be found at ioa.ku.edu.
While the office is only open 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday, you can email at any time.

Is there anything else that I should do?

Yes. Protect the confidentiality of those involved. Details should not, under any circumstances,
be shared with anyone else, including other KU Writing Center employees.
You can also recommend other resources listed below.

What other resources are available?

1. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
http://www.caps.ku.edu/
1200 Schwegler Drive, Room 2100
Lawrence, Ks. 66045
(785) 864-CAPS (2277)

On campus counseling and support services for students. Visits are low cost and students can
be seen on an emergency basis. Counselors at CAPs are confidential resources and not
mandatory reporters to IOA.
2. Watkins Memorial Health Center
http://www.studenthealth.ku.edu/
1200 Schwegler Drive
Lawrence, Ks. 66045
(785) 864-5900
On campus medical services include a nurse trained to perform sexual assault examinations
(referred to as SANE exams) during regular business hours. The Health Center is accessible
using the 27, 38 and 42 Bus Routes. Discussions with health care workers are confidential and
not reported to IOA. During a SANE exam trained medical personnel collect physical evidence
of an assault. As part of the SANE exam there is testing for pregnancy and sexually transmitted
diseases.
3. Emily Taylor Center for Women and Gender Equity
http://emilytaylorcenter.ku.edu/
1445 Jayhawk Blvd.
4024 Wescoe Hall
Lawrence, Ks. 66045
(785) 864-3552
The Emily Taylor Center aims to Inform, Involve, and Empower the KU community. The Center
also offers workshops and presentations for groups, Scholarship Halls, Greek chapters,
Residence Halls, or classes. In addition to our programs, the Center offers individual
consultations for students who need information, resources and support.
4. CAMPUS CARE Coordinator (Merrill Evans)
1200 Schwegler Drive, Room 2615
Lawrence, KS. 66045
(785) 864-9255
The CAMPUS CARE Coordinator assists students with exploring their reporting options and
assists in providing a continuum of care to students that are survivors of sexual assault,
interpersonal violence and stalking. The CARE Coordinator may meet with students to discuss
healthy relationships and establishing appropriate boundaries in dating. The CARE Coordinator
is not an advocate for students but is a person that can help navigate the University and
criminal process. If students come to the CARE Coordinator directly discussions are
confidential.
5. Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH)
http://www.lmh.org/

325 Maine Street

Lawrence, Ks. 66044
(789) 505-6162
LMH has trained medical personnel on call 24/7 to perform sexual assault examinations (known
as SANE exams). SANE exams are performed at little to no cost to students in the LMH
emergency room.
6. The Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center (formerly GaDuGi)
http://www.gadugisafecenter.org/
2518 Ridge Court, #101
Lawrence, Kansas 66046
(785)843-8985
The Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center offers a variety of support services including
advocacy and support to survivors, therapeutic services and community engagement and
education.
7. The Willow Domestic Violence Center:
http://www.willowdvcenter.org/
1920 Moodie Road
Lawrence, Ks. 66046
(785) 843-3333
Willow was the first domestic violence center in the state of Kansas, opening in 1976. Willow
offers services to help restore the health and safety of people have experienced domestic
violence or human trafficking by providing public safety, education, and advocacy in Douglas
County.