Title IX is a federal civil rights law that protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX 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.
Passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, most people are familiar with Title IX in the context of athletics programs, but the federal civil rights law also prohibits sex-based discrimination that results from sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment), sexual violence (including sexual assault and domestic/dating/intimate partner violence) and stalking.
Title IX Policy and ProceduresKirkwood Title IX Training Materials
Kirkwood Community College does not discriminate on the basis of sex (including pregnancy) and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.
Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the College’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both. The College’s Title IX Coordinator is Melissa Payne, Vice President of Student Services, 3036 Iowa Hall, melissa.payne@kirkwood.edu, 319-398-5584.
The College maintains grievance procedures for complaints of discrimination and harassment based on sex. The College’s nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be found at https://www.kirkwood.edu/_files/pdf/about-us/trustees/102_board_policy_non_discrimination_access.pdf.
To seek support and assistance, to understand your rights according to Kirkwood’s Sexual Harassment Procedures, or to report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, you may contact the Dean of Students Office at 319-398-5540 or Public Safety at 319-398-7777. You may also contact the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator.
Kirkwood’s Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Title IX Coordinators can assist a student in filing a report, or, if the student is not ready to file a report, a staff member can work with a student to address concerns over housing, class assignments or schedule, leave of absence, withdrawal, or other academic concerns. It is a priority of the college to ensure incidents of sexual misconduct does not interfere with a student’s ability to be success in classes.
Title IX Coordinator
Melissa Payne, Vice President of Student Services, 319-398-5548, 3036B Iowa Hall
Title IX Deputy Coordinators
Bobbi Miller, Dean of Students, 319-398-7798, 3034G Iowa Hall
Caitlyn Miller, Associate Director, 319-398-4489, 3034E Iowa Hall
Wes Fowler, Vice President of Human Resources, 319-398-7797, 313 Kirkwood Hall
Because sexual misconduct may constitute both a violation of college policy and criminal activity, the college encourages, but does not require, students to report concerns of sexual misconduct to local law enforcement. A student can choose to proceed under Kirkwood’s Sexual Harassment Procedures regardless of whether a student wishes to report to law enforcement.
Campus Resource Officer Landon Einck, with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, serves as a resource and support for students impacted by sexual violence. Officer Einck can be reached by email at landon.einck@kirkwood.edu and phone at 319-398-4515. Officer Einck’s office is located at 3034 Iowa Hall.
*In an emergency situation, please contact 911. To contact law enforcement in non-emergency situations, call the non-emergency number for your local police department.
Public Safety provides services 24 hours a day and can assist students in identifying appropriate resources and support both on campus and in the community. Public Safety can also assist students in planning and provide escorts to students while on the campus. Call Public Safety at 319-398-7777.
Kirkwood Counseling Services
Students can meet with a counselor during normal business hours. Services are free and confidential.
Foundation 2 Crisis Center provides trained, compassionate telephone counselors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 319-362-2174 in the Cedar Rapids area or 1-800-332-4224 from anywhere in Iowa to reach a counselor.
Text HOME to 741741 anywhere in the United States 24/7 to reach a volunteer Crisis Center Counselor.
Your Life Iowa provides free, confidential support, and connects callers to helpful resources. Call 855-581-8111 or text 855-895-8398.
Riverview Center (Cedar Rapids)
Riverview Center provides trained advocates to assist victims of sexual assault. Advocates can assist students with medical and legal advocacy, counseling, and case management. Any communication with a Riverview Center advocate is legally protected under Iowa Code Section 915.20, which allows for confidential communications that cannot be disclosed without the student’s permission.
Waypoint Services
Waypoint provides shelter and support for women and families in crisis due to domestic violence or sexual assault.
RVAP (Iowa City and Surrounding Counties)
RVAP is a comprehensive sexual abuse response center based in Iowa City. RVPA provides support, information and advocacy to members of the Iowa City community and citizens of the following areas: Cedar County, Iowa County, Johnson County, Washington County.
Chains Interrupted is a nonprofit fighting for the freedom from trafficking and explotation in Eastern Iowa, the United States, and the world.
Amani
This program serves survivors and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the African American communities in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Waterloo. Crisis line: 888-983-2533
Latinas Unidas Por Un Nuevo Amanecer (LUNA)
This program serves survivors and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the Latino/Latinx communities throughout Iowa. 24-hour hotline: 866-256-7668
Indigenous Survivors & Empowerment (RISE)
This program serves survivors and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the Native and Meskwaki communities in Iowa. 24-hour helpline: 855-840-7362
Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity
This program serves survivors and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities throughout Iowa. 24-hour helpline: 866-881-4641
Nisaa African Family Services
This program serves survivors and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in African Immigrant and Refugee communities throughout Iowa. Iowa City office: 319-338-7617
Thrive Together
This program serves survivors and victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities throughout Iowa. 24/7 text only line: 515-661-4015
Title IX provides equal educational opportunities for pregnant and parenting students. If you have chosen to breastfeed or bottlefeed with expressed breastmilk, and must miss class to nurse or pump, your absence will be excused and you will not be penalized for your time away.
The Department of Education requires that educational institutions provide students with lactation spaces that they can use when needed. Kirkwood's main campus has four designated lactation spaces:
All students, excluding high school and non-degree seeking students, are required to view and complete an interactive Violence Prevention Program.
This online course is designed specifically for community college students and aims to prevent sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. This course will help you understand the types of behaviors that constitute sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence. It also provides students with information on Kirkwood’s sexual misconduct policy and support services available on campus and in the community. Upon completion, you will be familiar with student support services available on campus and in the community and understand your rights as a member of the Kirkwood community.
Funding for this free program is supported by the Dean of Students Office.
New students will receive an email to their Kirkwood student email account from the Dean of Students with information on how to access the program.
The program is offered in English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic closed captioning.
The program will take approximately 60 minutes. You can start and stop the program, but be sure to save your work as you move along through the modules.
Students must achieve a score of at least 75% on the post-test to pass. Students will be allowed to repeat the course until they score a 75% or higher.
Kirkwood Community College prohibits discrimination in educational programs on the basis of disability. If students require an accommodation in order to complete the program, arrangements will be made. Contact Accommodation Services for assistance.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This is a time for advocates, survivors, their loved ones, and the community to come together to talk openly about sexual violence to support survivors, increase knowledge and awareness, and identify strategies and resources to prevent sexual violence.
Kirkwood's SAAM events will be included on the Calendar of Events.
Please contact Melissa Payne, Title IX Coordinator, at melissa.payne@kirkwood.edu.