Community Commitments Environment Free of Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Assault
Westmont College does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, religion, marital status, military status, or veteran status (see Notice of Nondiscrimination).
While the college lawfully exercises the right to seek and hire faculty and staff co-religionists at all levels of employment and hold members of its community to conduct standards that are consistent with its established faith-based tenets, the college will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment in any of its programs, practices or policies; nor will it tolerate retaliation against any individual for making a complaint, for participating in the investigation of a complaint, or for otherwise opposing unlawful conduct as described in the Westmont College Unlawful Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures and the Bias, Harassment and Discrimination Policies and Procedures.
Westmont’s community commitment to an environment free of unlawful discrimination, unlawful harassment, and sexual assault encompasses and extends beyond its obligations under Title IX. It also is evident in the:
- Training Resources provided to students, faculty and staff.
- Means of Reporting Concerns and Complaints.
- Information made available to the public through the Clery Report.
- Publication of Resources for Victims.
Title IX. 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 that receive federal financial assistance. It 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.
Westmont’s Unlawful Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures and the Bias, Harassment and Discrimination Policies and Procedures cover allegations of discrimination on the basis of gender and other protected categories.
The college’s Title IX Coordinator is Compliance Officer Jason Tavarez. He may be contacted at jtavarez@westmont.edu, 805-565-6633, or Kerrwood Hall 209.
Training Resources. The Title IX Coordinator regularly trains supervisors, report recipients and Title IX Officers on their responsibilities by virtue of the law and of college policies. In addition:
- Students are strongly encouraged to complete an online training program on Substance Abuse & Sexual Assault Prevention for Students.
- Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to access online training materials provided by United Educators. These include:
- Prevent Discrimination and Harassment Together: Faculty
- Prevent Discrimination and Harassment Together: Supervisors
- Prevent Sexual Violence Together
Reporting Concerns and Complaints. In the event of an emergency, all faculty, staff, students, and visitors should call 911, and then call the Campus Safety Department. The Campus Safety Department can be reached from any campus phone by dialing ext. 6222 or (805) 565-6222 from an off-campus phone.
Handbooks for students, faculty, and staff provide means for reporting concerns and complaints. A summary of these avenues for students is included in the Student Concerns and Complaint Policy.
The Westmont College Unlawful Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures and Bias, Harassment and Discrimination Policies and Procedures identify those designated to receive such reports. Individuals may also use the Unlawful Sexual Misconduct and Bias-Related Incident Report Form.
Clery Report. Each year, Westmont distributes information about its campus safety procedures, crime statistics, and campus fire safety procedures. This is an online report.
Resources for Victims. Students are encouraged to take advantage as needed of campus resources -- e.g., CAPS and Health Center (additional resources for students are included on the Student Life Policies, Procedures, & Resources website). Likewise, faculty and staff are encouraged to take advantage as needed of Employee Assistance Program benefits (including counseling and legal services) and other off-campus resources.