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. FPTC’s Title IX policy provides consultation for Title IX subject incidents to ensure appropriate, effective, and equitable response to Title IX issues.  Overall, Title IX provides a reporting method to seek corrective action against discrimination and Sexual Harassment/Assault that are severe and pervasive and objectively offensive conduct, effectively denying a person equal educational access (Supreme Court Definition “Davis” case).

Florida Panhandle Technical College does not, and shall not, discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, enrollment of students, and any provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. 

Sexual misconduct includes sexual harassment (including, but not limited to dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking), sexual violence (including, but not limited to rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, & stalking), and all other forms of sex discrimination. Such misconduct may be illegal, and is a violation of FPTC’s policy, and is contrary to its values which recognize the dignity and worth of each person. 

School Response to Complaints: Once the school has actual knowledge, they must take action. Actual Knowledge is defined as the time when the school has notice of such an occurrence. The Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the complainant or victim listed in complaint to determine if the victim desires to file a formal complaint. 

Right to Supportive Measures shall be employed under the TITLE IX guidelines as correctly and appropriately applicable. No Supportive measures will be punishment for the filing of a complaint. The Final Rule defines “supportive measures” as individualized services reasonably available that are non-punitive, non-disciplinary, and not unreasonably burdensome to the other party while designed to ensure equal educational access, protect safety, or deter sexual harassment. Additional, Supportive Measures and remedies based on what is not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances, and does not second guess a school’s disciplinary decisions, but requires the school to offer supportive measures, and provide remedies to a complainant whenever a respondent is found responsible.

Equitable Treatment

Title IX states that a school’s grievance process must: 

1. Treat complainants equitably by providing remedies any time a respondent is found responsible, and treat respondents equitably by not imposing disciplinary sanctions without following the grievance process prescribed in the 
2. Remedies, which are required to be provided to a complainant when a respondent is found responsible, must be designed to maintain the complainant’s equal access to education and may include the same individualized services
3. Remedies may be disciplinary or punitive and may burden the respondent. 
4. Require objective evaluation of all relevant evidence, inculpatory and exculpatory, and avoid credibility determinations based on a person’s status as a complainant, respondent, or witness. 

FPTC will process complaints to determine a Preponderance of Evidence for the final determination of all Formal Complaints of sexual harassment.

Click link below to see the full process.

PROCESS

Filling out the complaint form online is the preferred method however, you may print this PDF and provide it in written/printed form to the Title IX Coordinator or Designee below.

Complainant: Person filing grievance (students and staff, as well as applicants, parents and unions, of their right, as a victim, witness or confidante, may file a Title IX violation.)

Respondent: Person accused of action.