About Title IX

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
“Title IX” refers to Title IX of the Educational amendments act of 1972, which amended the Civil rights Act of 1964.

All forms of physical emotional, sexual or gender-based harassment, including but not limited to, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault are violations of Title IX. Title IX protects individuals of all genders and sexual orientations and applies to

• students
• faculty
• staff
• independent contractors
• campus visitors and
• other participants in university educational programs and activities.

To ensure compliance with Title IX and other federal and state civil rights laws, the University has designated a Title IX Coordinator to monitor compliance with Title IX and ensure reports of physical, emotional, sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct are investigated and addressed by the University.
 

Contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator or the Privileged Campus Advocate if you:

• Have questions or concerns about your rights under Title IX
• Believe you or someone you know have been a victim of physical, emotional, sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct.

1. It is not only about sports. Title IX is a landmark federal civil right that prohibits discrimination in education.
2. It does not apply to only females. Title IX protects any person from acts of discrimination, regardless of their gender.
3. It covers students, employees and guests of EOU.
4. Sex-based discrimination includes sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination, sexual violence and other sexual misconduct.
5. EOU will immediately take action when any discrimination, sexual harassment or sexual violence is reported.
6. EOU has a designated person on campus to coordinate and address Title IX violations.
7. EOU has an obligation to investigate any reports of physical, emotional, or sexual misconduct. EOU will also take steps to stop harassment, remedy the effects of harassment and prevent reoccurrence.
8. Any person who brings forward a complaint or participates in an investigation is protected from retaliation.
9. EOU has workshops for students and employees on Title IX.

If you have experienced or have heard of someone that has experienced any listed below, it is covered under Title IX.  This list is not all inclusive so you may want to connect with someone to learn more.

Harassment (gender/sex)
Verbal pressure
Sexual Misconduct
Intimidation
Coercion/Manipulation
Incapacitation due to drugs or alcohol
Sexting
Threats to harm
Abuse of authority (supervisory, instructor, etc.)

Stalking
Manipulation
Sexting
Threats to harm
Abuse of authority (supervisory, etc.)

Bullying
Manipulation
Sexting
Threats to harm
Abuse of authority (supervisory, etc.)

Hate Crime
Threats to harm

Bias
Manipulation
Abuse of authority (supervisory, etc.)

Sexual Misconduct
Incapacitation due to drugs or alcohol
Sexting
Sextortion

Dating Violence
Incapacitation due to drugs or alcohol
Sexting
Threats to harm

Domestic Violence
Incapacitation due to drugs or alcohol
Sexting
Threats to harm

Interpersonal Violence
Incapacitation due to drugs or alcohol
Sexting
Threats to harm

Microaggression
Manipulation
Sexting
Abuse of authority (supervisor, etc.)

Other
Something doesn’t seem right? Connect with someone to learn more and see if it is a Title IX topic to address.

Connect with Someone to Learn More

Things you should know about your rights:
You have the right to report the incident to your school, have your school investigate what happened and have your complaint resolved promptly and equitably.

You have the right to choose to report an incident of violence to either campus or local law enforcement. A criminal investigation does not relieve your school of its duty under Title IX to respond promptly and effectively.

Your school should ensure that you are aware of your Title IX rights and any available resources such as victim advocacy, housing assistance, academic support, counseling, disability services, health and mental health services, and legal assistance.

All students, faculty, and staff are protected by Title IX regardless of whether they have a disability, are international or undocumented, and regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

You have the right to:

• Be heard and treated with respect
• Know your options to make a informed decision
• A Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) to collect evidence
• Medical response to include emergency contraception and sexually transmitted infection medication
• Counseling and victim services – connect with our Privileged Campus Advocate at Advocate@eou.edu to learn more.

Sexual Misconduct Is…

Sexual contact without consent.
Sexual intercourse without consent.
Sexual harassment or exploitation.

Examples of Sexual Misconduct

• Oral or written comments of a sexual nature including electronic correspondence or discussion board posts or similar
• Sexually explicit statements, questions, jokes, or anecdotes
• Touching, patting, hugging, brushing against a person’s body, and/or repeated focused staring
• Disparaging remarks and gestures about one’s sexual activity, experience, gender or sexual orientation
• Display of inappropriate sexually oriented materials in the workplace
• Sexual propositions, innuendos, invitations, solicitations, and flirtations
• Suggestive or insulting sounds or whistles
• Requests of an explicit or implicit sexual nature as a term or condition of employment or academic status
• Repeated requests for “dates” after refusal
• Rape, attempted rape, or other sexual assault

Stalking Is…

Physical, verbal, electronic or other contact that is unwanted, targeted and persistent. The behavior makes someone uncomfortable and fearful for them and others.

Examples of Stalking

• Non-consensual contact with someone using some but not all of the following:
  Phone calls | Texting | Emails | Unwanted gifts
• Repeated visual or close proximity, like waiting outside a building for someone to leave or arrive at the location.
• Following someone.
• Watching someone from a distance.
• Other behavior that tracks, contacts, harass or threatens someone.
• Persistently sending messages to a person through the internet, such as spamming their email or social media.
• Posting threatening or personal information on public internet forums.
• Installing videos to give access to a persons personal life.
• Using GPS or other technology to track a persons whereabouts without their consent.
• Using someone’s computer or spyware to track a persons activity.

This list does not provide all examples of stalking. To learn more about stalking behavior, contact our Title IX Coordinator at TitleIX@eou.edu.

Sextortion describes a crime that happens online when a person convinces another to share sexual pictures or perform sexual acts using technology. Coercion is usually in the form of threats to reveal evidence of their sexual activity such as videos, pictures, etc. The predator will threaten to show the pictures to a parent, family member, boyfriend/girlfriend or someone that is shameful to the victim.

Eastern Oregon University is committed to full adherence to the Title IX law. We are here to support and protect you. If you feel that your Title IX rights have been violated, or if you are unsure, connect with the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Coordinator right away.

Who can help?

On Campus Resources

• Privileged Campus Advocate(confidential)
• Student Counseling Center(confidential)
• Campus Advocates(Responsible Employee)
• EOU Employee(Responsible Employee)
• Title IX Coordinator
• Your RA in campus housing(Responsible Employee)
• File an anonymous report to EOU

Off Campus Resources

• La Grande Police Department | 541.963.1017
• Shelter From The Storm
• FBI

What is a bystander

Also known as the Genovese Effect, Bystander Effect is named after an incident where a woman was murdered in the 1960′s, her neighbors heard her screaming but failed to react. This apathetic approach sparked much interest and controversy, asking the question if society had reached a new low. This same kind of phenomenon can also happen within organizations when stories or incidents are occurring and employees and team members look the other way for a variety of reasons. Reasons can include rationale such as the following:

Don’t want to get involved.
It isn’t that bad.
It does not involve me.
Somebody else will report it.
It is none of my business.

Be an Active Bystander

An Active Bystander is one that will recognize a situation is not right and intervenes to help the victim. Intervening comes in a variety of ways to fit your comfort. The video below helps capture different ways to intervene without escalating the situation.