Discrimination:

TSTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status, or on any other basis that would be in violation of any applicable federal, state, or local law (SOS HR 2.1.14) in its programs and activities and provides equal access to applicants, employees and students.

Sexual Harassment:

Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination and therefore prohibited under Title IX. “Sexual harassment is conduct that is sexual in nature, unwelcome and denies or limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from a school’s education program.”

The following are examples of conduct that may constitute sexual harassment:

• Inappropriate touching, patting or pinching
• Physical assault or coerced sexual activity
• Obscene phone calls, texts, email or gestures
• Badgering someone for a date
• Repeatedly making in appropriate sexual comments or unwanted sexual advances

Quid Pro Quo – Latin meaning “this for that.” The more commonly understood meaning is “if you do something for me, I’ll do something for you.”  An example of quid pro quo is when an instructor threatens to fail a student unless the student agrees to date the instructor.

Hostile Work Environment – Hostile environment occurs when unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it affects a student’s ability to benefit from an educational program or activity, or creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment. A hostile environment can be created by a college employee, another student, or even someone visiting the college such as a student or employee from another school or college.

Any person (student, faculty, staff or guest) who believes they have been subjected to discriminatory practices bases upon gender may discuss their concerns and/or file a complaint with the any of the Title IX Coordinators below.

All TSTC college employees including student worker’s with the exception of those working in a confidential capacity (e.g., TSTC counselors) who learn of suspected instances of gender based discrimination, dating violence, domestic violence, hostile environment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, stalking, retaliation, or other forms of sexual misconduct directly or indirectly, have a duty to refer the information immediately to the following campus contacts below:

If this is an emergency that involves an imminent risk of harm to self or others, please contact TSTC campus police/security or local police prior to clicking this link below.

• You may report any sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking incidents online by clicking this link.
• Click here for the Title IX Victim Services Form.
• HR 2.4.15 Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct and Gender-based Discrimination

Incidents may be reported directly to law enforcement, either separately or in conjunction with any report made to the College’s Title IX Coordinator, and the College will provide assistance in making contact if requested.

• TSTC Police Department by visiting https://tstc.edu/about/police or by calling 9-1-1.
• Edda Urrea, Sr. Executive Director of Human Resources Learning and Development, Title IX Coordinator for students/employees/visitors: emurrea@tstc.edu

Unless specifically identified otherwise by policy, all faculty, staff, and administrators of TSTC are considered mandated reporters and are required to notify the College’s Title IX Coordinator of any incident of discrimination and harassment disclosed to them or known to them involving a member of the campus community.

If you want to make a formal complaint, your instructor can help to connect you to the Title IX Coordinator, or you can connect with the Title IX Coordinator directly yourself if you prefer, using the contact information above. Once you are connected with the Coordinator, you are under no obligation to take any action.

The College respects your right to file or not file a formal complaint. The Title IX Coordinator must take action only in situations that pose a serious threat of harm to you or the community, or in the case of misconduct by an employee. Otherwise, you are in control of how the College responds.

In all cases, the College’s formal grievance process is confidential, and a small group of those administrators with a need to know will be given information about your situation.

If you are in need of support or advocacy and wish to discuss such matters confidentially, you are invited to consult any of the resources found in the Title IX and VAWA Booklet found at https://tstc.edu/student_life/titleix.

Unlike other College employees, TSTC has counselors that confidential and are exempted from mandatory reporting obligations to the Title IX Coordinator. You can find a list of the counselor from across the state at https://tstc.edu/student_life/counseling2.

If you would like more information on the College policies and procedures, please visit Statewide Operating Standards.

If you would like to access the College’s brochure summarizing your rights and resources, https://tstc.edu/student_life/titleix.

Click here to view the most recent Title IX Summary Data Report.