Peninsula College recognizes its responsibilities for investigation, resolution, implementation of corrective measures, and monitoring the education environment and workplace to stop, remediate, and prevent discrimination.
Peninsula College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal.
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded educational program or activity. Harassment is a form of discrimination.
- Discrimination is Defined as:
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Unfavorable treatment of a person based on that person’s race, creed, color, religion, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender identity, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. This treatment is sufficiently severe or pervasive so as to substantially deny or limit that person’s ability to benefit from or fully participate in educational programs or activities or employment opportunities.
Harassment can take different forms. It is unwelcome and offensive conduct, including verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct. It is directed at a person because of the person’s protected status and is sufficiently serious as to deny or limit the ability of the person to participate in or benefit from employment or educational program. It can also create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for other college community members. The conduct can be carried out by college employees, students, or visitors.
- Harassment Includes, but is Not Limited To:
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a. Racial epithets, "jokes," offensive or derogatory comments, or other verbal or physical conduct based on an individual's race/color.
b. Ethnic slurs, workplace graffiti, or other offensive conduct directed towards an individual's birthplace, ethnicity, culture, or foreign accent.
c. Verbal or physical abuse, “jokes” or offensive comments based on an individual’s age, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.
d. Making, posting, e-mailing, or circulating demeaning or offensive pictures, cartoons or other materials in the workplace that relate to race, ethnic origin, gender or one of the other protected categories listed above.
Under Title IX, sex discrimination includes discrimination or harassment based on someone’s:
- Sex
- Gender identity or expression
- Sexual orientation
- Pregnancy or parental status
- Marital status
A Title IX offense can also be sexual violence. “Sexual violence” is a type of sexual discrimination and harassment. Types of sexual violence include:
- Nonconsensual sexual intercourse
- Nonconsensual sexual contact
- Domestic violence
- Dating violence
- Stalking
Reporting an Incident or Situation
- How to Report:
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Students, employees, and visitors are encouraged to report all forms of discrimination and/or harassment. Any person who believes that he or she has been the subject of discrimination or sexual harassment may file a complaint. There are many ways to report:
- File an online report by submitting a PC Cares Report:
- File a report with Peninsual College Campus Safety
- Mail Title IX Coordinator Hanan Zawideh at 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles, WA 98362
- Email Title IX Coordinator Hanan Zawideh at hzawideh@pencol.edu.
- Call Title IX Coordinator Hanan Zawideh at (360) 417-6212.
- Meet with Title IX Coordinator Hanan Zawideh in C Building, room C36.
- Tell a trusted Peninsula College employee and ask for their help reporting.
- How Does the College Respond to a Complaint?
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The College takes any complaint about discrimination or sexual harassment very seriously and will investigate the complaint in a prompt, thorough, and impartial manner. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the discrimination or sexual harassment/violence occurred. The College respects the rights of both the complainant and the person(s) addressed in the complaint.
Depending on the facts of the situation, the College may proceed with actions consistent with its due process procedures, Office of Civil Rights guidance, personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements, and Student Rights and Responsibilities Code. While an investigation is under way and/or as part of its resolution, the College may takes steps to prevent the person(s) addressed in the complaint from contact with the complainant. If the behavior may be criminal, you have the right to file a criminal complaint. This will not delay the College in doing its own work to resolve the complaint promptly and equitably.
- What About Retaliation?
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The College prohibits any form of retaliation against a complainant, a respondent, or a witness. Any allegation of retaliation will result in an immediate investigation and appropriate action to stop the retaliation.
What are some examples of retaliation? Retaliation is any adverse action taken because you complained or a person thinks you complained. For example:
- Lowering your grade
- Poor performance rating
- Changing work duties or assignments
- Exclusion from meetings
- Not being called on in class
- Change of work scheduled
- Being threatened
- Accommodations:
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- Employee Accommodations: contact ADA Coordinator Kelley Opdyke at ksmart@pencol.edu or (360) 417-7985.
- Access Services at ssd@pencol.edu or (360) 417-6373
- Off-Campus Avenues to File a Complaint:
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Peninsula College students, faculty, and staff have multiple off-campus avenues to file a complaint:
Washington State Human Rights Commission
Policy & Procedure
Peninsula College follows an approved College Board policy and procedure when a report is made:
https://pencol.navexone.com/content/docview/?docid=325&public=true
https://pencol.navexone.com/content/docview/?docid=321&public=true
https://pencol.navexone.com/content/docview/?docid=326&public=true
https://pencol.navexone.com/content/docview/?docid=327&public=true
Who is the Title IX Coordinator?
The Title IX/EEO Coordinators are Vice President of Human Resources, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Hanan Zawideh, and Vice President of Student Services Krista Francis. They have oversight of the College’s compliance with Title IX, the federal regulation that prohibits sexual harassment. The Title IX Coordinators can help you through the process, help with interim measures and connect you with resources.
Title IX Administrator Training
In compliance with regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Education 34 C.F.R. § 106.45(b)(10)(D), below is a list of all trainings completed by individuals designated by LCC as a Title IX Coordinator or designee, investigator, decision-maker, advisor or any person designated by the College to facilitate an informal resolution process as outlined in the College’s Title IX Grievance Procedures.