Student Life Office
Kumm Center, Room 100
411 7th Street North
La Crosse, WI 54601
If you are not safe, or if you need immediate help: Call 911 or Western's Security Office at 608-785-9191.
Sex-Based Harassment and Discrimination
Western wants to help all students and employees find the resources they need to feel safe from sex discrimination, sex-based harassment or violence, and other harm. Nearly every Western employee can help you begin the process of leaving dangerous situations and relationships, asserting your rights to equal treatment, and achieving your dreams.
Sex-based harassment is an umbrella definition that includes the offenses of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Acts of sex-based harassment may be committed by any person upon another person, regardless of the sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity of those involved.
If you are not safe, or if you need immediate help: Call 911 or Western's Security Office: 608-785-9191. Immediately following a sexual assault, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Visit the Safety and Security website for more information about campus safety efforts.
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 (amending the Higher Education Act of 1965) is the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational institutions. This act is codified as Title 20, United States Code, Chapter 38, Sections 1681-1686. The act was also amended by the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 ("Title IX").
The law 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." The amendment in 1987 expanded the definition of "program or activity" to include all the operations of an educational institution, governmental entity, or private employer that receives federal funds.
Western prohibits all forms of illegal discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and coercion on campus and at College related activities and functions. Western takes a strong stance against sexual misconduct. The College seeks to create and maintain a campus free from sex-based harassment by using a combination of education, programming, training for students and staff, clear policies, and consistent sanctions for any violation of these policies. The College’s Title IX Coordinator, supported by a cross-functional team, assists in ensuring compliance. The Office of Human Resources, along with the Student Life Office, provides trained investigators to address any reported issues of sexual misconduct involving staff and/or students.
Allegations of violations of Title IX, or inquiries or concerns regarding Western’s Title IX policies and procedures can be made to the Title IX Coordinators:
Title IX Coordinator – Students & Others
Ge Vang
Manager of Student Life and Integrity
Kumm Center, Room 100
La Crosse Campus
vangg@westerntc.edu
608-785-9444
Title IX Coordinator – Employees
Megan Hoffman
Associate Director of HR, Compensation, Benefits, and Compliance
Administrative Center, Room 109
La Crosse Campus
hoffmanm@westerntc.edu
608-785-9274
Title IX Pregnant Students
Your Rights
Title IX provides students who are pregnant or experience a false pregnancy, have a child or adopt a child, terminate a pregnancy or have a miscarriage with special services as it provides to students with other temporary medical conditions. As a student with one of these conditions, you have the right to:
- Not be told to drop out or change education plans
- Be provided a comfortable space that is clean and shielded from view to pump milk
- Be excused from class due to pregnancy-related appointments (pre-natal, give birth, have an abortion or be on doctor-ordered bed rest)
- Not have excused absences count against your grades
- Be provided the opportunity to make up missed work from excused absences
- Be allowed to take a voluntarily leave of absence
- Be allowed to voluntarily access any separate and comparable portion of the College’s education program or activity if such a comparable portion of the program or activity is available.
- Not be harassed as the result of pregnancy
- Only provide documentations when necessary and reasonable for modification request
- Reasonable modifications may include, but are not limited to,
- breaks during class to express breast milk, breastfeed, or attend to health needs associated with pregnancy or related conditions, including eating, drinking, or using the restroom;
- intermittent absences to attend medical appointments;
- access to online or homebound education;
- changes in schedule or course sequence;
- extensions of time for coursework and rescheduling of tests and examinations;
- allowing a student to sit or stand, or carry or keep water nearby;
- counseling;
- changes in physical space or supplies (for example, access to a larger desk or a footrest);
- elevator access; or other changes to policies, practices, or procedures.
- Be allowed to have discretion to accept or decline each reasonable modification offered
Title IX does not assist with childcare issues, bonding time or similar parenting situations and challenges. What is meant by the context of Title IX is the medical recovery from the above conditions listed.
Private Wellness Rooms for Personal Needs
Western has designated Wellness rooms for personal use, including lactation (breast pumping). Under Wisconsin law, women may breastfeed their child in any area where the general public is allowed to go.
The Wellness rooms are located in Coleman Room 252, Student Success Center Room 110, and the Administrative Building Room 219.
All the rooms have a small fridge, sitting chair, and lock from the inside. There should be a slider that indicates when a room is in use.
The Rights of Fathers
Some of the same protections and accommodations apply to fathers as well; however, in some situations, fathers will not receive the same modifications due to the nature of pregnancy and recovery.
Apply for Title IX Pregnancy Modifications
Pregnancy and parenting modification is available for all Western students. For modifications, contact Kris Follansbee, Manager of Access Services, at 608-785-9875 or follansbeek@westerntc.edu
The Modification Process
- Pregnant students are encouraged, but not required, to contact the Title IX Coordinator and Manager of Access Services early in their pregnancy. Modification rights are not made until you have contacted Access Service and completed the required paperwork.
- Western's Access Services will guide the student in obtaining appropriate medical documentation of their condition and the medical basis for modifications. Modifications are implemented based on what is determined by the medical provider.
- Access Services will work with the students and their instructors to implement the modifications.
- The student is ultimately responsible for obtaining the appropriate medical documentation. Access Services will help guide you through the process and answer all of your questions.
Discrimination against a person on the basis of past or current parental status, pregnancy and related conditions, and marital status is a violation of Western policy and federal law. Those who believe they were subject to discrimination may file a complaint or contact the Title IX Coordinator, Ge Vang, at 608-785-9444 or vangg@westerntc.edu or the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Margy Krogman, at 608-785-9880 or krogmanm@westerntc.edu.
Policy Statements
Anti-Harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy
Western Technical College (Western) is committed to building and preserving an educational and workplace environment where students and employees can learn and work together free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation in all benefits, programs, and activities. To ensure Western’s commitment to fostering an environment built on a foundation of integrity, teamwork, and respect, the college has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair, and impartial process for complaints of discrimination and harassment on the basis of Protected Characteristics, and for complaints regarding retaliation. Western is committed to ensuring compliance with federal and state civil rights and First Amendment laws and regulations.
Sex Offender Registry
In accordance with the federal law Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act (section 1601 of Public Law 106-386 and Western’s Student Code of Conduct, any student intending to enroll in courses at Western must self-report their status as a registrant on the sex offender registry to the Manager of Student Life and Integrity or their designee prior to registering for classes. A student is defined as any person who attends and/or is enrolled in any classes or academic program at the College.
Failure to notify the College is deemed to be a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and is subject to possible conduct sanctions.
To self-report, email vangg@westerntc.edu, call 608-785-9444 or stop by the Student Life Office, Kumm Center Room 100 to talk with the Manager of Student Life and Integrity.
Procedures
- Student notifies the Manager of Student Life and Integrity.
- The Manager of Student Life and Integrity will review the prospective student’s class schedule/academic program to determine what restrictions, if any, should be put in place.
- The Manager of Student Life and Integrity will coordinate with the Western Care Team to review all relevant and necessary information provided by law enforcement personnel to assess any safety issues posed for the College community.
- A determination will be made if there is a legitimate educational interest to contact the prospective student’s probation/parole officer and/or agency/person who is supervising the registered sex offender. This contact information will be provided by the prospective student upon request and Western Campus Community Safety will do the outreach.
- The Western Care Team will determine the level of notification to be released to any members of the College community. The College may follow the same notification level utilized by local law enforcement based on level of concern for community safety.
- After determining the appropriate restrictions, if any, the Manager of Student Life and Integrity will meet with the prospective student to discuss the outcomes. A written letter will be given to the prospective student containing the information discussed in the meeting. The prospective student will be advised that their failure to comply with any of the imposed restrictions may result in a denial of enrollment, revocation of access to campus(es), and/or the decision of the College to contact local law enforcement authorities.
- Campus Community Safety will coordinate with local law enforcement personnel to ensure that the College has relevant and current sex offender information. Sex offender information in the State of Wisconsin is compiled by the Department of Corrections (DOC). The College does not independently verify sex offender registration information, nor is it responsible for its accuracy. Unlawful use of the information for purposes of intimidation or harassment is prohibited.
To learn the identity of registered sex offenders on or near campus, or anywhere in Wisconsin, visit http://appsdoc.wi.gov/public.
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