“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…”
— 20 U.S.C.§ 1681

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination based on gender in educational programs which receive federal financial assistance. The law allows all students to attend school in an environment free of harassment, sexual misconduct, and discrimination.

While Title IX is well known for its application to athletics, other programs and activities are also included such as recruitment, admissions, financial aid and scholarships; course offerings and access; hiring and retention; and benefits and leave. Title IX also protects all students and employees, regardless of gender identity, from unlawful sexual harassment in school programs and activities. The requirements of Title IX pertaining to sexual harassment also cover sexual violence.

Connecticut State Community College (CSCC) takes our responsibility to address and protect these rights very seriously and is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex. Pursuant to Title IX, CSCC’s Title IX Coordinator is the designated agent for the college with primary responsibility for coordinating the college’s Title IX compliance efforts, this can include but is not limited to: overseeing the complaint process, addressing patterns or systemic problems, ensuring issues are addressed consistently and in adherence with the procedures, prepare and disseminate informational materials, and coordinate trainings/in-services for faculty and staff.

Any CSCC student or employee can contact the Title IX Coordinator with questions or to file a complaint.

CSCC Title IX Coordinator:
Dr. John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas
VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
johnpaul.chaissoncardenas@ctstate.edu 
860-612-7056

Each campus has a campus-based Deputy Title IX Coordinator who is available to support the students on campus, receive complaints, help students navigate the process, and answer questions.

There are campus-based counselors who can provide confidential counseling for students on all twelve of CT State’s campuses. Other free, confidential resources exist in the local communities around our 12 campuses. 

Some CSCU/BOR policies that may be connected to Title IX or have a higher likelihood of being relevant to a Title IX concern are the following:

• Statement Regarding Sexual Violence
• Title IX Statement
• Sexual Misconduct Policy
• CSCU Codes of Conduct (students and employees)
• Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

Sexual misconduct incorporates a range of behaviors including sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking, voyeurism, and any other conduct of a sexual nature that is nonconsensual or has the purpose or effect of threatening, intimidating, or coercing a person.

Sexual harassment includes requests for sexual favors, sexual advances or other sexual conduct when (1) submission is either explicitly or implicitly a condition affecting academic or employment decisions; (2) the behavior is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to create an intimidating, hostile or repugnant environment; or (3) the behavior persists despite objection by the person to whom the conduct is directed.

Sexual Assault is compelling by force, or the threat of force, the following: (1) Sexual penetration of the vagina or anus, including by a finger or an object; (2) Oral sex; (3) Contact with a person’s genital area, groin, anus, inner thighs, buttocks, or breasts for the purpose of sexual gratification of the actor or for the purpose of degrading or humiliating the victim; (4) Subjecting another to such sexual contact without consent.

Interpersonal Violence occurs when one person uses power and control over another through physical, sexual, or emotional threats or actions, economic control, isolation, or other kinds of coercive behavior. Some types of interpersonal violence are:

Domestic/Family Violence means an incident resulting in physical harm, bodily injury or assault, or an act of threatened violence that constitutes fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, including, but not limited to, stalking or a pattern of threatening, between family or household members.

Dating/Relationship Violence occurs when one intimate or romantic partner tries to maintain power and control over the other through words and actions that are physically and emotionally abusive. Dating violence can take many forms including physical violence, coercion, threats, intimidation, isolation, and emotional, sexual or economic abuse.

Sexual Violence is any type of sexual activity that a person does not agree to. It includes sexual assault; sexual exploitation; stalking; sexual harassment; voyeurism; exposure; and sexual activity resulting from emotional coercion.

Consent occurs when all parties are legally able to consent based on their age (16 in CT). The agreement is based on an awareness of the specific sexual behavior in question. This agreement must be active, ongoing, unimpaired and it is able to be withdrawn at any point. Consent is a must for every form of sexual activity every time. A person has the right to withdraw consent even if that person has consented to sexual activity with that individual in the past. It is not valid if there is force, threats, intimidation, or coercion used. Connecticut State Law is clear that having sexual intercourse with someone who cannot consent is rape.