Title IX
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex of students and employees of educational institutions, including prohibiting sexual harassment, discrimination, assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.
We are here to help
If you have you experienced sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, sexual harassment, stalking, or sex- or gender-based discrimination as an M State student, staff, faculty member or visitor, please seek help. M State has supportive resources and can offer measures to help you. M State's Counseling Services is a place you can go for confidential help instead of contacting the Title IX office. For more resources and support, in situations of sexual violence or harassment, visit Sexual Misconduct Resources.
What is covered by Title IX?
In compliance with Title IX, Minnesota State Community and Technical College and the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities prohibit discrimination in all educational programs and activities on the basis of sex.
Programs under Title IX at M State include academic programs, admissions, recruitment, financial aid, student engagement/life, athletics, fine arts and employment (this list is not exhaustive). Title IX is frequently thought of as a law that applies only to athletic programs, but it is much broader. Title IX applies to all educational programs and activities at M State.
Pregnancy, childbirth and parenting
Title IX also offers protections for pregnant or new parents who are students or staff. M State does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions. The college will provide reasonable and appropriate adjustments and flexibility, upon request, to students based on their documented pregnancy-related circumstances. Such circumstances may include pregnancy, complications arising from pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, false pregnancy, miscarriage, termination of pregnancy or recovery. M State also has support for parenting students with children under the age of 18.
Minnesota State is committed to ensuring its programs, services, and activities are accessible to students who may be pregnant, experiencing a pregnancy-related condition, or parenting a child under the age of 18. Minnesota State recognizes that students experiencing the aforementioned may need modifications or adjustments to have equitable opportunities to participate in, or benefit from, programs, services, and activities.
Request modifications for academic support
Students needing pregnancy-related accommodations can seek assistance at 218.299.6522 or complete the Pregnancy & Parenting Accommodation Assistance Request
Students seeking parenting modifications under Minnesota State Policy 1B.1.3 - Access and Modifications for Pregnant and Parenting Students, should contact their academic advisor or the Title IX Coordinator for assistance with their courses.
Students are encouraged to work with their advisors and faculty members to reschedule course assignments, lab hours, examinations, or other requirements and/or to reduce their overall course load as appropriate.
If, for any reason, parenting students are not able to work with their advisors or faculty members to obtain appropriate modifications, students should alert the Title IX coordinator or designee as soon as possible, and the office will evaluate and facilitate modifications.
More information
Lactation rooms
The college recognizes the breastfeeding needs of new parents by providing comfortable, private lactation rooms for students on all four M State campuses:
- Detroit Lakes – across from E102 (under repair) and E112e
- Fergus Falls – W640 and S417
- Moorhead – C124 (two spaces are available here)
- Wadena – S10A (second is under construction)
M State Title IX Coordinator
Elise Sturdivant
Vice President of Student Affairs / Title IX Coordinator
218.299.6853
elise.sturdivant@minnesota.edu
titleix@minnesota.edu
Moorhead Campus D120g (serves all four campuses)
Responsibilities of the coordinator include monitoring and oversight of overall implementation of Title IX compliance and the prevention of harassment and discrimination at the college, including the coordination of training, education, communications and administration of grievance procedures for faculty, staff, students and other members of the college community.
Complaint procedure
To report an incident of sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, harassment or discrimination complete the Title IX Sexual Misconduct Incident Reporting Form, or Report a Concern, visit Sexual Misconduct Resources, and/or contact either of these M State employees:
Elise Sturdivant
Title: Vice President of Student Affairs / Title IX Coordinator
Phone: 218.299.6853
Email: elise.sturdivant@minnesota.edu
TitleIX@minnesota.edu
Office Location: Moorhead Campus D120g
Investigator roles: 1B.1 and 1B.3 designated officer, investigator and decision maker; parenting navigator
Dacia Johnson
Title: VP of Human Resources/Deputy Title IX coordinator
Phone: 218.736.1512
Email: dacia.johnson@minnesota.edu
Office Location: Fergus Falls Campus A520
Investigator roles: 1B.1 and 1B.3 designated officer, investigator and decision maker
**Confidential help or reporting: You may seek help from the M State counselors for incidents of sexual violence, dating violence, stalking, harassment, or discrimination and they will keep it confidential. You can also report an incident anonymously using the Title IX Sexual Misconduct Incident Reporting Form. Please note if you are seeking help for yourself and you complete the linked form anonymously, it may limit M State's ability to offer support without your identity.
Report possible violations
- Report possible Title IX (1B.3) (sexual assault or sexual discrimination) violations on the Title IX Sexual Misconduct Incident Reporting Form
- Report possible 1B.1 (all forms of discrimination) violations on the Discrimination Reporting Form - Student, Faculty and Staff
- Report a concern with one of our reporting forms
- Title IX process timeline
Additional Title IX resources
- Minnesota State 1B.3 process flowchart
- Minnesota State 1B.1 process flowchart
- Sexual misconduct resources
- It’s on Us to stop sexual assault
- M State pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding student information and resources (Moorhead campus)
- Faculty Title IX syllabus statements
- Sexual assault awareness options (flowchart)
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) [PDF] - Learn about M State's responsibilities under Title IX and VAWA and find resources and help.
Title IX personnel training materials
These materials have been used to train M State’s Title IX personnel including Title IX coordinators, investigators, decision makers and anyone who may facilitate an informal resolution process. The list of trainings is being updated and will be published soon.
Minnesota State system applicable policies
- Minnesota State system Board Policy 1B.1 Non-Discrimination in Employment and Education
- System Procedure 1B.1.3 Access and Modifications for Pregnant and Parenting Students
- Minnesota State system Board Policy 1B.3 Sexual Misconduct Policy
- All M State policies and procedures can be found at Policies and Procedures
