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 during this time. M State's Counseling Services offices (minnesota.edu/counseling) are places you can go to seek out confidential help in lieu of contacting the Title IX office. For more resources and support, in situations of sexual violence or harassment, click here: Sexual violence 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 breastfeeding

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. 

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Breastfeeding: Student Information and Resources (Moorhead Campus)

Students needing pregnancy-related accommodations can seek assistance at 218.299.6522 or by completing this form:  https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?MNStateCTC&layout_id=9

Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You From Discrimination at School

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
  • Fergus Falls – W640
  • Moorhead – C124
  • Wadena – N17

Who coordinates Title IX at M State?

kara.hemling

Kara Helmig

Director of Title IX and Clery Compliance

Title IX Coordinator

218.299.6522

kara.helmig@minnesota.edu

TitleIX@minnesota.edu

Moorhead Campus B160 (serves all 4 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 click on the 'Make a Title IX Report' icon above, visit www.minnesota.edu/sexual-violence-resources for more information/resources, or contact any of the following individuals:

Name and TitlePhone #EmailOffice LocationInvestigator

Kara Helmig

Director of Title IX and Clery Compliance

218.299.6522

kara.helmig@minnesota.edu

TitleIX@minnesota.edu

Moorhead Campus D1111B.1 & 1B.3 Investigator & Decision Maker

Matt Borcherding

VP of Academic Affairs

218.736.1506matthew.borcherding@minnesota.eduFergus Falls Campus C336; Moorhead Campus A1111B.1 Decision Maker
     

Dacia Johnson

VP of Human Resources/Deputy Title IX Coordinator

218.736.1512dacia.johnson@minnesota.eduFergus Falls Campus A5201B.1 & 1B.3 Investigator & Decision Maker

Report possible violations here:

Report possible Title IX (1B.3) (sexual assault or sexual discrimination) violations here: Click here to report possible Title IX (1B.3) violations

Report possible 1B.1 (all forms of discrimination) violations here: Click here to report possible 1B.1 violations

Title IX process timeline flowchart

Additional Title IX resources

Below are more resources available to the college community:

Title IX personnel training materials

Below are materials that 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.

Minnesota State system applicable policies