Harassment Policy - SOCCCD · 2015-11-19 · District policy. Gender-based harassment does not...

Harassment Policy &

comPlaint Procedure

SOUTHORANGECOUNTY

COLLEGECOMMUNITY

DISTRICT

What is Harassment 4Definitions 4General Harassment 6Sexual Harassment 7WhatAreYourRights? 9WhatAretheComplaintProcedures? 9WhentoFileaComplaint 12InitialInformationandChoicesProvidedtotheComplainant 13

TA B L E O F CON T E N T S

InformalResolutionofHarassmentComplaints 16DistrictFormalComplaintProcedures 18InvestigationoftheComplaint 22AdministrativeDetermination 24Extensions 28ExternalFormalProcedure 29WhatAretheRemedies 29WhatHelpisAvailable? 30

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s o u t H o r a n g e c o u n t y c o m m u n i t y c o l l e g e d i s t r i c t H a r a s s m e n t P o l i c y & c o m P l a i n t P r o c e d u r e

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Districtpolicy.Gender-basedharassmentdoesnotnecessarilyinvolveconductthatissexual.Anyhostileoroffensiveconductbasedongendercanconstituteprohibitedharassment.Forexample,repeatedderisivecommentsaboutaperson’scompetencytodothejob,whenbasedonthatperson’sgender,couldconstitutegender-basedharassment.Harassmentcomesinmanyforms,includingbutnotlimitedtothefollowingconduct:

Verbal:Inappropriateoroffensiveremarks,slurs,jokesorinnuendoesbasedonaperson’srace,gender,sexualorientation,orotherlegallyprotectedstatus.Thismayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,inappropriatecommentsregardinganindividual’sbody,physicalappearance,attire,sexualprowess,maritalstatusorsexualorientation;unwelcomeflirtingorpropositions;demandsforsexualfavors;verbalabuse,threatsorintimidation;orsexist,patronizingorridiculingstatementsthatconveyderogatoryattitudesbasedongender,race,nationality,sexualorientationorotherlegallyprotectedstatus(es).

Physical:Inappropriateoroffensivetouching,assault,orphysicalinterferencewithfreemovement.Thismayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,kissing,patting,lingeringorintimatetouches,grabbing,pinching,leering,staring,unnecessarilybrushingagainstorblockinganotherperson,whistlingorsexualgestures.Italsoincludesanyphysicalassaultorintimidationdirectedatanindividualduetothatperson’sgender,race,nationalorigin,sexualorientationorotherprotectedstatus.

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WHATISHARASSMENT?

TheSouthOrangeCountyCommunityCollegeDistrict(the“District”)iscommittedtoprovidinganacademicandworkenvironmentfreeofunlawfulharassment.Thispublicationdefinessexualharassmentandotherformsofharassmentprohibitedoncampus,andsetsforththeprocedurefortheinvestigationandresolutionof

complaintsofharassmentbyoragainstanystafforfacultymemberorstudentwithintheDistrict.

Thispolicyprotectsstudentsandemployeesinconnectionwithalltheacademic,educational,extracurricular,athletic,andotherprogramsoftheDistrict,whetherthoseprogramstakeplaceintheDistrict’sfacilities,aDistrictvehicle,orataclassortrainingprogramsponsoredbytheDistrictatanotherlocation.

DEFINITIONS

GeneralHarassment:Harassmentbasedongender,genderidentity,genderexpression,sex,maritalstatus,race,age,color,religion,nationalorigin,ethnicity,disability,medicalcondition,geneticinformation,sexualorientation,oranylegallyprotectedcharacteristic,ortheperceptionthatapersonhasoneormoreofthesecharacteristicsisillegalandviolates

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Physicalsexualharassmentincludesactsofsexualviolence,suchasrape,sexualassault,sexualbattery,andsexualcoercion.Sexualviolencereferstophysicalsexualactsperpetratedagainstaperson’swillorwhereapersonisincapableofgivingconsentduetothevictim’suseofdrugsoralcohol.Anindividualalsomaybeunabletogiveconsentduetoanintellectualorotherdisability.

VisualorWritten:Thedisplayorcirculationofvisualorwrittenmaterialthatdegradesanindividualorgroupbasedongender,race,nationality,sexualorientationorotherlegallyprotectedstatus.Thismayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,posters,cartoons,drawings,graffiti,readingmaterials,computergraphicsorelectronicmediatransmissions.

GENERALHARASSMENT

Environmental:Ahostileacademicorworkenvironmentexistswhereitispermeatedbysexualinnuendo;insultsorabusivecommentsdirectedatanindividualorgroupbasedongender,race,nationality,sexualorientationorotherlegallyprotectedstatus(es);orgratuitouscommentsregardinggender,race,sexualorientation,orotherlegallyprotectedstatus(es)thatarenotrelevanttothesubjectmatteroftheclassoractivitiesonthejob.Forexample,ahostileenvironmentcanarisefromanunwarrantedfocusonsexualtopicsorsexuallysuggestivestatementsintheclassroomorworkenvironment.Itcanalsobe

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createdbyanunwarrantedfocuson,orstereotypingof,particularracialorethnicgroups,sexualorientations,gendersorotherlegallyprotectedstatuses.Anenvironmentmayalsobehostiletowardanyonewhomerelywitnessesunlawfulharassmentinhisorherimmediatesurroundings,althoughtheconductisdirectedatothers.Thedeterminationofwhetheranenvironmentishostileisbasedonthetotalityofthecircumstances,includingsuchfactorsasthefrequencyoftheconduct,theseverityoftheconduct,whethertheconductishumiliatingorphysicallythreatening,andwhethertheconductunreasonablyinterfereswithanindividual’slearningorwork.

SEXUALHARASSMENT

SexualHarassment:Sexualharassingconductcanoccurbetweenpeopleofthesameordifferentgender.Thestandardfordeterminingwhetherconductconstitutessexualharassmentiswhetherareasonablepersonofthesamegenderasthevictimwouldperceivetheconductasharassmentbasedonsex.Sexualharassmentconsistsofunwelcomesexualadvances,requestsforsexualfavors,andotherconductofasexualnaturewhen:

• submissiontotheconductismadeatermorconditionofanindividual’semployment,academicstatus,orprogress;

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environmentashostile.Asingleorisolatedincidentofsexualharassmentmaybesufficienttocreateahostileenvironmentifitissevere,i.e.asexualassault.

WHATAREYOURRIGHTS?

FederalandstatelawsandDistrictpoliciesaffordemployeesandstudentstherighttoworkorlearninanenvironmentfreefromdiscriminatoryintimidation,ridicule,andinsult.TheDistrictanditscollegesareresponsibleformaintainingaclimatethatisfreeofillegalharassmentandextendsthisrighttoallprograms,services,andactivitiesconductedbytheDistrictanditscolleges,including,butnotlimitedto,workexperience,apprenticeship,internship,clinicaltraining,extendedday,communityservices,andotherprograms,services,andactivities.

WHATARETHECOMPLAINTPROCEDURES?

ImportanceofFilingaTimelyComplaintSincefailuretoreportharassmentimpedestheDistrict’sabilitytostopthebehavior,theDistrictstronglyencouragesanyonewhofeelsharassedtofilesuchcomplaintswithin30daysoftheallegedincident.Whileallcomplaintsaretakenseriouslyandwillbeinvestigatedpromptly,delayinfilingimpedestheDistrict’sabilitytoinvestigateandremediate.Allsupervisorsandmanagershaveamandatorydutytoreportincidentsofharassmentordiscrimination,theexistenceofahostile,offensiveorintimidatingworkenvironment,andactsofretaliation.TheDistrictwill

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• submissionto,orrejectionof,theconductbytheindividualisusedasabasisofemploymentoracademicdecisionsaffectingtheindividual;• theconducthasthepurposeoreffectofhavinganegativeimpactupontheindividual’sworkoracademicperformance,orofcreatinganintimidating,hostileoroffensiveworkoreducationalenvironment;or• submissionto,orrejectionof,theconductbytheindividualisusedasthebasisforanydecisionaffectingtheindividualregardingemploymentbenefits,benefitsandservices,honors,programs,oractivitiesavailableatorthroughthecommunitycollege.

Thisdefinitionencompassestwokindsofsexualharassment:

“Quidproquo”sexualharassmentoccurswhenapersoninapositionofauthoritymakeseducationaloremploymentbenefitsconditionaluponanindividual’swillingnesstoengageinortolerateunwantedsexualconduct.

“Hostileenvironment”sexualharassmentoccurswhenunwelcomeconductbasedonaperson’sgenderissufficientlysevereorpervasivesoastoaltertheconditionsofanindividual’slearningorworkenvironment,unreasonablyinterferewithanindividual’sacademicor

workperformance,orcreateanintimidating,hostile,orabusivelearningorworkenvironment.Thevictimmustsubjectivelyperceivetheenvironmentashostile,andtheharassmentmustbesuchthatareasonablepersonofthesamegenderwouldperceivethe

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investigatecomplaintsinvolvingactsthatoccuroffcampusiftheyarerelatedtoanacademicorworkactivity.AcomplaintisrelatedtoanacademicorworkactivityifitinvolvesanyDistrictprogram,whetherthoseprogramstakeplaceintheDistrict’sfacilities,aDistrictvehicle,orataclassortrainingprogramsponsoredbytheDistrictatanotherlocation.

ImportanceofCommunicatingthattheConductIsUnwelcomeExceptincaseswheretherehasbeenanassault,theDistrictfurtherencouragesstudentsandstafftolettheoffendingpersonknowimmediatelyandfirmlythattheconductorbehaviorisunwelcome,offensive,inpoortasteand/orinappropriate.Sexuallyharassingconductcanoccurbetweenpeopleofthesameordifferentgenders.Thestandardfor

determiningwhetherconductconstitutessexualharassmentiswhetherareasonablepersonofthesamegenderasthevictimwouldperceivetheconductasharassmentbasedonsex.

OversightofComplaintProcedure“Designatedofficers”arechargedwithreceivingcomplaints,andcoordinatingtheirinvestigation.TheactualinvestigationsofcomplaintsmaybeassignedtootherstafforoutsidepersonsororganizationsundercontractwiththeDistrictwheneverthe“designatedofficer”isnamedinthecomplaintorimplicatedbytheallegationsinthecomplaint.Individualswhobelievetheyhavebeensubjectedto

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unlawfuldiscrimination,includingharassment,mayreportcomplaintsbycontactinganyofthefollowing“designatedofficers.”

VicePresidentofStudentServicesIrvineValleyCollege5500IrvineCenterDriveIrvine,CA92618(949)451-5624

VicePresidentofStudentServicesSaddlebackCollege28000MargueriteParkwayMissionViejo,CA92692(949)582-4566

ViceChancellor,HumanResourcesandEmployer/EmployeeRelationsSouthOrangeCountyCommunityCollegeDistrict28000MargueriteParkwayMissionViejo,CA92692(949)582-4850

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WHENTOFILEACOMPLAINT

Astudent,employeeorthirdpartywhobelievesheorshehasbeenharassedinviolationofthesepoliciesandproceduresshouldmakeacomplaintorallyorinwritingassoonaspossibleandwithinoneyearofthedateoftheallegedharassmentorthedateonwhichthecomplainantkneworshouldhaveknownofthefactsunderlyingthecomplaint.

AnyDistrictemployeewhoreceivesacomplaintconcerningemployment

harassmentordiscriminationshallnotifytheViceChancellor,HumanResourcesandEmployer/EmployeeRelationsimmediately.

IfacomplainantdecidestofileaformalwrittenunlawfuldiscriminationorharassmentcomplaintagainsttheDistrict,he/shemayfilethecomplaintonaformprescribedbytheCaliforniaCommunityCollegesChancellor’soffice.TheseapprovedformsareavailableontheCaliforniaCommunityCollegesChancellor’swebsite,ortheDistrictwebsite.

Thecompletedformmustbefiledwithanyofthefollowing:

•TheViceChancellor,HumanResources,ifthecomplainantisanemployee;•TheVicePresident,StudentServices,ifthecomplainantisastudent;•TheCaliforniaCommunityCollegesChancellor’sOffice

EmployeecomplainantsmayalsofileemploymentdiscriminationcomplaintswiththeU.S.EqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission(EEOC)ortheCaliforniaDepartmentofFairEmploymentandHousing(DFEH).

ComplaintsfiledwiththeEEOCand/ortheDFEHwillbeforwardedtotheCaliforniaCommunityCollegesChancellor’sOffice.

INITIALINFORMATIONANDCHOICESPROVIDEDTOTHECOMPLAINANT

Whenapersonbringschargesofharassmenttotheattentionofadesignatedofficer,thatofficerwill:

(1)Undertakeeffortstoinformallyresolvethecharges;

(2)Advisethecomplainantthatheorsheneednotparticipateininformalresolutionandthatheorshehastherighttoendtheinformalresolutionprocessatanytime;

(3)Notifythepersonbringingthechargesofhisorherrighttofileaformalcomplaintandexplaintheprocedurefordoingso;

(4)Informthecomplaintifheorshedoesnotdesiretoutilizetheinformalcomplaintresolutionprocessortheprocesshasnotbeensuccessful,thecomplainantmayfollowtheformalresolutionprocess;

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5)Advisethecomplainantthatheorshemayfileanon-employment-basedcomplaintwiththeOfficeforCivilRightsoftheU.S.DepartmentofEducation(OCR)wheresuchacomplaintiswithinthatagency’sjurisdiction;

(6)Ifthecomplaintisemployment-related,thecomplainantwillalsobeadvisedthatheorshemayfileacomplaintwiththeU.S.EqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission(EEOC)and/ortheCaliforniaDepartment

ofFairEmploymentandHousing(DFEH)wheresuchacomplaintiswithinthatagency’sjurisdiction.

(7)Ifthecomplaintincludesallegationsofsexualassault,

advisethecomplainantthathe/shehasarighttofileacomplaintwithlocallawenforcement.Thedistrictwillinvestigateevenifthecomplainantfilesacomplaintwithlocallawenforcement.

(8)Advisethecomplainantofavailableresources,dependingonthesituation,suchascounseling,health,andmentalhealthservices. (9)AdvisethecomplainantthattheDistrictwillalsonotifytheChancellorofCaliforniaCommunityCollegesofthecomplaint.

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Theinformalresolutionprocessisnotaprerequisitetotheformalcomplaintprocessandinvestigation.Ifthecomplainantproperlyfilesaformalcomplaint,theDistrictmustprocessthecomplaintandinvestigationwithinthetimerequiredunlessthecomplainantvoluntarilywithdrawsthecomplaintasaresultofasuccessfulinformalresolution.Similarly,effortsatinformalresolutionmaycontinueafterthefilingofaformalwrittencomplaint,butafteraformalcomplaintisfiledaninvestigationisrequiredtobeconductedpursuanttoTitle5,CaliforniaCodeofRegulations,section59334,andwillbecompletedunlessthematterisinformallyresolvedandthecomplainantdismissesthecomplaint.Effortstoinformallyresolveacomplaintafterthefilingofawrittencomplaintwillnotexceedthe90-dayperiodforrenderingtheadministrativedeterminationpursuanttoTitle5,section59336.

Inemployment-relatedcases,ifthecomplainantfilesachargewiththeDepartmentofFairEmploymentandHousing(DFEH),acopyofthatfilingwillbesenttotheStateChancellor’sOfficerequestingadeterminationofwhetherafurtherinvestigationunderTitle5isrequired.UnlesstheStateChancellor’sOfficedeterminesthataseparateinvestigationisrequired,theDistrictwilldiscontinueitsinvestigationunderTitle5andthematterwillberesolvedthroughtheDFEH.

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INFORMALRESOLUTIONOFHARASSMENTCOMPLAINTS

EffortsatinformalresolutionneednotincludeaninvestigationunlesstheresponsibleDistrictofficerdeterminesthataninvestigationiswarrantedbytheseriousnessofthecharges.Selectinganinformalresolutiondoes

notextendthetimelimitationsforfilingaformalcomplaint.Theinformalresolutionprocessisintendedtoallowanindividualwhobelievesheorshehasbeenharassedtoresolvetheissuethroughaninformalormediationprocessratherthantheformalcomplaintprocess.Acomplainantmaywishtoselecttheinformalprocesswhenthereisasimplemisunderstandingorthecomplainantdoesnotwishtofileaformalcomplaint.Examplesofinformalcomplaintresolutionsincludeclarification

ofamisunderstandingoranapologyfromtherespondentandhisorherassurancethatheorshewillceasetheoffendingbehavior.

Ifthecomplainantdeclareshisorherpreferencefortheinformalprocess,thedesignatedofficerwillpresentthecomplainantwithadocumentthatcontainsthebasicsofcomplainant’sallegationsofharassmentandwillincludeacopyofthispamphletdescribingtheformalandinformalcomplaintproceduresavailabletothecomplainant.Thecomplainantwilldateandsigntheinformalcomplaintdocumentwhichwillclearlyindicatethatthecomplainantoptedfortheinformalresolutionprocess.

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TheDistrictiscommittedtomaintainingasafeandharassmentfreeeducationalenvironmentandmaydeterminethatseriousallegationsmayneedtobeinvestigatedevenifthecomplainingpartyconsidersthematterresolved.TheDistrictmayalsodeterminethatthecomplaintwillnolongerbeheldinformally,andinsteadshouldproceedtotheformalcomplaintprocedure

stage.TheDistrictwillprovidethecomplainantwithwrittennoticeofthisdeterminationviaUnitedStatesmail.

DISTRICTFORMALCOMPLAINTPROCEDURES

ComplainantsmayfileformalwrittencomplaintsonaformprescribedbytheStateChancellor.Theseapprovedformsareavailableatanyofthefollowing:

VicePresidentofStudentServicesIrvineValleyCollege5500IrvineCenterDriveIrvine,CA92618•(949)451-5624

VicePresidentofStudentServicesSaddlebackCollege28000MargueriteParkwayMissionViejo,CA92692•(949)582-4566

ViceChancellor,HumanResourcesandEmployer/EmployeeRelationsSouthOrangeCountyCommunityCollegeDistrict(SOCCCD)28000MargueriteParkwayMissionViejo,CA92692(949)582-4850

SOCCCDwebsite:http://www.socccd.edu

SaddlebackCollegewebsite:http://www.saddleback.edu

IrvineValleyCollegewebsite: http://www.ivc.edu

AdvancedTechnology&EducationParkwebsite:http://www.atep.us

CaliforniaCommunityCollegesStateChancellor’sOfficewebsite: http://www.ccco.edu

ThecompletedformmustbefiledattheOfficeoftheVicePresidentofStudentServicesforstudentsorattheDistrict’sOfficeofHumanResourcesforemployeesandallotherindividualsormaileddirectlytotheStateChancellor’sOfficeoftheCaliforniaCommunityColleges.

Uponreceivingaformalwrittencomplaint,theDistrictwilldetermineifthecomplainthasmetthenecessaryrequirementslistedonthefollowingpage.

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•ThecomplaintshouldbefiledonaformprovidedbytheDistrictortheStateChancellor’sOffice.

•ThecomplaintmustallegeunlawfuldiscriminationprohibitedunderTitle5,section59300.

•Thecomplaintmustbefiledbyanindividualwhoallegesthatheorshehaspersonallysufferedunlawfuldiscriminationorbyanindividualwhohaslearnedofsuchunlawfuldiscriminationinhisorherofficialcapacityasafacultymemberoradministrator.

•Inanycomplaintnotinvolvingemployment,thecomplaintmustbefiledwithinoneyearofthedateoftheallegedunlawfuldiscriminationorwithinoneyearofthedateonwhichthecomplainantkneworshouldhaveknownofthefactsunderlyingthespecificincidentorincidentsofallegedunlawfuldiscrimination.

•Inanycomplaintallegingharassmentinemployment,thecomplaintshallbefiledwithin180daysofthedatetheallegedharassmentoccurred,exceptthatthisperiodwillbeextendedbynomorethan90daysfollowingtheexpirationofthat180daysifthecomplainantfirstobtainedknowledgeofthefactsoftheallegedviolationaftertheexpirationof180days.

TheDistrictwillreturnadefectivecomplainttothecomplainantimmediatelywithacompleteexplanationofwhyaninvestigationcouldnotbeinitiatedunderTitle5,section59300etseq.Uponreceivingaproperlyfiledcomplaint,theDistrictwilladvisetheindividual(s)accused

ofengaginginharassmentofthegeneralnatureofthecomplaint.TheDistrictwillalsoadvisetheaccusedthatithasnotmadeanassessmentoftheaccuracyoftheallegations,thatitwillinvestigatethecomplaint,andthatitwillprovidetheaccusedwithanopportunitytopresenthisorhersideofthematter.TheDistrictwillalsoadvisetheaccusedthatheorsheshouldavoidanyconductthatcouldbeviewedasretaliatoryagainstthecomplainantoranywitnesses.

TheDistrictwillconsiderifinterimprotectiveactionsareneededandappropriate,dependingonthecircumstances.Intakinginterimactions,theDistrictwillrespecttherightsoftheindividualsinvolved.TheDistrictreservestherighttoimplementanindividualizedresponsefortheaccusedorallegedharasser(studentoremployee)pursuanttoitspolicies,and,ifinitssolejudgment,itfindsinterimactionsarewarranted.TheDistrictwillconsiderfactorssuchastheseriousnessoftheallegedoffense,and/orthepotentialforseriousdisruptionordangertoothermembersofitscommunityindeterminingwhetherinterimactionisneeded.Interimactionmayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,separatingtheaccusedfromthecomplainant.TheDistrictwillprovideacopyofallcomplaintsfiledinaccordancewiththeTitle5regulationstotheStateChancellor’sOfficeimmediatelyuponreceipt.

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INVESTIGATIONOFTHECOMPLAINT

InvestigationStepsTheDistrictwillfairlyandobjectivelyinvestigateharassmentcomplaintsutilizingthefollowingsteps:interviewingthecomplainant(s);interviewingtheallegedharasser(s);identifyingandinterviewingwitnesses;identifyingevidencebroughtforthbyeachparty;identifyingandinterviewinganyotherwitnesses,ifneeded;remindingallindividualsinterviewedoftheDistrict’snoretaliationpolicy;consideringwhetheranyinvolvedpersonshouldberemovedfromthecampuspendingcompletionoftheinvestigation;andreviewingwhereappropriate.TheDistrictwillreachawrittenconclusionastotheallegationsandanyappropriatedisciplinaryandremedialactionandseethatallrecommendedactioniscarriedoutinatimelyfashion.

CooperationEncouragedAllstudentsandemployeesareexpectedtocooperatewithaDistrictinvestigationintoallegationsofharassment.LackofcooperationimpedestheabilityoftheDistricttoinvestigatethoroughlyandrespondeffectively.However,lackofcooperationbyacomplainantorwitnessesdoesnotrelievetheDistrictofitsobligationtoinvestigate.TheDistrictwillconductaninvestigationifitdiscoversthatharassmentis,ormaybeoccurring,withorwithoutthecooperationoftheallegedvictim(s)andregardlessofwhetheracomplaintisfiled.

TimelineforCompletionofInvestigationReportTheDistrictwillundertakeitsinvestigationaspromptlyandswiftlyaspossible.TheDistrictshallcompletetheinvestigationandprepareawrittenreportwithin90daysofreceivingthecomplaint.

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ADMINISTRATIVEDETERMINATION

Within90daysofreceivingacomplaintfiledunderTitle5,sections59300etseq.,theresponsibleDistrictofficerwillcompletetheinvestigation.TheDistrictwillalso(1)forwardacopyoftheinvestigativereporttotheStateChancellorand(2)forwardacopyorsummaryofthereporttothecomplainant.TheDistrictmustalsoprovidewrittennoticetoboththecomplainantandtheStateChancellorofthefollowing:

(a)thedeterminationofthechiefexecutiveofficerorhisorherdesigneeastowhetherthereisprobablecausetosustainthechargesraisedinthecomplaint;

(b)descriptionofactionstaken,ifany,topreventsimilarproblemsfromoccurringinthefuture;

(c)theproposedresolutionofthecomplaint;and

(d)thecomplainant’srighttoappealtotheDistrictgoverningboardandtheStateChancellor.

DisciplineandCorrectiveActionTheDistrictprohibitsillegalharassmentincludingtheactsofstudents,employees,andnon-employees.Promptandequitableaction,includingappropriatedisciplinary

action,willbetakenagainstanystudent,employee(supervisoryorotherwise),oragentoftheDistrict,whoengagesinsuchconduct.Theactionwillbeprompt,effective,andcommensuratewiththeseverityoftheoffense.Ifdisciplineisimposed,thenatureofthedisciplinewillnotbecommunicatedtothecomplainant.However,theDistrictmaydiscloseinformationaboutthesanctionimposedonanindividualwhowasfoundtohaveengagedinharassmentwhenthesanctiondirectlyrelatestothecomplainant;forexample,theDistrictmayinformthecomplainantthattheharassermuststayawayfromthecomplainant.

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Disciplinaryactionsagainstfaculty,staffandstudentswillconformtoallrelevantstatutes,regulations,personnelpoliciesandprocedures,includingtheprovisionsofanyapplicablecollectivebargainingagreement.TheDistrictshallalsotakereasonablestepstoprotectthecomplainantfromfurtherharassmentandtoprotectthecomplainantandwitnessesfromretaliationasaresultofcommunicatingthecomplaintand/orassistingintheinvestigation.TheDistrictwillensurethatcomplainantsandwitnessesknowhowtoreportanysubsequentproblems,andwillfurtherinvestigateanynewcomplaintsofretaliationor

harassment.TheDistrictshalltakereasonablestepstoensuretheconfidentialityoftheinvestigationandtoprotecttheprivacyofallpartiestotheextentpossiblewithoutimpedingtheDistrict’sabilitytoinvestigateandrespondeffectivelytothecomplaint.IftheDistrictcannottakedisciplinaryactionagainsttheaccusedindividualbecausethecomplainantrefusestoparticipateintheinvestigation,itwilluseitsdiscretiontopursueothersteps,ifanyareavailableorappropriate,tolimittheeffectsoftheharassmentandtopreventrecurrence.

ComplainantshaveappealrightsthattheymayexerciseiftheyarenotsatisfiedwiththeresultsoftheDistrict’sadministrativedetermination.Atthetimetheadministrativedeterminationandsummaryismailedtothecomplainant,theresponsibleDistrictofficerorhisorherdesigneeshallnotifythecomplainantofhisorherappealrightsasfollows:

Firstlevelofappeal:ThecomplainanthastherighttofileanappealtotheDistrict’sBoardofTrusteeswithin15daysfromthedateoftheadministrativedetermination.TheBoardofTrusteeswillreviewtheoriginalcomplaint,theinvestigativereport,theadministrativedetermination,andtheappeal.

TheBoardofTrusteeswillissueafinalDistrictdecisioninthematterwithin45daysafterreceivingtheappeal.Alternatively,theBoardofTrusteesmayelecttotakenoactionwithin45days,inwhichcasetheoriginaldecisionintheadministrativedeterminationwillbedeemedtobeaffirmedandshallbecometheDistrict’sfinaldecisioninthematter.TheDistrictwillforwardtothecomplainantandtheStateChancellor’sOfficeacopyofthefinaldecisionrenderedbytheBoardofTrustees.

Secondlevelofappeal:ThecomplainanthastherighttofileanappealwiththeCaliforniaCommunityCollegeChancellor’sOfficeinanycasenotinvolvingemployment-relatedharassmentwithin30daysfromthedatethattheBoardofTrusteesdecisionbecomesfinal.TheappealmustbeaccompaniedbyacopyoftheBoardofTrustee’sdecisionorevidenceshowingthedateonwhichthecomplainantfiledanappealwiththegoverningboard,andastatementunderpenaltyofperjurythatnoresponsewasreceivedfromthegoverningboardwithin45daysfromthatdate.

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Complainantsmustsubmitallappealsinwriting.Within150daysofreceivingacomplaint,theDistrictwillforwardthefollowingtotheStateChancellor:

•AcopyofthefinalDistrictdecisionrenderedbythegoverningboardorastatementindicatingthedateonwhichtheadministrativedeterminationbecamefinalasaresultoftakingnoactionontheappealwithin45days.

•AcopyofthenoticeofappealrightstheDistrictsentthecomplainant.

•AnyotherinformationtheStateChancellormayrequire.

EXTENSIONS

Ifforreasonsbeyonditscontrol,theDistrictisunabletocomplywiththe90-dayor150-daydeadlinesspecifiedaboveforsubmissionofmaterialstothecomplainantandtheStateChancellor’sOffice,theDistrictwillfileawrittenrequestthattheStateChancellorgrantanextensionofthedeadline.Therequestwillbesubmittednolaterthan10dayspriortotheexpirationofthedeadlinesestablishedbyTitle5insections59336and/or59340andwillsetforththereasonsfortherequestandthedatebywhichtheDistrictexpectstobeabletosubmittherequiredmaterials.TheDistrictwillforwardacopyoftherequestforanextensiontothe

complainant,whomayfilewrittenobjectionswiththeStateChancellorwithin5daysofreceipt.TheStateChancellormaygranttherequestunlessdelaywouldbeprejudicialtothecomplainant.Ifanextensionofthe90-daydeadlineisgrantedbytheStateChancellorthe150-daydeadlineisautomaticallyextendedbyanequalamount.

EXTERNALFORMALPROCEDURE

ThecomplainanthastherighttofileacomplaintwithanyoftheexternalagenciesthathavethejurisdictionofenforcementoftheapplicablestatutesatanytimeduringtheDistrictprocess.Alistofexternalagenciesisprovidedinthe“WhatHelpisAvailable”sectionofthisdocument.

WHATARETHEREMEDIES?

Avictimofharassmentmaybeentitledtoremediesordamagesasaresolutiontotheircomplaint.Remediesforlossesincurredbythevictimmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,stoppingtheunlawfulconduct,disciplinaryaction,administrativerelief,andmonetarydamages.TheDistrict,asanorganization,maybeheldliableforactsofsexualharassmentandtheindividual(s)whoengage(s)inthisformofunlawfulbehaviormaybeheldpersonallyliableformonetarydamagesforengaginginsuchbehavior.

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STUDENTS

IrvineValleyCollege:VicePresidentofStudentServices5500IrvineCenterDriveIrvine,CA92618(949)451-5624http://www.ivc.edu

SaddlebackCollege:VicePresidentofStudentServices28000MargueriteParkwayMissionViejo,CA92692(949)582-4566http://www.saddleback.edu

DistrictOffices:ViceChancellor,HumanResourcesandEmployer/EmployeeRelationsSouthOrangeCountyCommunityCollegeDistrict28000MargueriteParkwayMissionViejo,CA92692(949)582-4850http://www.socccd.edu

U.S.DepartmentofEducationOfficeforCivilRights•Region9OldFederalBuilding50UnitedNationsPlaza,#239SanFrancisco,CA94102(415)437-7700•TDD:(415)437-7786http://www.ed.gov

EMPLOYEES

SouthOrangeCountyCommunityCollegeDistrict28000MargueriteParkwayMissionViejo,CA92692(949)582-4850http://www.socccd.edu

CaliforniaDepartmentofFairEmploymentandHousing(DFEH)28CivicCenterPlazaSantaAna,CA92701(714)558-4159•TTY:(213)897-2840or(800)884-1684http://www.dfeh.ca.gov

EqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission(EEOC)LosAngelesDistrictOffice255EastTempleStreet,FourthFloorLosAngeles,CA90012(213)894-1000or(800)669-4000TTY:(213)894-1121or(800)669-6820http://www.eeoc.gov

EqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission(EEOC)SanDiegoDistrictOffice401“B”Street,Suite510SanDiego,CA92101(619)557-7235or(800)669-4000TTY:(619)557-4548or(800)669-6820http://www.eeoc.gov

EqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission(EEOC)NationalHeadquarters1801“L”Street,N.W.Washington,D.C.20507(202)663-4264•TTY:(202)663-4494http://www.eeoc.gov

WHATHELPISAVAILABLE?

Toobtainadditionalinformationortofileaformalcomplaint,contact:

The deadline to file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) is 365 days, the deadline for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) is 300 days, and the deadline for the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) is 180 days after the occurrence of the alleged sexual harassment, or within 60 days of receipt of a final determination by the District.

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SOUTHORANGECOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGEDISTRICTBOARDOFTRUSTEES

BarbaraJ.Jay,TimothyJemal,DavidB.Lang,MarciaMilchiker,TerriWhitt,T.J.PrendergastIII,JamesR.Wright

GaryL.Poertner,Chancellor

AnEqualOpportunityEmployer

OfficeofHumanResources

(949)582-4850

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2015HarassmentPolicy&ComplaintProcedure