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Title IX at Stark State College

Stark State College wants those who have experienced sexual misconduct or another type of discrimination or harassment based on a protected class, and those who have been accused of the same, to understand how the College addresses these issues. This webpage serves our college community as a comprehensive resource tool for guidance in reporting, policy, and on/off campus assistance.

If you are in immediate crisis, CALL CAMPUS SECURITY AT 330-704-2582 or 911.

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.  “Education programs and activities” include all of a school’s operations, including employment and school-sponsored activities (on or off campus).

Title IX protects all students, employees and visitors to campus from gender discrimination.

The Title IX regulation describes the conduct that violates Title IX. Examples of the types of discrimination that are covered under Title IX include sexual harassment, the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics, and discrimination based on pregnancy.

Title IX protects students, employees and third parties with a relationship to the College, whether on or off campus. This includes:

  • Stark State students
  • Faculty, staff and interns
  • Applicants for employment or education
  • High school students participating in programs at Stark State
  • Campus visitors

What does Title IX prohibit?

Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions, programs and activities. Stark State College desires to establish and maintain a safe and secure environment for our employees and students. The college will not tolerate sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence or stalking. Violators are subject to both criminal prosecution and college disciplinary proceedings. Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, whether by a stranger or an acquaintance, whether against women or men, are violations of the law and the policy of the Stark State College.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Sexual assault
  • Domestic, intimate partner and dating violence
  • Gender-based stalking
  • Sexual harassment (quid pro quo and hostile environment)
  • Failing to provide appropriate accommodations for a pregnant or parenting student
  • Treating a person differently based on marital status

Nondiscrimination and anti-harassment at Stark State College

Stark State College is committed to maintaining a workplace and academic environment free of discrimination and harassment. The College shall not tolerate discriminatory or harassing behavior by or against employees, faculty members, vendors, customers, students or other persons participating in a College program or activity. Employees and students are expected to assist in the College’s efforts to prevent discrimination or harassment from occurring. Please see the Anti-Harassment Policy (3357:15-14-13)

While the College does not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment, the Non-Discrimination Policy is intended to cover discrimination and harassment based on a protected class. Protected classes for purposes of this policy are sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information (GINA), military status, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Please see the College’s nondiscrimination policy

What is sexual misconduct?

Sexual misconduct is behavior of a sexual nature that is committed without consent. It includes sexual harassment, acts – including attempted acts – of sexual violence and other inappropriate behavior that is of a sexual nature, or based on sex. Sexual misconduct can occur between persons of the same or different sex. Please see the Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures (3357:15-14-15).

Title IX Investigation Procedures

The Title IX Coordinator is the designated college official with primary responsibility for coordinating the college’s compliance with Title IX. This includes providing leadership for Title IX activities; providing consultation, education and training; and helping to ensure the college responds appropriately, effectively and equitably to Title IX issues. The Title IX Coordinator is the reporting contact for all matters related to student and employee sex-based offenses or Title IX concerns. Please also see Minors on Campus policy.

Title IX Coordinator Contact Information

TBA
Chief of Security
Stark State College
6200 Frank Avenue, North Canton, OH 44720
Student Center, room S104
330-494-6170 ext. 4512,

Complaints can be filed in person, by mail, by telephone or by electronic mail twenty-four hours a day to the Title IX Coordinator.

Student referral form

 

This form does not address general complaints related to conflicts in your academic or work environment that are not directly related to one of the protected classes (race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, military status, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, or sexual orientation) Complaints such as these should be addressed with your department chairperson or to your supervisor or the Human Resources Office.

Please Note: The Title IX coordinator is not a confidential source of reporting and support. While the Title IX coordinator will address your concerns with sensitivity and will keep your information as private as possible, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

Mental health counselors, pastoral counselors, social workers, psychologists or any person with a professional license requiring confidentiality will be able to maintain complete confidentiality. However, if a complainant discloses information about an incident to an instructor, who is also a counselor but acting in his/her role as an instructor at the time of the disclosure, the instructor would have a duty to report the incident as a responsible employee.

*Complaints also can be filed with the Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Title IX team structure

Title IX Coordinator
TBA

Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Kenneth Brown, kbrown@starkstate.edu

Investigators
Vicki Bittinger, vbittinger@starkstate.edu
Renatta Griffith-Hambrick, rhambrick@starkstate.edu
Dani McGuiness, dmcguiness@starkstate.edu
Cathy Torgler, ctorgler@starkstate.edu
Robert Williams, rwilliams@starkstate.edu

Informal Resolution Officer
Jackie Hostetler, jhostetler@starkstate.edu

Grievance Process Decision Maker (employees)
Melissa Glanz, mglanz@starkstate.edu

Grievance Process Decision Maker (students)
Pamela Arrington, parrington@starkstate.edu

Appeals Officer (students)
Dr. Lada Gibson-Shreve, lshreve@starkstate.edu

Appeals Officer (employees)
Pat Roberts, proberts@starkstate.edu

Advisors
Angie Smith Alder, asmithalder@starkstate.edu
Brad Palmer, bpalmer@starkstate.edu

Student Support Counselors – confidential reporters
Elizabeth Inkinen-Schehl, eschehl@starkstate.edu
Caryn Griffin, cgriffin@starkstate.edu
Susann Campbell, scampbell@starkstate.edu
Ryan Johanning, rjohanni@kent.edu

Title IX Team Members receive training on the following topics:

  • the definition of sexual harassment;
  • the scope of the College’s education programs and activities;
  • how to conduct an investigation and grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes, as applicable;
  • how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias;
  • on any technology to be used at a live hearing or in any other stage of the Resolution Processes;

The Title IX Team will maintain required training as well as attend additional  training throughout the academic year. Training materials will be posted below for review.

Annual Clery Training and Intro to Title IX Basics
Title IX Coordinator Training
Investigator Training
Resolution Officer Training
Decision Maker Training
Appeals Officer Training

On/off campus resources

National

Local

On-campus assistance

LOCATION EMERGENCY NON-EMERGENCY
Main campus (North Canton)
Security office, room S104

 330-704-2582 330-494-6170 ext. 4367
Stark State College Akron 330-312-2526 330-494-6170 ext. 5758
Downtown Canton Satellite Center 330-704-2522 330-494-6170 ext. 4976
  • Police Departments
    • Jackson Township Police 911 or 330-832-1553
    • Canton Police 911 or  330-489-3283
    • Akron Police 911 or 330-375-2552 or 330-375-2181
    • Sheriff’s Office 911 or 330-430-3800
  • Student Support Room B104 or 330-494-6170 ext. 4219
  • Campus Interfaith Ministry Room B230
  • Rape Crisis Center (24 hours) 330-452-1111
  • Victim Assistance Program 330-438-0887

Non-retaliation statement

Stark State College will not tolerate retaliation in any form against any protected party who files a complaint, serves as a witness, assists one who files a complaint, or participates in an investigation of discrimination or harassment. College policy and state and federal law prohibit retaliation against an individual for reporting discrimination or harassment, or for participating in an investigation. Retaliation is a serious violation that can subject the offender to sanctions independent of the merits of the allegation. Complaints of retaliation should be directed to the Title IX coordinator or the Human Resources Office.

Level 3 Title IX training

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