Procedure
- Administration and Implementation
At Athens Technical College, the individual designated as the coordinator for Title VI (non-discrimination based on based on race, color or national origin) and Title IX (non-discrimination based on sex) is:
Mr. Lenzy Reid, Vice President of Student Affairs.
Office H-774
Phone (706) 355- 5029
Email lreid@athenstech.edu
Address 800 U.S. Highway 29 North
Athens, GA 30601
The individual designated as the Coordinator for Section 504 (Americans with Disability Act) is:
Director of Student Support Services
Office K-614A,
Phone (706) 583- 2893
Email supportservices@athenstech.edu
Address 800 U.S. Highway 29 North
Athens, GA 30601
- Reporting and Management Action
- All students are encouraged to report events of unlawful harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation (“prohibited conduct”) against themselves or others.
- If a student filing a complaint requests anonymity or asks that the complaint not be pursued, the student should be aware that the college’s ability to respond may be limited, that retaliation for filing a complaint is prohibited, and that steps to prevent harassment and retaliation will be taken. Athens Technical College will take all reasonable steps to investigate and respond to the complaint consistent with the request and pursue other steps to limit the effects of the alleged harassment and prevent a recurrence.
- Athens Technical College may weigh a request for anonymity or a request it not pursue a complaint considering the following factors: the seriousness of the alleged conduct, the complainant’s age, whether there have been other harassment complaints about the same individual, and the alleged harasser’s rights to receive information about the allegations if the information is maintained as an “education record” under FERPA. The college will inform the student if the request cannot be granted.
- Reports concerning all prohibited conduct referenced in this procedure will be processed confidentially to the extent permitted by law; communications regarding complaints will be disseminated to others on a need-to-know basis to ensure that necessary steps are taken to protect the community as a whole, and that appropriate disciplinary measures or corrective actions are considered and taken.
- Allegations or suspicions of unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation may be reported to the Vice President for Student Affairs (Coordinator for Title VI and Title IX), Director of Student Support Services (Section 504 Coordinator), or the President. Complaints may also be emailed to the Technical College System of Georgia at unlawfulharassment@tcsg.edu.
- Complaints under this procedure can be expressed in writing, by telephone, or in person; individuals are, however, encouraged to express complaints in writing to ensure all concerns are addressed.
- In the case that an allegation of unlawful harassment, discrimination, or retaliation is made to an employee not designated to receive such reports, the employee receiving the complaint must report the allegation as provided in section 6 above.
- Students or employees may be suspended, transferred, or reassigned employees or students in order to prevent possible further harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, to facilitate the investigation, or to implement preventive or corrective actions under this procedure.
- Investigation
- Local investigators shall investigate all prohibited conduct complaints under these procedures thoroughly and promptly.
- A complaining party will be notified if the complaint does not specify facts sufficient to allege unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. A formal investigation will not be conducted under this procedure.
- In writing, the complaining party may appeal the decision to the President within five business days of receiving the notice. After that, the President's decision will be final.
- Individuals designated to investigate or recommend corrective actions in response to allegations will be trained to conduct an investigation that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability. Individuals assigned as the investigator for a particular incident shall disclose to the President any relationship with the parties that could call into question their ability to be objective prior to taking any action concerning the investigation. The President will reassign alternate individuals if necessary.
- Investigations will be conducted by gathering relevant information and interviewing appropriate witnesses. Both the complaining party and the respondent (the parties) will be given equal opportunity to identify witnesses and offer evidence in person or writing. Best efforts will be made to interview all witnesses identified by the parties. Both the complaining party and the respondent may be accompanied by an advisor of his or her choice. However, the advisor may not speak on behalf of the party.
- The college will evaluate the information collected during the investigation and determine whether a preponderance of the evidence supports the claim of unlawful discrimination, unlawful harassment, and/or unlawful retaliation.
- Investigations and summary findings will be documented appropriately.
- Corrective Actions
- Athens Technical College will take all reasonable steps to prevent unlawful retaliation against those making a complaint and other individuals participating in investigations under this procedure.
- If prohibited conduct is determined to have occurred following the investigation, the college, through the appropriate officials, shall implement steps to prevent a recurrence and to correct the discriminatory effects on the complaining party and others as appropriate. Steps may include but are not limited to mandating training or evaluation, disciplinary sanctions, policy implementation, or reassignment of students or employees.
- If recommended disciplinary sanctions involve academic suspension or expulsion, the matter must be referred to the Vice President for Student Affairs, as provided by the college’s Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedure.
- Individuals responsible for conducting investigations or proposing sanctions under this procedure should not also serve as reviewing officials or hearing officers in the appeal of sanctions arising from an investigation.
- Even in the absence of sufficient evidence to support a finding that unlawful discrimination, unlawful harassment, or retaliation has occurred, Athens Technical College will address inappropriate conduct and take all reasonable steps to prevent future unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
- Reviews and Dispositions