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Title IX Office

Title IX – Discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX"), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. All public and private elementary and secondary schools, school districts, colleges, and universities receiving any Federal funds must comply with Title IX. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking.

Western Carolina University is committed to providing a higher education environment that is free from discrimination based on sex. WCU Policies 10 and 53 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in WCU’s education programs and activities, while WCU Policy 129 specifically addresses Title IX Sexual Harassment.

If you believe that you or someone else who is part of the Western Carolina University community has been discriminated against based on sex or if you have questions about Title IX, please contact the Western Carolina University Title IX Coordinator at 520 HF Robinson, 828.227.7116.  

Every school must designate at least one employee who is responsible for coordinating the school's compliance with Title IX. The coordinator's responsibilities include overseeing all complaints of sex discrimination and identifying and addressing any patterns or systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints.

WCU’s Title IX Coordinator is located at H.F.R. Suite 520 and can be reached at 828.227.7116.

Title IX defines Sexual Harassment as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

  1. Quid pro quo- an employee of the respondent conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the respondent on an individual’s participation in sexual conduct;
  2. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity; or
  3. “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).

Any person (whether or not alleged to be the victim) may report gender discrimination or sexual harassment. 

Reports can be made to WCU’s Title IX Coordinator at 828.227.7116 or dshopkins@wcu.edu

Alternatively, if the conduct involves students, you may make a report by submitting this electronic form.

Upon receiving a report, the Title IX Coordinator will provide the victim with a written explanation of their rights and options, including available supportive measures and an explanation of the University’s complaint resolution procedures. 

University Policy 129 “Title IX Sexual Harassment” and accompanying procedures are designed to provide an independent policy and framework to protect employees, visitors, and students from sexual harassment within any educational program or activity.

In compliance with the 2020 Title IX regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education, all materials used to train the Title IX Coordinator, Campus Investigator, hearing and appellate officers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process will be available below. 

Access Title IX Training Materials


DISCLAIMER: These web pages were prepared as an informational service to the Western community. They are not intended to be a comprehensive statement of the law. North Carolina and Federal laws change frequently. Office staffing does not allow immediate updating of these web pages to reflect changes in the law. If you have specific questions with regard to any matter contained in these web pages, please contact University Legal Counsel.

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