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Title IX at Â鶹ÊÓƵ University

Â鶹ÊÓƵ University values the intrinsic worth of every individual, and we are committed to providing our faculty, staff, and students with a safe learning and working environment.

Biblical Impetus for adhering to Title IX

As Christians, we have a responsibility to care for the vulnerable and the hurting. We are called to seek justice and to love mercy (Micah 6:8). Therefore, we do not just implement and comply with national policies out of obligation; we strive to have a fair and thorough Title IX process to model God’s vision for living in Christian community. We acknowledge that every student, faculty, and staff member is an image-bearer when we identify wrongdoing, administer consequences, and attempt to restore right relationships, all the while promoting respectful, Christ-like relationships. We believe there is a biblical calling to condemn sinful behavior and promote Christian love.

  1. Genesis 1:27 (So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.)
  2. Luke 12:7 (Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.)
  3. Galatians 6:1-2 (Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.)
  4. Ephesians 4:2 (Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.)
  5. Romans 12:9 (Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.)

What is Title IX?

Â鶹ÊÓƵ University values the intrinsic worth of every individual, and we are committed to providing our faculty, staff, and students with a safe learning and working environment. Our respect for other individuals includes an appreciation of cultural backgrounds different from our own, an understanding of different attitudes and opinions, and an awareness of the consequences of our actions on the broader community. Because of our high value on the life and safety of each member of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ University community and in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), the Jeanne Clery Act (Clery Act), the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (SaVE Act), and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), Â鶹ÊÓƵ University has adopted policies and procedures to specifically prevent and respond to incidents of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. These guidelines apply to all members of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Community (students, faculty, and staff) as well as third party contractors and visitors. Â鶹ÊÓƵ University will not tolerate sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, as defined in the Title IX policy.

Federal Guidelines

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex against any person in education programs and activities receiving federal funding. Students have the right to pursue an education, including athletic programs, scholarships and other activities, free from sex discrimination, including sexual violence and harassment. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) requires schools that receive federal financial assistance to take necessary steps to prevent sexual assault on their campuses and to respond promptly and effectively when an assault is reported.

The Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f)), commonly referred to as the Clery Act, requires colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to report annual statistics on crime on or near their campuses — including sexual assault and rape and to develop and disseminate prevention policies.

VAWA

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) established federal legal definitions of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Campus SaVE

The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE) was enacted in March 2013 and amends the Jeanne Clery Act, creating additional protections for victims of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, as well as creating more prescriptive requirements for prevention and awareness programs related to these offenses.

The University’s Title IX Coordinator

The Title IX Coordinator coordinates the University’s compliance with Title IX and related provisions of the Clery Act (as amended by VAWA). The Title IX Coordinator oversees the University’s centralized response to all reports of prohibited conduct to assure consistent implementation of this policy and ensure compliance with federal and state law. The Title IX Coordinator and designated staff will, among other steps:

  • Communicate with all members of the University community regarding applicable law and policy and provide information about how individuals may access reporting and support options.
  • Review applicable University policies to ensure institutional compliance with applicable federal and state law.
  • Monitor the University’s administration of its own applicable policies, including record keeping, adherence to timeframes, and other procedural requirements.
  • Conduct training regarding Title IX, related provisions of the Clery Act (as amended by VAWA), and prohibited conduct defined in this policy.
  • Respond to any report regarding conduct that may violate this policy. In this capacity, the Title IX Coordinator shall oversee the investigation and resolution of such alleged misconduct, direct the provision of any remedial and protective measures, and monitor the administration of any request for review of the finding.

The Title IX Coordinator may delegate responsibilities under this policy to designated administrators or external professionals, who will have appropriate training and/or experience. When used in this policy, the term Title IX Coordinator may include a Deputy Title IX Coordinator or appropriate designee.

Title IX Trainings

Title IX Scenarios

– Mary met John at a campus party, and they began talking and flirting on Snapchat. After going on a date, John sent Mary a sexually explicit text. Although it made her uncomfortable, she decided to brush it off. However, his messages became more frequent and more graphic, and he eventually sent her nude photos. Mary asked John to stop contacting her, but he took screenshots of their messages and shared them with friends. He told his friends that she was just playing hard to get and continued to harass Mary.

– I never expected to come to Â鶹ÊÓƵ and have someone who worked here to treat me in a way that made me feel so vulnerable, objectified, and discriminated against. When I said something to my friends, several seemed to downplay it, but I still felt so uneasy. One person, though, suggested that what was happening to me might be Title IX related. I hardly knew what that was. How could someone’s words or behaviors be Title IX if I had not been physically harmed?

– John and Mary went to a party at a friend’s house. They didn’t realize there would be so much drinking going on but other good friends were there, so they stayed. They settled into the music and food and fun. As the night wore on, Ann, one of Mary’s girlfriends seemed to be really out of it. Her boyfriend, Bryan, was all over her. It seemed that he might be coercing her. John and Mary wondered if Ann really wanted that and if she was even aware of what was happening.

Title IX Investigators

Michele Atkins

Professor of Education; Associate Provost; and Title IX Coordinator

John Carbonell

Associate Vice President for Human Resources

Bryan L. Carrier

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Title IX Tools

University Emergencies

  • Life-Threatening Emergencies: call 911 and then contact Safety & Security to notify them of the emergency.
  • Non-Life-Threatening Emergencies: call Safety & Security to initiate the appropriate response for the situation.
  • Safety & Security 24-Hour Cell: 731.394.2922

University Resources

Web Resources

Jackson Resources

Memphis Resources

  • Memphis Police Department (901-545-2677)
  • Germantown Police Department (901-754-7222)
  • (901-249-7611)
  • (901-302-9575)

Hendersonville Resources

  • Hendersonville Police Department (615-451-3838)
  • (615-452-4315)
  • (615-824-3772)

Title IX FAQ