Catawba College
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups

"Catawba College is committed to diversity and inclusion. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by College policies, this institution prohibits discrimination in its employment practices and its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status. Additionally, Catawba College promotes equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program."

https://catawba.edu/policies/non-discrimination-policy/

The Catawba College Title IX Office is responsible for responding to and coordinating investigations into reports of bias related to gender and sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and assault, across the institution.

When a report of bias is made, the Title IX Officer typically follows these steps:

Initial assessment: The Title IX Officer assesses the reported information to determine whether it falls under the jurisdiction of Title IX and if the alleged behavior is discriminatory.

Gathering information: The Title IX Officer (or an investigator appointed by the Title IX Officer) collects information from the person making the report, witnesses, and other relevant parties to determine the facts of the situation.

Determining next steps: Based on the information gathered, the Title IX Officer determines the appropriate next steps, which could include conducting a full investigation, providing interim measures, or referring the matter to another department or office for resolution.

Investigation: If an investigation is necessary, the Title IX Officer leads the investigation, gathers evidence, and interviews relevant parties to determine the facts and reach a conclusion.

Resolution: If the investigation finds that the reported behavior was discriminatory, the Title IX Officer takes appropriate steps to address the situation, which could include implementing corrective action, providing resources for the affected individuals, or taking disciplinary action against the responsible party.

Catawba College offers supportive measures to any complainant, respondent, or bystander to an incident of bias, discrimination, or any such incident that may be motivated by bias. The institution offers supportive measures to individuals regardless of whether a formal report is filed.

From the College's Policy on Discrimination:
“Supportive Measures” are non-disciplinary, non-punitive, individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to a Complainant and/or a Respondent before or after the filing of a Formal Complaint or where no Formal Complaint has been filed. Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to Catawba’s Education Program or Activity without unreasonably burdening the other party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or Catawba’s educational environment or deter Sexual Harassment.

Supportive Measures may include, but are not limited to, counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of work or class schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, changes in work or housing locations, leaves of absence, increased security, and monitoring of certain areas of the campus. Catawba will maintain as confidential any Supportive Measures provided to a Complainant or a Respondent, to the extent maintaining such confidentiality would not impair Catawba’s ability to provide the Supportive Measures. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of Supportive Measures.

The Catawba Promise Scholarship: Beginning in 2021, the College received a generous anonymous donation to support a need-based scholarship program for high-achieving, low-income background students and applicants. The scholarship is renewable for all four years of the undergraduate experience and is applied on top of any other financial aid package received by these students. The Catawba Promise Scholarship either fully or nearly eliminates any need for student out-of-pocket expenses for its selected recipients. More information can be found at: https://catawba.edu/news/all-news/2-million-gift-to-catawba-college-to-be-used-for-/

Catawba Nation Scholarship: The College maintains a partnership with the Catawba Nation, a Native American tribal association, and provides a full academic scholarship for applicants or students that are members of the Catawba Nation. The scholarship serves one student each year and persists throughout their time at the College.

Unanue Scholars Recruitment Program: The College also provides a recruitment and college preparatory program for non-male identifying Latinx high school juniors from public high schools in Rowan County, North Carolina. The Unanue Scholars Program provides a college mentor for scholars and the ability to participate in collegiate-level coursework. The College covers the full cost of fees and tuition for scholars to participate in coursework, which for the 2023 academic year is entitled "Latinx Leadership: Youth, Indigeneity and Sustainability". More information can be found at: https://catawba.edu/unanue/

Catawba College is proud to support the mentorship of Latinx, non-male-identifying students from Rowan County Public High Schools through the Unanue program. The Unanue program brings together Latinx Catawba Students with these students to develop mentorship support networks.

The College proudly features the Catawba Black Alumni Network and Equity, Diversity, Justice, and Inclusion Taskforce. Both of these groups work to support and provide opportunities for students from underrepresented groups at the College.

More information can be found at: https://catawba.edu/diversity/