| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 34.83 |
| Liaison | Katie Wall |
| Submission Date | March 24, 2022 |
Lees-McRae College
PA-7: Support for Underrepresented Groups
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 3.00 |
Charles
Gibson Chief Diversity Officer Office of the President |
Does the institution have a publicly posted non-discrimination statement? :
The non-discrimination statement, including the website URL where the policy is publicly accessible:
Policy of Non-Discrimination
Lees-McRae College prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, age, religion, national and ethnic origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status or other individual distinctions in its programs and activities (collectively, “protected status”). This prohibition includes discrimination or harassment based upon the perception of an individual’s protected status, even if the perception is mistaken. Relatedly, this Policy prohibits related misconduct, such as sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking. The College will take affirmative action to ensure this Policy is enforced. This Policy should be read consistently with all applicable federal and state laws addressing discrimination, harassment, and related misconduct. This Policy also prohibits retaliation against any individual: who complains of or reports discrimination, harassment, or related misconduct; against whom a complaint is filed; who participates in reporting, investigation, or adjudication of possible violations of this Policy or exercises any right provided under this Policy; or engages in good-faith opposition to what the individual reasonably believes to be discrimination under this Policy.
The College’s Title IX Coordinator is:
Tim Koch, PhD
Executive Director of Compliance
Chaffee Center, Ste. 123
P.O. Box 128
191 Main Street West
Banner Elk, NC 28604
kocht@lmc.edu
828.898.8703
The College’s Title IX Coordinator is responsible for administering the College’s Title IX Policies and Procedures and is designated as the Coordinator for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Inquiries regarding Lees-McRae College’s Title IX Policies and Procedures or the application of Title IX and other laws, regulations and policies prohibiting discrimination may be directed to the College’s Title IX Coordinator.
Lees-McRae College is committed to providing a safe and discrimination-free learning, living and working environment for all members of the College community. Students, staff, faculty, and third parties who believe they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment in violation of this Policy should follow the procedures outlined in this Policy to report these concerns immediately to the Title IX Coordinator.
Inquiries regarding the College’s application of this Policy may also be directed to:
United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education, District of Columbia Office
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
ocr@ed.gov
Telephone: 202.453.6020
Toll-Free: 800.421.3481
Scope of the College's Title IX Policy and Procedures
This Title IX policy governs the conduct of Lees-McRae College students; faculty; staff; and third parties (non-members of the College community, such as vendors, alumni, visitors, or local residents) who come on campus and/or participate in the College’s programs and activities (collectively, the “campus community”). For the purposes of this Policy, status as a “student” begins with initial application to a College program and does not conclude until a degree is awarded or the student permanently withdraws or is dismissed.
This Title IX Policy applies to all College programs and activities. All campus community members are responsible for their actions and behavior, whether the conduct in question occurs on campus or in another location if it involves a program or activity of the College. This Policy applies to conduct that occurs on College property, and in certain circumstances, off college property or off campus, especially if the conduct involves another member of the campus community. This Policy applies to conduct when the conduct is associated with a College-sponsored program or activity, such as travel, distance learning, research, or internship programs. Judgments about these matters will depend upon the facts of an individual case. In particular, off-campus behaviors that have an actual or potential adverse impact on any member of the campus community or College fall under this Policy. The College retains the discretion to determine whether conduct that occurs off-campus or that is allegedly not within a College program or activity, such as online conduct, falls under this Policy. At all times, members of the campus community have a responsibility to adhere to College policies and local, state and federal law.
Third parties are both protected by and subject to this Policy. A third party may report or file a complaint concerning a violation of this policy committed by a member of the College community. A third party may also be permanently barred from the College or subject to other restrictions for failing to comply with this Policy.
Anyone can consult directly with the Title IX Coordinator for guidance by calling 828.898.8743.
Does the institution have a discrimination response protocol or committee (sometimes called a bias response team)?:
A brief description of the institution’s discrimination response protocol or team:
No, but CDO is working with the Executive Director for Compliance and Title IX to determine how best to structure this. There is a behavior management team, but not a bias response team.
Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit students from underrepresented groups?:
Does the institution have programs specifically designed to recruit academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
Does the institution have programs designed specifically to recruit non-academic staff from underrepresented groups?:
A brief description of the institution’s programs to recruit students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
Programs are being developed by the newly created DEI office.
All our recruitment advertisements identify us as EEO employer that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support, academic support, or other programs designed specifically to support students from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs designed specifically to support academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
Does the institution have mentoring, counseling, peer support or other programs to support non-academic staff from underrepresented groups on campus?:
A brief description of the institution’s programs designed specifically to support students, academic staff, and/or non-academic staff from underrepresented groups:
Aside from some efforts in admissions, there are no formal programs. There will be some in the future. They will be administered through the college DEI office.
The institution offers a support group for students of color facilitated by a graduate student who is presently in a Counseling Program. The facilitator is a person of color. There is also a club called WOKE which exists to present programs regarding diversity and inclusion.
There are no programs to support staff from underrepresented groups. However, there are educational programs to provide information to staff regarding diversity and inclusion.
There is a support group for students of color facilitated by a graduate student who is presently in a Counseling Program. There is a club on campus called Woke which supports students of color and presents programs regarding diversity and inclusion. Several programs are held regarding topics of diversity and inclusion. These programs are presented by the Counseling Center and Student Affairs.
Chief Diversity Officer and Executive Director for Compliance and Title IX, in consultation with residence life staff, developed new policy for transgender students in residence halls. It will be adopted pending approval by the College Cabinet.
Does the institution have training and development programs, teaching fellowships and/or other programs that specifically aim to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members?:
A brief description of the institution’s programs to support and prepare students from underrepresented groups for careers as faculty members:
Does the institution produce a publicly accessible inventory of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus?:
Does the institution offer housing options to accommodate the special needs of transgender and transitioning students?:
Website URL where information about the institution’s support for underrepresented groups is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The DEI Director has proposed a a plan for transgender residence halls.
It is pending review from legal consult, it will be single rooms with full baths.
The DEI Director has proposed a a plan for transgender residence halls.
It is pending review from legal consult, it will be single rooms with full baths.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.