Office of Institutional Equity

Cuyahoga Community College (the “College”) is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, benefits, programs, and activities free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.

About the Office of Institutional Equity

The Office of Institutional Equity (“OIE) is responsible for enforcing and  implementing the College’s policy on discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, retaliation and Title IX, which applies to all students and employees at the College, including student-employees, administrators, faculty and staff (bargaining and non-bargaining), as well as visitors or guests on campus to the extent that there is an allegation of harassment or discrimination made by them against College students or employees.

OIE ensures compliance with all federal civil rights laws, including, but not limited to Title II, Title VI, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title I, Title II, and Title V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2009, as well as, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

The College does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other bases under the law, in its activities, academic programs, admission, and employment

Our charge is to promptly respond to all reports and formal complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation; and treat parties equitably at all times. This includes the investigation and resolution of complaints, implementation of supportive measures/interim actions, surveying and monitoring trends, and remediation of violations.

We provide training on prohibited conduct to the College community to educate, stop, eliminate, remediate and prevent discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation.

The Office of Institutional Equity reports to the Deputy General Counsel and Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Equity, which is part of the Office of General Counsel and Legal Services Department.

Reporting to the College

The College strongly encourages individuals who have experienced or witnessed prohibited conduct to file a report with the Director of Office of Institutional Equity, by mail, telephone or OIE’s website. Reports can also be made to the Colleges’ Deputy Title IX Coordinators found below. While anonymous reports are permitted, they may limit the College’s ability to respond. Employees who are mandatory reporters may not submit anonymous reports.

Reporting to Law Enforcement

If you have been subjected to violence or other criminal acts, we encourage you to seek assistance from medical providers and/or law enforcement immediately, whether or not you choose to pursue criminal charges. This can include filing an incident report with the College’s Department of Public Safety and/or filing a report with your local law enforcement.

This assists in the preservation of evidence and allows for a timely response. Preserving evidence may later assist in proving an alleged criminal offense occurred, or it may be helpful in obtaining a protection order if desired.

OIE can help you notify law enforcement, if you so choose.