Office of Institutional Equity

Cuyahoga Community College is committed to providing a working and learning environment, benefits, programs and activities free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation based on an individual’s federally protected status as it relates to race, sex and/or gender. These commitments are moral imperatives consistent with an intellectual community that celebrates individual differences, diversity and meaningful individual freedom to pursue professional and educational goals.

About the Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) coordinates the College’s response to all complaints of harassment and/or discrimination based on a person’s actual or perceived membership in a protected class (i.e., race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic abuse, stalking), gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, veteran status or genetic information); participation in a protected activity (retaliation) and/or other statutes protected by state and federal law, including Title II, Title VI, Title VII and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The OIE oversees implementation of the College’s Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Retaliation and Title IX, which applies to all students, employees, visitors and other individuals participating in any College activity, educational opportunity, program or employment.

In addition, the OIE houses the College’s Title IX coordinator. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that protects people from discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment, in educational programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The OIE coordinates efforts related to the investigation, resolution and implementation of supportive measures/interim actions and monitoring to stop, prohibit, eliminate, remediate and prevent discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, retaliation and Title IX violations.

The Office of Institutional Equity reports to the Office of General Counsel.

Reporting to the College

The College strongly encourages individuals who have experienced or witnessed prohibited conduct to file a report with the director of Institutional Equity, who also serves as the College’s Title IX and 504 coordinator.

Reports may also be made to the College’s deputy OIE/Title IX coordinators.

You may report in person; by mail, telephone, or email; or online via the College’s report form.

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 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. You may also decline to notify authorities.