Title IX

Our Commitment

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) is committed to providing an educational and employment environment that is free from discrimination based on protected characteristics, harassment, and retaliation for engaging in protected activity.

VGCC values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the Parties in the resolution process during what is often a difficult time for all involved.

To ensure compliance with federal, state, and local civil rights laws and regulations, and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the education program or activity, VGCC has developed policies and procedures that provide for prompt, fair, and impartial resolution of allegations of protected characteristic discrimination, harassment or allegations of retaliation.

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance[.]” All federal agencies that provide grants of financial assistance are required to enforce Title IX’s nondiscrimination mandate.

Examples of the types of discrimination that are covered under Title IX include sexual harassment; the failure to provide equal athletic opportunity; sex-based discrimination in a school’s science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses and programs; and discrimination based on pregnancy.

Sex Discrimination: Overview of the Law (ed.gov)

Notice of Nondiscrimination

VGCC seeks to comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances prohibiting discrimination in public post-secondary education institutions.

VGCC does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.

VGCC will promptly and effectively address any such discrimination of which it has Knowledge/Notice. See the “How to Report” section below.

Reporting Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment or Retaliation

Unlawful discriminatory behaviors under Title IX include, but are not limited to:

• Sexual Harassment (unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature);
• Sexual Misconduct (rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity);
• Stalking (repeatedly following, harassing, threatening, or intimidating including by telephone, email, electronic communication, or social media;)
• Dating Violence (including emotional, verbal, and economic abuse without the presence of physical abuse); and
• Retaliation (adverse employment, academic, or other actions against anyone reporting or participating in an investigation of Title IX allegations).

Both students and employees can report harassment, discrimination, and retaliation with the appropriate Title IX Coordinator* (listed under Important Title IX Documentation below). Vance-Granville Community College prohibits retaliation against individuals who make a report or who participate in investigations of unlawful discrimination or harassment. Any attempt to harass or intimidate individuals who participated in an investigation constitutes a violation of College policy and could result in disciplinary action.

Complaint Process:

Once your report has been submitted, the designated Title IX Coordinator will respond to your submission within five (5) days of receipt:

• Contact the Complainant, i.e., the alleged victim (if that person can be identified);
• Offer the Complainant support (counseling services, health check-up, etc)
• Explain the process of filing a formal complaint;
• Explain the entire Title IX process
• Explain that support services are available with or without a formal complaint;
• Contact the Respondent, who must also be offered support services
• Consider the Complainant’s and the Respondent’s wishes with regard to support services;
• If support services are refused by the Complainant or Respondent, the Title IX Coordinator must document why services were not provided.

Upon receipt of a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will, within fifteen (15) days of receipt:

• Send written notice to both parties (complainants and respondents) of the allegations;
• Assign an Investigator to investigate the allegations

The Title IX Coordinator may initiate the complaint process if s/he believes a non-deliberately indifferent response to the allegations requires an investigation. Note: If proceeding against the wishes of the complainant, the Title IX Coordinator should do so thoughtfully, not automatically, and written documentation of the decision to proceed or not to proceed should be generated and retained

How to Report

For employee discrimination and sex-based harassment allegations (Title VII, Title IX, and ADA):

Kevin Tompkins
Executive Director of Human Resources
Title IX Deputy Coordinator
VGCC Main Campus, Building 1, Henderson, NC
200 Community College Drive, Henderson, NC 27536
252-738-3440
[email protected]

For student discrimination and sex-based harassment allegations:

Administrator

Dr. Antonio Jordan
Dean of Students, Title IX Coordinator
Office of the Dean of Students
VGCC Main Campus, Building 8
200 Community College Drive, Henderson, NC 27536
252-738-3405
[email protected]

For disability-based allegations

Cathy Davis
Coordinator of Counseling, Accessibility and Support Services
G1108, South Campus
1547 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522
252-738-3350
[email protected]

Online Forms Option

• Sexual Misconduct Student Reporting Form (JotForm)
• Sexual Misconduct Employee Report Form (JotForm)

Concerns about the VGCC’s application of this Policy and compliance with certain federal civil rights laws may also be addressed to:

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline: (800) 421-3481
Facsimile: (202) 453-6012
TDD: (877) 521-2172

Important Title IX Documentation

• Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Under Title IX 
• Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy (Vacated by the U.S. District Court of Eastern Kentucky on January 9, 2025. This Policy is no longer in effect.)

Training and Resources

• Title IX (2020 Regulations) training materials provided by SUNY Student Conduct Institute.
• Title IX (2024 Regulations) training provided by SUNY Student Conduct Institute (Leadership & Staff – SUNY System) and Association of Title IX Administrators. Materials can be made available upon request.
• US Department of Education Title IX Website