Title IX & Non-Discrimination Policy
“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.”
-Title IX Educational Amendments of 1972
Overview
Spring Hill College is committed to providing a living, learning, and working environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex in all forms. Sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are not consistent with the values of Spring Hill College. At Spring Hill College, we go beyond compliance with federal laws pertaining to sex-based violence, and we aspire to cultivate a community that is rooted in our Jesuit traditions of justice and respect for others. All members of the campus community should work to promote an environment that fosters respect, integrity, and a commitment to human dignity in an effort to strengthen our resolve against sex discrimination.
Title IX and Violence Against Women’s Act
Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) are federal laws that promote safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning and work environments on college campuses. Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and discrimination. Title IX prohibits sexual assault and sexual violence as forms of sexual or gender-based harassment. Colleges must also address sexual violence, interpersonal violence, and stalking in accordance with VAWA. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (“VAWA”), signed by President Obama on March 7, 2013, aims to improve the criminal justice response to violence against women. Colleges are now more accountable for educating students and preventing gender-based violence as a result of VAWA. Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus now have additional protections.
Committed to Safety
Spring Hill College is dedicated to fostering an environment where all members of our campus community are safe, secure, and free from any form of sexual misconduct, including but not limited to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. The College expects all interpersonal relationships and interactions to be based on mutual respect, clear consent, and open communication.
Education and Prevention
Spring Hill College offers primary prevention and awareness programs for students and employees in addition to ongoing awareness campaigns related to the prevention of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking for all students and employees. Primary prevention programs include training on dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assaults, and stalking that is provided to all students, faculty, and staff in accordance with the requirements of VAWA, Title IX, and the Clery Act. This instruction is made available to all students and employees. In addition, the College offers workshops and programs that educate students on proactive ways to assist others while ensuring their own safety and well-being.
Office of Violence Prevention
The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) leads efforts to educate and raise awareness about sexual assault, dating and domestic violence and stalking. They coordinate prevention programming, campus-wide initiatives, and response strategies to support a safer, more informed community.
Through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, OVP focuses on expanding prevention education, increasing access to support resources, and empowering students with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions. Our work centers on five core pillars: Support, Prevention, Education, Advocacy, and Knowing Your Rights.
Training and awareness programs include:
- Bystander Intervention
- Consent
- Dating Violence Escalation
- Trauma Informed Support
- Sexual Assault Awareness
Office of Violence Prevention can be found HERE
You’re Not Alone
If you have experienced sexual misconduct, you are not alone. Whether the misconduct happened on or off campus, you have options. You can choose what is best for you.
Your Options
You may report sexual misconduct to the College at any time, which allows the College to offer support and, if requested or required, take action. Reports can be made to the Title IX Coordinator, the Department of Public Safety, or faculty and staff who are mandated reporters. You may file a formal complaint with the SHC Title IX Office, which is a voluntary written request for the College to investigate the reported conduct through the Title IX grievance process, except when the College must act for safety reasons. When appropriate, the parties may instead choose an informal resolution process, which is voluntary and requires written agreement from both parties. You may also choose to report to local law enforcement; the College’s process is separate from the criminal justice process, and you may pursue one, both, or neither, with the Department of Public Safety available to assist with filing a police report. Speaking with confidential resources, such as Counseling and Wellness staff or clergy acting in their clerical role, does not trigger a Title IX report and allows you to explore options privately. Supportive measures from the College are available whether or not you choose to file a formal complaint.
Know Your Rights & Resources
Supportive Measures: You have the right to receive supportive measures from the College whether or not you choose to file a formal complaint. These non-disciplinary services are designed to restore or preserve your access to educational programs and activities and are provided at no cost. Supportive measures are tailored to your individual needs and may include academic accommodations, counseling and medical referrals, housing or class schedule modifications, and safety planning or no-contact orders.
Amnesty: The College encourages reporting and help-seeking and provides amnesty for individuals who report sexual misconduct or participate in a Title IX process. This means you will not be disciplined for minor policy violations, such as underage alcohol or drug use, that occurred in connection with the reported incident.
No Retaliation: Retaliation is strictly prohibited. The College will not tolerate intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against anyone who reports sexual misconduct, requests supportive measures, or participates in a Title IX process. Any concerns about retaliation should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator and will be addressed promptly.
Privacy: Information related to reports of sexual misconduct is shared only with individuals who have a legitimate need to know in order to provide support or respond appropriately.
Reporting & Resolution Process
How to report an incident. Individuals can make a
- report to the Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Vannee Cao-Nguyen, vcaonguyen@sch.edu or Titleix@shc.edu, 251-380-3026
- contact the Department of Public Safety. They are available 24/7 for immediate safety concerns and criminal reporting.
- report to faculty and staff who are mandated reporters.
- also submit reports online HERE by clicking on the “Alleged Misconduct Harassment Form” below.
- report in the HillSafe App
Resolution Options: The College offers both informal and formal resolution options. An Informal Resolution may be offered when appropriate and when both parties agree; it does not involve a formal investigation or hearing. A Formal Resolution (Formal Grievance Process) begins when a formal complaint is filed, triggering an investigation and grievance process. A formal complaint may be initiated by the Complainant or, in limited circumstances, by the Title IX Coordinator.
Investigation and Decision: Throughout the process, both parties are afforded important rights, including written notice of the allegations and relevant details, the opportunity to present witnesses and evidence, access to advisor support (which is often required during hearings), written notice of the outcome and rationale, and the right to appeal.
Notification of Outcome: Complainants of covered offenses such as sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking are entitled to written notification of disciplinary outcomes. These notifications include the Respondent’s name, findings, any sanctions imposed, and appeal rights and outcomes, and are provided to both the Complainant and Respondent simultaneously.
Rights and Options: Both parties have the right to have an advisor present, request accommodations, decline participation in a formal process, be protected from retaliation, and receive a fair and impartial investigation and adjudication.
Time Limits and Jurisdiction: There is no set deadline for reporting sexual misconduct; however, delays may affect the availability of evidence and response options. The College’s jurisdiction includes on-campus conduct, College programs and activities, and certain off-campus conduct that has an impact on the College’s programs or activities.
Prevention & Resources
Understanding consent is also central to prevention. Consent is a clear, knowing, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity and must be active and ongoing; silence, lack of resistance, or prior sexual activity does not constitute consent.
Sexual misconduct and prohibited conduct include sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and related behaviors.
Seeking medical attention is strongly encouraged as soon as possible following an incident. Medical professionals can collect evidence up to approximately 120 hours after an assault, and sometimes longer. If possible, avoid bathing or changing clothes, and bring any clothing worn during the incident in a clean paper bag. Receiving medical care does not require speaking with law enforcement.
The College supports prevention through bystander intervention programs that empower community members to act safely and proactively to prevent sexual violence and harassment. In addition, SHC’s Hill Speak program provides ongoing awareness and prevention campaigns throughout the year, including training on personal safety, sexual assault awareness, escalation, and stalking awareness.
Campus-wide prevention and advocacy efforts are led by the Office of Violence Prevention, which focuses on education, awareness, advocacy, and rights related to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalkin
Title IX Coordinator
Federal guidelines require that Spring Hill College designate a Title IX Coordinator to ensure compliance with Title IX regulations, serve as a campus resource on Title IX, and receive any sex-based discrimination and harassment complaints. Spring Hill College has designated the following staff person as the Title IX Coordinator:
Vannee Cao-Nguyen, EdD.
Vice President for Student Life and Campus Culture,
Title IX Coordinator
Spring Hill College
4000 Dauphin St.
Mobile, AL 36608
251-380-3026
vcaonguyen@shc.edu
Titleix@shc.edu
Report a Title IX Incident
Alleged Misconduct Harassment Form
Title IX Training
In compliance with 34 CFR §106.45(b)(10)(i)(D) issued by the U.S. Department of Education to amend the regulations implementing Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, Spring Hill College has made publicly available the minimum training materials used to train the university’s Title IX Coordinator, investigators, decision-makers and other personnel involved in the Title IX process.
The following minimum training certifications and the materials used to train, were obtained by the Title IX staff involved in the Title IX process:
- Title IX Training for Title IX Administrators 2023: https://system.suny.edu/sci/postedtraining/
SHC Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy
Spring Hill College has established comprehensive internal policies and procedures to ensure a prompt, fair, and impartial response to allegations of sexual harassment, misconduct, or retaliation. The College upholds the equal dignity of every member of its community and is committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment. Throughout the grievance process, Spring Hill College strives to balance the rights of all parties with compassion and integrity, recognizing the emotional and personal challenges that may arise during such difficult times.
Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy, click HERE
Pregnant and Parenting Resources
Spring Hill College is dedicated to fostering an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for pregnant and parenting students and employees. Title IX protects against discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes discrimination based on current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions.
Spring Hill College provides reasonable accommodations that do not fundamentally alter the program, course or service provided.
Pregnancy and parenting resources can be found HERE.
Other Resources
Contact any of the following for immediate assistance or questions about sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. If you have an immediate emergency, please call 9-1-1.
- Title IX Coordinator at 251-380-3026, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, M-F
- Spring Hill College Public Safety, at 251-380-4444, 24 hours/7 days a week
- Confidential Support: Counseling and Wellness Center, at 251-380-2271, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, M-F
- Residence Life and Community Standards, at 251-380-3028, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, M-F
- Mobile Rape Crisis Center, at 1-800-718-7273. 24 hours/7 days a week
- Penelope House Domestic Violence Shelter, at 251-342-8994. 24 hours/7 days a week
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
The Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination policy outlines the standards, reporting processes, and resolution procedures that guide our commitment to fairness and accountability. This policy exists to ensure that concerns are addressed promptly, equitably, and in accordance with federal and state law, while upholding our mission and values.
To review the full policy and detailed procedures, including information on how to report a concern, please click the policy link: HERE
Other related non-discrimination policy can be found HERE