Title IX
Introduction to Title IX
State and Federal laws prohibit discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Schools have an obligation to protect students, teachers, staff and other people within the school community. Schools also have an obligation to ensure that programs and curriculum are free of bias and prejudice.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was the first comprehensive Federal law to prohibit sex discrimination against students and employees of educational institutions. It is one of several federal and state anti-discrimination laws that define and ensure equality in education. The regulations implementing Title IX, published in 1975, prohibit discrimination, exclusion, denial, limitation or separation based on gender.
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 an education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Title IX requests that each school district have at least one person designated as the Title IX Coordinator. This page provides resources to those seeking information or assistance for a complaint.
Under Oregon state law and Title IX, all of the following are prohibited:
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Sexual harassment
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Conditioning access to educational benefits on unwelcome sexual conduct;
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Unwelcome conduct that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to an education program or activity; or
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Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is physical, verbal, or nonverbal and that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment
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Sexual assault
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Unwelcome sexual conduct that occurs without consent or when under the influence of drugs/alcohol, while unconscious or elicited using physical force, coercion, or explicit or implied threats.
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Dating (or domestic) violence
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Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with another.
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Stalking
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The repeated and unwanted pursuit or harassment of another person, often characterized by intrusive behaviors such as following, monitoring, or contacting the individual without their consent, causing them emotional distress or fear.
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Cyberstalking
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The use of electronic communication or digital technology, such as social media, email, or messaging apps, to harass, intimidate, or stalk someone online. It involves persistent and unwelcome online behaviors, like sending threatening messages, spreading false information, or invading someone's digital privacy, causing emotional distress or fear.
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Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
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Under Oregon law, discrimination includes “any act that unreasonably differentiates treatment, intended or unintended, or any act that is fair in form but discriminatory in operation, either of which is based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age or disability.”
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Oregon law broadly defines, “sexual orientation” as an individual’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or gender identity, regardless of whether the individual’s gender identity, appearance, expression or behavior differs from that traditionally associated with the individual’s sex at birth.”
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Gender inequity in athletics or education programs
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Unequal access based on sex to athletics, co-curricular or educational programs; inequitable access to facilities, participation, scholarships or other educational benefits.
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Discrimination based on pregnancy or parenting status
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Discrimination or unequal access to educational programs or opportunities based on pregnancy or parenting status.
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Title IX Coordinator
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Melissa Ojeda-Hernandez
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2611 Pringle Rd SE, Salem, OR 97302
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503-385-4540
Title IX Team Members
- Coordinator: Melissa Ojeda-Hernandez
- Investigators: Kari Laizure, Colleen Henry, Jeff Easter, Holly Dalton
- Decision-Makers: Maria Chavez-Haroldson, Merced Flores, Denise Galindo, Tonya Coker
- Appeals Decision-Makers: Michael Beck, Margo Williams, Gretchen Brunner
Complaint & Investigation Process
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Title IX Complaint Form
Sexual Harassment Policies
Trainings:
- Title IX Compliance Certification - Certificate
- Title IX Coordinator Training - Certificate
- Title IX Decision Maker Training - Certificate
- Title IX Informal Resolution Training - Certificate
- Title IX Investigator Training - Certificate
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Oregon Department of Education IX 101: Intro to K-12 Title IX for Coordinators + Designated Personnel – October 2023