Frequently Asked Questions

Title IX is a federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives funding from the federal government.

Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking are all prohibited under Title IX.

As a general rule, an incident that occurs on campus or at an event associated with a class or extracurricular activity will be within MSJC’s jurisdiction under Title IX.

For conduct that occurs off campus, it must be at a location or event where the District has control over the individual engaging in the conduct and the context in which the conduct occurs. Title IX also applies when off-campus conduct occurs at a property owned or controlled by the District or an officially recognized student organization. 

Title IX only applies when the person experiencing the conduct is in the United States. 

For example, an incident that occurs between two students traveling together in another country as part of an MSJC program would not fall under Title IX. An incident that involves an MSJC student in another country using Canvas to harass a fellow student living in the United States would be within MSJC’s jurisdiction under Title IX.

Sex or gender-based misconduct that does not meet the definition or jurisdictional requirements of Title IX may still be addressed as a violation of California law or District policy.

For example, touching of intimate parts (sexual battery) and recording and distributing images (sexual exploitation) are prohibited under California SB 493 and may be addressed through the process outlined in AP 3410.

Submitting a report to the Title IX Office is easy when you use the Title IX Reporting Form on the Title IX web page.

Reports can also be made in person, by email, by phone, or by mail.

Once a report is submitted, the Title IX Coordinator reviews it to determine if what was reported falls under Title IX and will be addressed with the procedure outlined in AP 3434.

If what was reported does not fall under Title IX, it may be addressed through another process (outlined in AP 3410) as a violation of California law or District policy.

Title IX requires that information is shared on a “need-to-know” basis only, meaning that, as the reporter, you should not expect any updates throughout the process. 

You’ll receive an email response that confirms that your report was submitted, and the Title IX Coordinator can also confirm that your report was received. 

Most MSJC employees have a responsibility to report sexual harassment and other sex or gender-based misconduct according to District policy. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Any member of the Executive Cabinet deemed an "Official with Authority;”
• Any District employee who regularly interacts with students as part of their job duties
• Any District employee who is identified as a supervisor under California's Fair Employee and Housing Act (FEHA);
• Any District employee who holds any of the following positions, or substantially similar positions or job duties, regardless of the specific title (SB 493):
  • Student life directors, coordinators, deans;
  • Athletic directors, coordinators, deans;
  • Coaches of any student athletic or academic team or activities;
  • Faculty and associate faculty, teachers, instructors, lecturers.

See AP 3434 for a complete list of "Responsible Employees."

Yes. MSJC's Mental Health Counselors are confidential resources and are not required to share what you tell them with the Title IX Office. You can schedule in-person or telehealth counseling through the Student Health Center by emailing healthservices@msjc.edu or calling 951-465-8371.

A complete list of confidiential resources, including local agencies that offer specialized services for survivors and victims of crime, can be found here.