College Policies and Procedures

Students have a right to use all resources and facilities of the college during normal operating hours with the proper authorization. Students may not utilize resources and facilities of the college after hours without prior official approval and without faculty supervision. The college police must be notified under these unusual circumstances.

All rules and regulations of Wake Technical Community College apply at off-campus instructional sites and distance education, in addition to any rules and regulations specified by those sites or modalities.

Wake Technical Community College ("Wake Tech" or "the College") strives to provide the most secure environment possible for its employees and students, while simultaneously allowing them adequate ability to perform their expected job(s) or academic studies. This policy is required by several federal and state laws and regulations that apply to educational institutions and institutions that process payment information, including Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Payment Card Industry (PCI) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

This policy applies to all users of information resources owned or managed by the College. Individuals covered by the policy include full-time employees, part-time employees, students, contractors, interns, partners and external individuals and organizations.

The computing, digital technology and digital information resources at Wake Tech are reserved for the educational, instructional, research and administrative computing needs of the faculty, students, staff and other individuals authorized by the College. Users of these information resources may have access to valuable information resources, to sensitive and critical data and to internal and external networks. Consequently, it is important for all users to understand their responsibilities and act in an ethical and legal manner.

When using Wake Tech's digital technology, information and computing resources, full-time employees, part-time employees, students, contractors, interns, partners, external individuals and organizations must observe acceptable use, behavior and training requirements described herein.

Definitions

It is not possible for the College to articulate all acceptable or unacceptable behaviors or uses of College information resources by its users. Each user is responsible for reading the list below, as well as other College policies, and ensuring their conduct is acceptable. To assist users, the following contains a non- exhaustive list of guidelines that users will need to follow to remain compliant with this policy:

• Users shall use only the information resources that they are authorized to access, including resources needed to perform your educational, research or instructional functions.
• Users shall adhere to the College's password policy and the applicable provisions in this policy to protect their accounts and to secure resources against unauthorized use or access.
• Users are individually responsible for appropriate use of all information resources assigned to them and to which they are given access.
• Users shall comply with the policies and guidelines for any specific set of information resources to which they have been granted access. When other applicable policies are more restrictive than this policy, the more restrictive policy takes precedence.
• With appropriate authorization, users may connect laptops and other non-College-owned devices to the open wireless network and smart classroom lecterns specifically designed for this purpose. Authorization can be given by the faculty or staff member present, ITS or other individuals in charge of the room.
• Users shall immediately report any actual, suspected or perceived weakness in any information resource to ITS. A weakness may include unexpected network behavior, ability to access sensitive information or PII or security threats.
• Users must report any suspected violation of this policy, including theft or unauthorized disclosure of information.
• All requests for information resource access, maintenance, relocation or provisioning/de-provisioning must be directed to ITS.
• All user accounts are required by ITS systems to be multi-factor authentication (MFA) enforced. Users are required to initially set up and continually ensure the validity of MFA methods.

Unacceptable use

• In accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-805 (b), the viewing of pornography (as defined by G.S. 14-190.13) is prohibited on any Wake Tech network or device. Student violations of this will result in disciplinary action through the standard student disciplinary process. Employee violations of this will result in disciplinary actions through Human Resources.
• Use of Wake Tech's computing services and facilities for political purposes, personal private gain or other activities in violation of the College's student or employee handbook is prohibited. However, personal private gain does not apply if the primary intention of the work being performed is related to the College or has an educational purpose.
• Use of the College's information resources to create, access or transmit inappropriate material, including material that is obscene, illegal, offensive, defamatory or harassing, as well as material that shows aversion, denigration or hostility toward any protected class, including race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political beliefs, veteran status or any other characteristic or classification protected by laws.
• Users shall not attempt to access or provide resources or assistance to others to access information resources, restricted portions of the network, an operating system, security software or other administrative applications without appropriate authorization by the system owner or administrator.
• Users shall not provide resources or other forms of assistance to others to allow any unauthorized person to access information resources. Sharing of account information, including passwords, is strictly prohibited. Additionally, students (excluding student employees) may not share or otherwise access employee workstations, as these may have access to secured networks or sensitive data.
• Users shall not engage in any activity that could degrade the performance of information resources, deprive an authorized user access to information resources, obtain extra resources beyond those allocated or circumvent College computer security measures.
• Users shall not utilize unauthorized file-sharing programs or services that incorporate file sharing, including Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Amazon S3 storage or other services, to store sensitive information or PII without approval by ITS. The College has no control over these services and cannot guarantee the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the data.
• Users shall not waste, monopolize, interfere with or misuse information resources by, for example, requesting an excessive number of copies from a printer, playing games or participating in chain letters or Ponzi schemes.
• Users shall not access or damage any portion of the College's information resources or other College property, such as College records, or use information resources for illegal activities.
• Users shall not connect personal or non-College-owned equipment to the secure password-protected campus network unless given specific authorization by the Chief Information Officer. Users also shall not connect personal removable media, including USB flash drives, SSDs, CDs or other portable storage devices, to any college-owned computer.

Privacy and personal rights
Users do not have an expectation of privacy regarding their use of the College's information resources, and by accessing and using these information resources, users expressly consent to the College's monitoring of, access to and use of information regarding their use of the College's information resources. All information transmitted on or from, received or accessed by or residing on the information resources is monitored by the College through ordinary course of business. Information contained on the information resources and in College accounts, including email, files and other documents, may be subject to inspection under the Public Records Law of the State of North Carolina.

The College monitors access to these information resources and reserves the right, without prior notice to users, to access the information resources and to use any and all information retrieved from the information resources.

Incidental use
Wake Tech acknowledges that there are a vast amount of resources available to employees, often outside the realm of being directly work-related. Therefore, Wake Tech allows employees and students the benefit of utilizing the College's infrastructure for incidental personal use, with the following constraints:

• Incidental use of electronic mail, internet access, fax machines, copiers and any other information technology resources is restricted to College-approved users and does not extend to family members. The practice of sharing credentials for access is strictly prohibited.
• Incidental use that would result in a direct cost to the College, create the potential for legal action against or liability to the College or cause embarrassment to the College is strictly prohibited.
• Incidental use that interferes with the satisfactory performance of an employee's work duties is strictly prohibited.
• Incidental use must not violate any other College policies or procedures or any applicable laws or regulations, must not violate any provision in this policy and must not be used with the intention of personal private gain.

Incidental use is considered a privilege and benefit of employees and students. If it is determined that it is being used to the detriment of the College or other individuals, incidental use privileges and access to the network and information resources may be revoked at any time in the College's sole discretion. Additionally, should College equipment be used to develop intellectual property, the College will retain rights and ownership of a portion of that intellectual property, consistent with the College's Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property policy, North Carolina Community College System regulations, state and federal law.

Legal and regulatory considerations
Users of Wake Tech's resources are expected to abide by all applicable laws, regulations, statutes and ordinances and shall:

• Abide by all applicable copyright laws and licensing requirements. The College may have entered into legal agreements, contracts or licensing terms with providers of software and network resources, which require individuals using them to comply with those agreements.
• Not use, copy or distribute copyrighted works, including webpage graphics, sound files, film clips, trademarks, software and logos, unless you have a legal right to use, copy, distribute or otherwise exploit the copyrighted work.

Compliance
Individuals found to be in violation of this policy or engaging in any conduct that violates applicable law shall be subject to disciplinary action, including restriction or possible loss of privileges, suspension, termination or referral to law enforcement.

Students violating this policy are subject to disciplinary actions as set forth in the Student Code of Conduct.

The Office of the CIO shall verify compliance with this policy through various methods, including business tool reports, internal and external audits and feedback to the policy owner. Additionally, this policy will be reviewed as a part of annual compliance submissions, as well as internal and external audits.

Any exception to this Policy must be approved by the Office of the CIO in advance.

All users have the responsibility to stay up to date on any changes to this policy, as well as other College policies.

Additional faculty and staff requirements

Non-completion of annual security awareness training
Security awareness training is conducted annually (typically between February and April) for all faculty and staff members. This training is essential to be in compliance with PCI, GBLA, FERPA and other regulations, in addition to being an important part of our overall cyber risk reduction program.
Users who fail to complete the annual security awareness within two weeks of the training campaign will have their account locked and will need to contact the Service Desk to have their account unlocked. The user will then have two weeks to complete the annual security awareness training, or their account will be locked again, and their supervisor will need to contact the Service Desk to have the account unlocked. The intent is to encourage all users to accomplish their training in a timely fashion and to reduce risk to the college.

Repeat phishing campaign failures
All faculty and staff members are subject to continuous simulated phishing campaigns. The purpose is to help users successfully identify attempts to gain access or gain account credentials through phishing emails. These campaigns consist of two levels: expert and beginner. All users start in the expert group and move to the beginner group only after failing a simulated phishing campaign. Failures consist of clicking a malicious link or opening an attachment in the phishing email.
Users in the beginner group receive more frequent tests, but the simulated phishing emails are designed to be easier to spot then the ones sent to the expert group. After a user successfully passes three consecutive beginner phishing emails, they will be returned to the expert group.
Users who continue to fail the phishing campaign simulations will undergo remedial training and will have disciplinary actions imposed on them. If a user has repeated failures within a one-year time period, the following actions will be initiated:

1. First failure: The user receives a pop-up message advising them that they clicked on a simulated phishing campaign and a brief message of items to look out for in the future.
2. Second failure: The user is required to complete a short remedial training campaign within two weeks, or their account will be locked.
3. Third failure: The user will meet with the ITS Security Team to review ways to spot and prevent falling for phishing emails. At this point, the user's supervisor, department HR representative and division vice president will be made aware of the action.
4. Fourth failure: The user will meet with an HR representative, IT Security Team and the user's supervisor for a verbal counseling on future phishing failures.
5. Fifth failure: In conjunction with the supervisor, HR representative and ITS Security Team, the user will be placed on an HR Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
6. Any future failure would be handled in accordance with the established PIP.

The intent of the escalating actions are to ensure all users are educated and aware of their responsibility to protect the College. Users who go three months without failing a phishing campaign any time after their first failure will reduce their total failure count by one. The same is true if a User successfully reports a phishing campaign email as suspicious through the Phish Alert button.

Related policies, procedures, references, forms or terms

Contact

Ryan Schwiebert, vice president of Information Technology Services: 828-508-4521 or [email protected]

Ref #E1002a / C1424

Students are not allowed in any campus facility without shoes and shirts. Students are expected to dress and groom themselves in an appropriate manner while on campus or participating in classes and activities sponsored by the college. Additionally, students must meet the specific dress requirements of their programs of study, including uniforms or personal protective equipment, such as goggles, shields, etc., required in laboratory and shop settings.

Display of personal undergarments, lingerie, provocative dress or clothing with profane language or subject matter is not appropriate attire for a college environment. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the college.

Pets, including dogs and cats, create several conditions the college is not equipped to handle. Pets may carry and spread parasites. Pets of any type may not be brought on campus. This policy is in no way intended to restrict access to the campus for animals specifically trained to aid individuals with disabilities.

The college provides common areas for the consumption of regular meals. Light food and drinks with a cover or lid are allowed in campus instructional areas at the discretion of the supervising faculty or staff member under the following conditions:

• The learning environment is not disrupted and classmates are not disturbed.
• Food and drink are kept at a safe distance from instructional materials and equipment.
• All drinks are non-alcoholic and covered with a lid.  
• Light food is pre-packaged or in a container with a lid.
• Noisy, messy and strong-smelling foods are prohibited.
• Nuts, which are known allergens, are prohibited.
• Individuals who have peanut allergies should notify their supervising faculty or staff member as soon as possible.
• No trace of food or drink consumption is left behind, and garbage is placed in appropriate receptacles or removed from the area.
• Hands are cleaned after eating and before handling college property.
• Food or drink spills are reported to the supervising faculty or staff member so that prompt action can be taken to minimize damage.

The college reserves the right to prohibit food and drink in any area (e.g., labs) for safety reasons and to ask anyone who disregards procedures to remove the food or drink from the area.

Contact information

Ref #C1433

Students, college employees, volunteers, visitors, contractors, vendors or any other persons on college property are permitted to smoke or use tobacco products only in designated areas. College property includes any building, facility or vehicle owned or leased by Wake Technical Community College and college grounds, including athletic fields and parking lots.

Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, "tobacco products" include cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, cigars, blunts, pipes, smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco and snuff and hookahs, as well as any items containing or intended to mimic tobacco or tobacco products. "Tobacco use" includes smoking, chewing, dipping, ingesting or any other use of tobacco products or the smoking of any other substance.

Exceptions
Tobacco products may be included in instructional or research activities in college buildings if the activity is conducted or supervised by the faculty member overseeing the instruction or research and if the activity does not include "tobacco use" as defined above.

Signage
Signs that indicate "Smoking/Tobacco Use in Designated Areas Only" will be posted in a manner and location to provide sufficient notification to students, employees and visitors.

Violations

• Students: Any student who violates the terms of this policy will receive a reprimand upon his or her first offense. If a second offense occurs, the student will be placed on general probation and required to meet with the Student Conduct Officer. A third offense by the student will incur suspension from the college for three calendar days (weekends and holidays excluded). The student will be suspended for a semester if he or she subsequently violates the terms of the policy.
   
• Employees: Any employee who violates the terms of this policy will receive a written warning upon his or her first offense. If a second offense occurs, the employee will be placed on probation. Any employee who subsequently violates the terms of the policy may be subject to additional disciplinary action.
   
• Visitors: Any visitor refusing to comply may be asked to leave campus.

Students may not engage in any activity that is disruptive to orderly classroom instruction, without limitations to the use of cellphone. Students are therefore required to disengage all such devices when in a classroom.

The college does not have housing facilities.

Wake Technical Community College is supported by public bus service at all campuses except for Western Wake Campus. All routes servicing Wake Tech campuses, including GoRaleigh's Route 40X, can be found in the Green Trek section of Wake Tech's website.

Wake Tech offers free regional GoPasses for students and employees. These bus passes are valid on any GoRaleigh, GoTriangle, GoDurham or GoCary bus route. To qualify for a GoPass, individuals must be actively enrolled or employed at Wake Tech.

Through Wake Tech's Green Trek program, the college encourages sustainable transportation and equitable access. To learn more about the alternative transportation options at Wake Tech, please visit the Green Trek section of the college website.

Skateboarding, rollerblading and the use of any type of scooter are not allowed on any Wake Technical Community College campus or site.

Publications are defined to include the following: newspapers, pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, fliers, books, posters or magazines. Publications may not be printed or distributed without official approval of the dean of Student Activities and Athletics. Approved campus organizations may post and distribute their publications if said publications have been approved by the president of the organization, the organization's advisor and the dean of Student Activities and Athletics.

All publications (print, electronic or other) containing URLs or references to the Wake Tech website must be sent to the Communications & Marketing Department ([email protected]) prior to finalization to ensure that URLs are listed correctly.

Publications containing profanity, language that is offensive with regard to race, sex or creed, grammatically incorrect statements and misspelled words will be subject to disapproval. All publications must represent the dignity, mission and standards of the college. Organizational publications must also be consistent with the philosophy and mission of the organization.

The college reserves the right to rescind approval for on-campus activity for any organization that violates this policy. Individuals found guilty of not conforming to this policy will face disciplinary action, including suspension from the college.

This policy does not apply to off-campus groups and individuals. Off-campus groups and individuals are allowed to distribute publications in the designated areas of Southern Wake Campus and Scott Northern Wake Campus in accordance with the college's Solicitation Policy.

Solicitations occur in numerous forms, formats and techniques. For the purposes of this policy, solicitations are deemed to include attempts to address all or portions of the college community to express social, political, religious or other views, disseminate written materials or to request, accept or collect donations or contributions.

Any individual, organization, agency or group that desires to solicit on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college is required to comply with the following procedures:

A. Expressive activities

1. On-campus groups and individuals
   On-campus groups and individuals may reserve designated outdoor space for use in support of their activities, if they wish to reserve space. Arrangements for the use of outdoor space shall comply with campus reservation procedures and Wake Tech protocols.

2. Off-campus groups and individuals
   a.  General provisions
   Speakers will be granted access to designated areas so long as notice has been provided consistent with this policy, granting access will not conflict with any previously scheduled events and the designated area is not temporarily inaccessible or unsafe due to construction, act of God or similar cause.
   
   Access will not be denied because of a speaker’s viewpoint or the content of his or her speech. 
   
   Access will be granted on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. 
   
   Gross, multiple or continued violation of this solicitation policy will result in the soliciting parties loss or suspension of future solicitation privileges on property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college.
   
   b. Notice requirement
   Speakers must provide written notice to the Office of the Executive Vice President of Operations through a Solicitation Request form three business days in advance of an intent to speak.
   Upon arriving on campus, speakers must check in with Wake Tech's College Police Security Services office.
   
   c. Information requirement
   Speakers must provide the names of the persons who intend to speak on campus, the anticipated size of the group that will visit campus with the speaker and the name, address and phone number of a responsible contact person who will be present on campus during the event.
   Disclosure of this information is required to permit proper planning and will not be grounds for denying or abridging the right to engage in expressive activities in the designated area.
   
   d. Designated areas
   The following areas are designated for expressive activities by off-campus groups and individuals:

   • Southern Wake Campus: the paved area directly outside of and adjacent to the north corner of Building B
   • Scott Northern Wake Campus: the paved area between buildings E and F

   e. Scheduling limitations
   At the beginning of the academic year, the president or designee shall establish a schedule of two days per week for expressive activities by off-campus groups and individuals. These areas will be made available to any off-campus group or individual for up to three hours per day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
   
   In order to promote opportunities for a diversity of speakers, a speaker may not reserve the forum more than two weeks in advance.

3. Noise restrictions
   No sound amplification is permitted. Also, noise levels that are reasonably likely to or do cause a material disruption to the learning environment or the normal administration or operation of the college are prohibited.

4. Grounds for denial of access or removal from Wake Tech property
   Speakers will be denied access or will be removed from Wake Tech property for the following:

   • Failing to comply with this policy
   • Communicating "fighting words" as defined in case law
   • Advocating illegal conduct that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action
   • Touching, striking or impeding the progress of pedestrians, except for incidental or accidental contact or contact initiated by a pedestrian
   • Photographing, audio recording or videotaping any faculty, staff or student without first obtaining written permission from the person to be photographed, recorded or videotaped, provided, however, that speakers are allowed to photograph, audio record and videotape themselves and others located within the designated area described in Section A.2.d of this policy and interacting with the speakers
   • Engaging in disruptive or disorderly conduct that is reasonably likely to cause a material disruption to the learning environment or the normal administration or operation of the college
   • Damaging, destroying or stealing college or private property on campus
   • Possessing or using firearms, explosives or dangerous weapons or substances
   • Obstructing the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic

   B.  Distribution of written materials
   Pamphlets, publications, advertisements and any other such materials may not be distributed through any form of the college‘s internal mail system. Such materials may, however, be distributed by hand at such time(s) and at such location(s) as may be designated in writing by the college president or designee, so long as the group or individual has complied with the requirements of Section A above. Distribution of written materials will not be denied based solely on the content or the viewpoints expressed in the materials.

   Any individual, organization, agency or group that distributes written materials on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college shall reimburse the college for any of the college‘s internal or external clean-up costs associated with the distribution of such materials.

   C.  Posting of messages or materials
   It is expressly prohibited for any individual, agency, organization or group not officially affiliated with the college to use any surface, such as walls, bulletin boards, trees or the like, on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college to display any written or otherwise visual materials.

   D.  Commercial use of bulletin boards
   The college provides some bulletin board space for its students and employees to advertise or request goods and services. Other than such limited use by the college‘s students and employees, bulletin boards located on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college may not be used for commercial purposes.

   E.  Donations and contributions
   On-campus individuals, organizations and groups may solicit, accept or collect donations or contributions on property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college for not-for-profit activities only. Prior to engaging in any such activities, individuals, organizations and groups desiring to solicit, accept or collect donations or contributions shall request permission in writing from the Office of the Executive Vice President of Operations.

   F.  Goods and services
   Students who desire to solicit on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college to provide goods or services must make their request in writing to the Dean of Student Life. The request must contain a full description of the activity as to time, benefit, etc., in order to be considered. The decision as to whether such request will be allowed or denied and any conditions attached thereto shall be within the Dean‘s discretion. The Dean shall respond to all such requests in writing within five working days from the date the request is received. All other individuals, organizations, agencies or causes are prohibited from canvassing, selling, offering for sale, soliciting or promoting the sale or advancement of any goods or services on any property owned, leased or operated under the jurisdiction of the college.

Contact information

As a public, tax-supported community college, Wake Technical Community College complies with public information law and works with news media to provide coverage of news about the college. Occasionally, media representatives may visit Wake Tech classrooms to interview and photograph students.

The college welcomes these opportunities while respecting the rights of students who may not wish to be interviewed or photographed. Students may be excused from classroom activities, without question, while photographs or video images are being recorded.

The Board of Trustees of Wake Technical Community College has adopted policy statements in compliance with the dictates of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).

The college's police chief is primarily responsible for developing rules and regulations to implement these policies. Crimes on all campuses are reported to the College Police Department, which investigates on-campus murder, criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, liquor law violations, drug abuse violations, weapons possession and other emergencies on campus considered to be a threat to safety. Timely reports of such occurrences are made to employees and students. In the event the perpetrator of a violent crime is subject to discipline by the college, the victim of the crime shall, at the discretion of the college's administration, be permitted to obtain results of the disciplinary proceeding.

The College Police Department prepares, publishes and distributes statistical reports that identify the occurrence of campus crimes and the number of campus arrests involving liquor law violations, drug abuse violations and weapons violations. The policy statements and statistical reports are available upon request to students and employees, as well as prospective students and the higher education community, at Building L, Room 233, Wake Technical Community College, 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Some security patrol and traffic control matters are handled by a private security company under contract with the college. This company is responsible to the college's police chief, whose office is on Southern Wake Campus, in Building L, Room 233, and whose telephone number is 919-866-5532. The college police chief also can be contacted by dialing the college's main switchboard number, 919-866-5000 (from off-campus). Students, employees and visitors are encouraged to report criminal activity and other emergencies on any campus at the college's emergency number, 919-866-5911.

Students and employees are prohibited from bringing onto campus or using alcohol or illegal drugs on campus or during any college activity. Limited exceptions to this policy may be granted by the college president or designee. The college has a Drug and Substance Abuse Council, which offers help to students and employees seeking counseling and/or assistance programs. From time to time, workshops and seminars are conducted on campus relating to the following subjects:

• Crime and safety
• Self-defense
• Drugs and alcohol
• Date rape

Other information is periodically published in the student newsletter, The Eagle's Eye. The student newspaper, The Student Voice, discusses and debates health, safety, self-defense, etc., issues.

Campus safety means protecting people and property. People working together can make our campuses safe and secure working and learning environments. Report suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to the College Police Department at 919-866-5911. Students attending classes in the evenings should walk in well-lighted areas with someone or near other people. Extra precaution should be taken by using sidewalks and crosswalks and by avoiding isolated areas. Personal valuables should be marked and not left unattended. Vehicles should be parked in a well-lighted area and locked.

Presentations by local law enforcement personnel
Wake Tech College Police officers can conduct presentations concerning robbery, motor vehicle theft and drugs and alcohol.

Annual report of criminal offenses
Wake Tech complies fully with the Clery Act, which requires the college to gather statistics about crime on campus and publish them in an annual report by October 1 each year. Read the current Annual Security Report.

Wake Technical Community College is committed to providing students, employees, contractors and visitors with a safe and secure environment that is free from threats, intimidation and violence. To that end, the college considers the following behaviors unacceptable:

• Injuring another person physically
• Engaging in behavior that creates a reasonable fear of injury to another person
• Engaging in behavior that subjects another individual to undue emotional distress
• Possessing, brandishing or using a weapon that is not required by the individual’s position while on college premises or engaged in college business
• Threatening to injure an individual or damage property
• Committing injurious acts motivated by, or related to, domestic violence or sexual harassment
• Retaliating against any person who, in good faith, reports a violation of this policy
• Any other behavior or activity that creates a threat or danger to a person or the campus

This policy will be enforceable at any property, building or other facility that is owned, leased or used by Wake Technical Community College for any college activity. Violators will be subject to Wake Tech disciplinary policies or North Carolina General Statutes as appropriate, including NCGS 14-33 Assault, NCGS 14-277.3A Stalking, 14-277.1 Communicating Threats, 14-269.2 Possession of Weapons on School Grounds, 14.160 Injury to Personal Property, 14.35 Hazing and 50.B1 Domestic Violence.

Definitions

Note: Certain Wake Tech policies predate the establishment of the process outlined below. They remain official college policies. Employees and students will be expected to comply with the process in the future.

Responsibilities

1. Faculty and staff – Faculty and staff members must be familiar with the Threat Assessment and Violence Prevention Policy and must report violations of the policy to their supervisor or appropriate administrator and the police chief. All employees are encouraged to be alert to the possibility of violence on the part of employees, former employees, students, contractors and strangers. Employees who in good faith report threats, concerning behaviors or violations of college policy will not be retaliated against. Deliberately false or misleading reports of violence will be considered unacceptable personal conduct, and the employee or student making such false or misleading reports will be subject to disciplinary action under the Wake Tech disciplinary policy.
    
2. Threat Assessment Team – The responsibility for assessing potentially-threatening behaviors rests with the college Threat Assessment Team. In making assessments, the team may consult outside resources such as counselors, law enforcement officials, threat assessment professionals, mental health specialists and others who might contribute to a successful resolution. The team will report findings from their assessments, including recommendations for appropriate interventions, to the college president or his designated representative. The Threat Assessment Team is composed of these college employees:
   • Executive Vice President (Team Leader)
   • Vice President of Workforce Development Division
   • Conduct Officers
   • Vice President of Human Resources & College Safety
   • Chief of Police

3. Crisis Management Team – The Threat Assessment Team will recommend activation of Wake Tech's Crisis Management Team in the following instances:

   • A situation poses imminent danger to a person or to the college
   • An act of violence occurs resulting in serious or fatal injuries to one or more campus members

   The Crisis Management Team will consider the impact of the incident on the campus community and initiate appropriate debriefing, counseling and support for victims, co-workers, students and families.

Principle

An educational setting in which everyone respects everyone else promotes safety. It provides a place for open discussion in which diversity and differences are respected, communication is encouraged and supported and conflict is managed and mediated constructively. Problems come to light earlier and can be addressed before they become serious or lead to violence; consequently, the potential for violence diminishes.

Procedures

For the safety of the college community, it is imperative that anyone aware of concerning behavior or perceived threats – from firsthand knowledge, written or verbal communications or any other source – report it immediately to the Wake Tech College Police at 919-866-5911 (65911 from any campus phone). Those reporting may identify themselves or remain anonymous. To the extent allowed by law and policy, any identification provided will remain confidential and will be used only by security officials for follow-up, if necessary. Those choosing to leave an anonymous report should include as much detail as possible to make sure security officials can proceed with an investigation. The police chief will address all reports as quickly as possible and convene the Threat Assessment Team when appropriate. If a report suggests that a law has been violated or that violence is imminent, the chief will immediately refer it to the College Police Department for investigation and crisis response measures, as they deem appropriate.

The Threat Assessment Team will focus its efforts on formulating strategies for preventing targeted violence in two principle areas:

• Developing the capacity to monitor and evaluate information that might indicate a risk of targeted attack
• Using the results of threat assessments to develop strategies for preventing attacks

If the team determines through inquiry that an identified behavior involving a student is non-threatening, the matter will be referred to the Conduct Officer for appropriate action. A Behavior of Concern Intervention Team (BIT) has been implemented to assess student behaviors of concern and low-level threats. Non-threatening incidents involving college employees will be directed to the Executive Director of Human Resources. If the team concludes that a law has been violated or that violence is imminent, it will immediately refer the matter to the Chief of Police.

Threat assessment will be fact-based, relying primarily on the appraisal of behaviors, rather than on stated threats or traits, as the basis for determining if there is cause for concern. The fact-based assessment considers every aspect of the person of concern and is based on the totality of what is known about that person, in four major areas: personality, family dynamics, school dynamics (and the person's role in those dynamics) and social dynamics. 

Examples of concerning behaviors

• Acts of violence
• Threats (direct, indirect, implied, veiled)
• Harassment
• Intimidation
• Hazing
• Stalking, surveillance or unwanted pursuit
• Weapons on campus or recent acquisition of firearms
• Special interest in or identification with the military, survivalist groups or weapons
• Homicidal thoughts or actions
• Preoccupation with violent themes
• Apparent obsession with someone
• Domestic disputes
• Intentional destruction of personal property
• Refusal to accept employment termination
• One-sided contact with others following employment termination
• History of conflict with others
• Documenting the activities of others when not required to do so
• Unusual verbal or written communications to others
• Repeated complaints about working conditions
• Excessive blaming of others
• Excessive or intimidating references to workplace violence incidents or other mass murders

A report should be made to the Conduct Officers if a student displays behaviors that indicate a concern, including but not limited to: 

• Self-injury
• Uttering threatening words or displaying threatening actions
• Writings that clearly communicate intentions to harm self or others
• Actions that endanger the health, safety or well-being of any member of the college community or its guests  

NOTE: If the behavior constitutes an emergency or needs immediate attention, contact College Police at 919-866-5911 (65911 from any campus phone). 

If the behavior is clearly a Student Code Violation, complete the Student Code Violation Form.

When a student behavior of concern takes place in which a student is alleged to have shown concerning behaviors, these steps must be followed by the reporting individual: 

1. If the behavior of concern that the student is displaying or has displayed is not an emergency, search for the Behavior of Concern and Threat Report form, then complete and submit the form electronically.

2. A Conduct Officer will review the report and make a determination on the referral of the report. If the report is a behavior of concern and not a conduct code violation, members of the BIT will schedule a meeting to discuss the case within five business days.

3. Within two business days, a Conduct Officer will notify the person who submitted the report that the information has been received.

4. The student will be contacted, and a determination of the submitted report will be made by the BIT; information will be given to pertinent individuals.

5. If the report is found to be only a conduct code violation, the report will be forwarded to the appropriate Conduct Officer, who will handle the case under the guidelines of the Student Code of Conduct.

In order to assist students in becoming more productive citizens of our community and to provide guidance in addressing behaviors of concern, the following are actions that the BIT may consider (but is not restricted):

• No instant action
• Contacting the student by official email or by telephone to assess his or her status
• Meeting with the student to talk about needs, services available and college expectations
• Refer students to programs and services on campus, e.g., Wellness Services, Student Success Counseling Services, Financial Aid, Disability Support Services and the ILC.

The recommendations of the BIT are final; however, the student may appeal any sanction given by a Conduct Officer.  

Confidentiality

Wake Technical Community College understands the sensitivity of information obtained, provided and/or alleged in such reports as it pertains to an individual’s reputation, privacy and anonymity. Any report of concerning behaviors or threats of violence will be handled in a confidential manner, with information released only on a need-to-know basis. When appropriate, legal guidance will be requested.

Records retention

All Behavior of Concern reports (documents, files, etc.) related to a threat assessment will be maintained by the Conduct Officers in the Maxient system. All criminal reports relating to a threat assessment will be maintained by the College Police.

Wake Technical Community College adheres to all federal, state and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. The college does not discriminate in its admissions practices (except as permitted by law), in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (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."

As a recipient of federal financial assistance for education activities, the college is required by Title IX to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex. Sex includes sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and pregnancy or parenting status. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and by college policy.

Any member of the campus community, guest or visitor who acts to deny, deprive or limit the educational, employment or social access, opportunities and/or benefits of any member of the college community on the basis of sex is in violation of the Title IX Policy.

The college values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.

When the Respondent is a member of the college community, a grievance process may be available regardless of the status of the Complainant, who may or may not be a member of the college community. This community includes, but is not limited to, students, student organizations, faculty, administrators, staff and third parties such as guests, visitors and volunteers.

For the purpose of this policy, the college refers to "student" as an individual moved to the status of student by the college’s Admissions Department and/or the Workforce Development Registrar Office's process and maintains an ongoing relationship with the college in one or more of the following categories:

• Is eligible to register for courses
• Is registered for a credit or non-credit bearing course
• Is enrolled in a credit or non-credit bearing course

The procedures below may be applied to incidents, patterns and/or the campus climate, all of which may be addressed and investigated in accordance with this policy.

Definitions

Training materials
The following link offers training materials for the college’s Title IX Team inclusive of training and certification events, select webinars and online trainings provided by the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA). The Title IX Team has participated in training relevant to each member’s responsibilities and designated roles.

Title IX Coordinator
Laura Bethea serves as the Title IX Coordinator and oversees coordination and implementation of Wake Technical Community College’s efforts related to the intake, investigation, resolution and implementation of supportive measures to stop, remedy, remediate and prevent discrimination, harassment and retaliation prohibited under this policy. All parties will be provided with a comprehensive (electronic) brochure detailing options and resources, which the Title IX Coordinator may also go over in person with the parties, as appropriate.

Independence and conflict-of-interest
The Title IX Coordinator manages the Title IX Team and acts with independence and authority free from bias and conflicts of interest. The Title IX Coordinator oversees all resolutions under this policy and these procedures. The members of the Title IX Team are vetted and trained to ensure they are not biased for or against any party in a specific case or for or against Complainants and/or Respondents generally.

To raise any concern involving bias or conflict of interest, reports of misconduct,or discrimination by the Title IX Coordinator, contact Vice President of Human Resources and College Safety Benita Clark at [email protected] or 919-866-7894 or other designee.

Concerns of bias, a potential conflict of interest or reports of misconduct or discrimination by any other Title IX Team member should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator.

Administrative contact information
Complaints or notice of alleged policy violations or inquiries about or concerns regarding this policy and procedures may be made internally to the Office of Title IX:

Title IX Coordinator

• Laura Bethea
  Southern Wake Campus
  9101 Fayetteville Road
  Raleigh, NC 27603
  919-866-6361
  [email protected]

Title IX Deputy Coordinators/Pool

• Karen Phinazee
  Southern Wake Campus
  9101 Fayetteville Road
  Raleigh, NC 27603
  [email protected]
  919-866-6169
• Benita Clark
  Southern Wake Campus
  9101 Fayetteville Road
  Raleigh, NC 27603
  [email protected]
  919-866-7894

Title IX Investigators/Pool

• Kela Farmer
  Scott Northern Wake Campus
  6600 Louisburg Road
  Raleigh, NC 27616
  [email protected]
  919-532-5935
• Anthony Garnes
  Scott Northern Wake Campus
  6600 Louisburg Road
  Raleigh, NC 27616
  [email protected]
  919-866-6873
• Paul Jenkins
  Scott Northern Wake Campus
  6600 Louisburg Road
  Raleigh, NC 27616
  [email protected]
  919-532-5557

Wake Tech Campus Police & Security
[email protected]
919-866-5911

The College has determined that the College President, Executive Vice President and Vice Presidents are Officials with Authority (OWA) to address and correct harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation. In addition to the Title IX Team members listed above, the OWA listed below may also accept notice or complaints on behalf of the college:

• Dr. Scott Ralls
  President
  [email protected]
  919-866-5141
• Dr. Gayle Greene
  Executive Vice President
  [email protected]
  919-866-5143
• Anthony Caison
  Vice President, Workforce Development
  [email protected]
  919-866-6101
• Jeffery Carter
  Vice President, Facilities
  [email protected]
  919-866-5148
• Laurie Clowers
  Vice President, Communications and Marketing
  [email protected]
  919-866-5929
• Brian Gann
  Vice President, Enrollment and Student Services
  [email protected]
  919-866-5701
• Dr. Ryan Schwiebert
  Vice President, Information Technology Services
  [email protected]
  919-866-5108
• Matthew Smith
  Vice President, Development and Strategic Partnerships
  [email protected]
  919-866-5988
• Marla Tart
  Vice President, Finance and Business Services
  [email protected]
  919-866-5901

The college has also classified all employees as Mandated Reporters of any knowledge they have that a member of the community is experiencing harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation. The section below on Mandated Reporting details which employees have this responsibility and their duties, accordingly.

Inquiries may be made externally to the following:

• Office for Civil Rights
  U.S. Department of Education
  400 Maryland Ave., SW
  Washington, D.C.  20202-1100
  Customer Service Hotline: 800-421-3481
  Fax: 202-453-6012 
  TDD: 877-521-2172
  Email: [email protected]
  Web
• North Carolina Department of Justice Civil Rights Unit
  114 W. Edenton St.
  Raleigh, NC 27603
  919-716-6400
  Fax: 919-716-6750
  Web
• North Carolina Department of Justice
  114 W. Edenton St.
  Raleigh, NC 27603
  919-716-6400
  Fax: 919-716-6750

Notice/complaints of Sex Discrimination, Harassment and/or Retaliation

Notice or complaints of sex discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation may be made using any of the following options:

1. File a complaint with or give verbal notice to the Title IX Coordinator (or deputy/deputies/OWAs as noted above). Such a report may be made at any time, including non-business hours, by using the telephone number or email address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator or any other Title IX Team Member or OWA listed above.
2. Report online, using the Maxient reporting form. Anonymous reports are accepted but can give rise to a need to investigate to determine if the parties can be identified. If not, no further formal action is taken, though measures intended to protect the community may be enacted. The Recipient tries to provide supportive measures to all complainants, which may be impossible with an anonymous report that does not identify the Complainant. Because reporting carries no obligation to initiate a formal response, and because the Recipient respects Complainant requests to dismiss complaints unless there is a compelling threat to health and/or safety, the Complainant is largely in control and should not fear a loss of confidentiality by making a report that allows the college to discuss and/or provide supportive measures.
3. Report to any supervisor and/or instructor. The information will be relayed to the appropriate college authorities.

Supportive measures

The College will offer and implement appropriate and reasonable supportive measures to the parties upon notice of alleged harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation.

Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate and as reasonably available. They are offered without fee or charge to the parties to restore or preserve access to the Recipient’s education program or activity, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties and/or the Recipient’s educational environment and/or to deter harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation.

The Title IX Coordinator promptly makes supportive measures available to the parties upon receiving notice or a complaint. At the time that supportive measures are offered, the college will inform the Complainant, in writing, that they may file a formal complaint with the college either at that time or in the future, if they have not done so already. The Title IX Coordinator works with the Complainant to ensure that their wishes are taken into account with respect to the supportive measures that are planned and implemented.

The college will maintain confidentiality of the supportive measures, provided that confidentiality does not impair the college’s ability to provide those supportive measures. The college will act to ensure as minimal an academic/occupational impact on the parties as possible. The college will implement measures in a way that does not unreasonably burden the other party.

These actions may include, but are not limited to:

• Referral to counseling, medical and/or other health care services
• Referral to community-based service providers
• Visa and immigration assistance
• Student financial aid counseling
• Education to the institutional community or community subgroup(s)
• Altering work arrangements for employees or student-employees
• Safety planning
• Providing campus safety escorts
• Providing transportation accommodations
• Implementing contact limitations (no-contact orders) between the parties
• Academic support, extensions of deadlines or other course/program-related adjustments
• Trespass, Persona Non Grata (PNG), or Be-On-the-Lookout (BOLO) orders
• Timely warnings
• Class schedule modifications, withdrawals or leaves of absence
• Increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus
• Any other actions deemed appropriate by the Title IX Coordinator

Violations of no-contact orders or other restrictions will be referred to appropriate student or employee conduct processes for enforcement.

Emergency removal

The college can act to remove a student Respondent entirely or partially from its education program or activities on an emergency basis when an individualized safety and risk analysis has determined that an immediate threat to the physical health or safety of any student or other individual justifies removal. This risk analysis is performed by the Title IX Coordinator in conjunction with the Behavioral Assessment Team (also known as BAT) using its standard objective violence risk assessment procedures.

In all cases in which an emergency removal is imposed, the student or employee will be given notice of the action and the option to request to meet with the Title IX Coordinator prior to such action/removal being imposed, or as soon thereafter as reasonably possible, to show cause why the action/removal should not be implemented or should be modified.

This meeting is not a hearing on the merits of the allegation(s), but rather is an administrative process intended to determine solely whether the emergency removal is appropriate. When this meeting is not requested in a timely manner, objections to the emergency removal will be deemed waived. A Complainant and their Advisor may be permitted to participate in this meeting if the Title IX Coordinator determines it is equitable to do so.

This section also applies to any restrictions that a coach or athletic administrator may place on a student-athlete arising from allegations related to Title IX.

There is no appeal process for emergency removal decisions.

A Respondent may be accompanied by an Advisor of their choice when meeting with the Title IX Coordinator for the show cause meeting. The Respondent will be given access to a written summary of the basis for the emergency removal prior to the meeting to allow for adequate preparation.

The Title IX Coordinator has sole discretion under this policy to implement or stay an emergency removal and to determine the conditions and duration. Violation of an emergency removal under this policy will be grounds for discipline within the student or employee conduct processes, which may include expulsion or termination.

The college will implement the least restrictive emergency actions possible in light of the circumstances and safety concerns. As determined by the Title IX Coordinator, these actions could include but are not limited to temporarily reassigning an employee, restricting a student’s or employee’s access to or use of facilities or equipment, allowing a student to withdraw or take grades of incomplete without financial penalty, authorizing an administrative leave and suspending a student’s participation in extracurricular activities, student employment, student organizational leadership or intercollegiate/intramural athletics.

At the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator, alternative coursework options may be pursued to ensure as minimal an academic impact as possible on the parties.

When the Respondent is an employee, existing provisions for interim action are applicable instead of the above emergency removal process.

Promptness

All allegations are acted upon promptly by the college once it has received notice or a formal complaint. Complaints can take 60 to 90 business days to resolve, typically. There are always exceptions and extenuating circumstances that can cause a resolution to take longer, but the college will avoid all undue delays within its control.

Any time the general time frames for resolution outlined in the college’s procedures will be delayed, the college provide written notice to the parties of the delay, the cause of the delay and an estimate of the anticipated additional time that will be needed as a result of the delay.

Confidentiality/privacy

Every effort is made by the college to preserve the confidentiality of reports. The college will not share the identity of any individual who has made a report or complaint of harassment, discrimination or retaliation, any Complainant, any individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of sex discrimination, any Respondent or any witness, except as permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232g; FERPA regulations, 34 CFR part 99; or as required by law or to carry out the purposes of 34 CFR Part 106, including the conducting of any investigation, hearing or grievance proceeding arising under these policies and procedures.

For the purpose of this policy, privacy and confidentiality have distinct meanings.

Privacy means that information related to a complaint will be shared with a limited number of college employees who "need to know" in order to assist in the assessment, investigation and resolution of the report. All employees who are involved in the college’s response to notice under this policy receive specific training and guidance about sharing and safeguarding private information in accordance with state and federal law. The privacy of student education records will be protected in accordance with FERPA, as outlined in college policy. The privacy of employee records will be protected in accordance with Human Resources policies.

Confidentiality exists in the context of laws that protect certain relationships, including those who provide services related to medical and clinical care, mental health providers, counselors and ordained clergy. The law creates a privilege between certain health care providers, mental health care providers, attorneys, clergy, spouses and others with their patients, clients, parishioners and spouses. The college has designated individuals who have the ability to have privileged communications as Confidential Resources as noted in the glossary.

When information is shared by a Complainant with a Confidential Resource, the Confidential Resource cannot reveal the information to any third party except when an applicable law or a court order requires or permits disclosure of such information. For example, information may be disclosed when the individual gives written consent for its disclosure, there is a concern that the individual will likely cause serious physical harm to self or others or the information concerns conduct involving suspected abuse or neglect of a minor under age 18, elders, or individuals with disabilities. Non-identifiable information may be shared by Confidential Resources for statistical tracking purposes as required by the federal Clery Act. Other information may be shared as required by law.

Reporting to law enforcement, child protective services and/or a similar agency of sexual abuse of a minor by faculty, staff or volunteers affiliated with the institution is required by the Title IX Office personnel, including the Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Coordinators and/or Investigators as designated by the Title IX Coordinator.

The college reserves the right to designate which college officials have a legitimate educational interest in being informed about incidents that fall within this policy, pursuant to FERPA.

Only a small group of officials who need to know will typically be told about the complaint, including but not limited to college police, Curriculum Education Services, Wellness Services and the Behavioral Assessment Team. Information will be shared as necessary with Title IX Investigators, Hearing Panel members/Decision-makers, witnesses and the parties. The circle of people with this knowledge will be kept as tight as possible to preserve the parties’ rights and privacy.

The college may contact parents/guardians to inform them of situations in which there is a significant and articulable health and/or safety risk, but will usually consult with the student first before doing so.

Confidentiality and mandated reporting are addressed more specifically in the mandating reporting section.

Jurisdiction of Wake Technical Community College

This policy applies to the educational programs and activities of the college, to conduct that takes place on the campus or on property owned or controlled by the college, at college-sponsored events and in buildings owned or controlled by the college’s recognized student organizations. The Respondent must be a member of the college’s community in order for this policy to apply.

This policy can also be applicable to the effects of off-campus misconduct that effectively deprives a person of access to the college’s educational program. The college may also extend jurisdiction to off-campus and/or to online conduct when the Title IX Coordinator determines that the conduct affects a substantial interest to the college.

Regardless of where the conduct occurred, the college will address notice/complaints to determine whether the conduct occurred in the context of its employment or educational program or activity and/or has continuing effects on campus or in an off-campus sponsored program or activity. A substantial interest to the college includes:

1. Any action that constitutes a criminal offense as defined by law. This includes but is not limited to single or repeat violations of any local, state or federal law.
2. Any situation in which it is determined that the Respondent poses an immediate threat to the physical health or safety of any student, employee. or other individual
3. Any situation that significantly impinges upon the rights, property or achievements of oneself or others, significantly breaches the peace and/or causes social disorder
4. Any situation that substantially interferes with the educational interests or mission of Wake Technical Community College

If the Respondent is unknown or is not a member of the college community, the Title IX Coordinator will assist the Complainant in identifying appropriate campus and local resources and support options. If criminal conduct is alleged, the college can assist in contacting local or campus law enforcement if the individual would like to file a police report.

Further, even when the Respondent is not a member of the college community, supportive measures, remedies and resources may be provided to the Complainant by contacting the Title IX Coordinator.

In addition, the College may take other actions as appropriate to protect the Complainant against third parties, such as barring individuals from the college’s property and/or events.

All vendors serving the college through third-party contracts are subject to the policies and procedures of their employers and/or to these policies and procedures to which their employer has agreed to be bound by their contracts.

When the Respondent is enrolled in or employed by another institution, the Title IX Coordinator can assist the Complainant in liaising with the appropriate individual at that institution, as it may be possible to allege violations through that institution’s policies.

Similarly, the Title IX Coordinator may be able to assist and support a student or employee Complainant who experiences discrimination in an externship, study abroad program or other environment external to the college where sexual harassment policies and procedures of the facilitating or host organization may give recourse to the Complainant.

Time limit on reporting

There is no time limit on providing notice/complaints to the Title IX Coordinator. However, if the Respondent is no longer subject to the college’s jurisdiction and/or significant time has passed, the ability to investigate, respond and provide remedies may be more limited or impossible.

Acting on notice/complaints significantly impacted by the passage of time is at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator, who may document allegations for future reference, offer supportive measures and/or provide remedies and/or engage in informal or formal action, as appropriate.

When a notice/complaint is affected by a significant time delay, the college will typically apply the policy in place at the time of the alleged misconduct and the procedures in place at the time of notice/complaint. Typically, this policy is applied only to incidents that occurred after August 14, 2020. For incidents that occurred prior to August 14, 2020, previous versions of this policy will apply. Those versions are available from the Title IX Coordinator.

Online harassment and misconduct

The policies of Wake Technical Community College are written and interpreted broadly to include online and cyber manifestations of any of the behaviors prohibited below, when those behaviors occur in or have an effect on the college’s education program and activities or when they involve the use of the college’s networks, technology or equipment.

Although the college may not control websites, social media and other venues through which harassing communications are made, when such communications are reported to the college, it will engage in a variety of means to address and mitigate the effects.

Members of the college community are encouraged to be good digital citizens and to refrain from online misconduct, such as feeding anonymous gossip sites, sharing inappropriate content via Snaps or other social media, unwelcome sexual or sex-based messaging, distributing or threatening to distribute revenge pornography, breaches of privacy or otherwise using the ease of transmission and/or anonymity of the internet or other technology to harm another member of the college community.

Any online posting or other electronic communication by students, including cyber-bullying, cyber-stalking, cyber-harassment, etc., occurring completely outside of the college’s control (e.g., not on the college’s networks, websites or between college email accounts) will be subject to this policy only when such online conduct can be shown to cause a substantial in-program disruption or infringement on the rights of others.

Otherwise, such communications are considered speech protected by the First Amendment. Supportive measures for Complainants will be provided, but protected speech cannot legally be subjected to discipline.

Off-campus harassing speech by employees, whether online or in person, may be regulated by the college only when such speech is made in an employee’s official or work-related capacity.

Disability discrimination and accommodation policy

Wake Technical Community College is committed to full compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities, as well as other federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to individuals with disabilities.

Under the ADA and its amendments, a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.

The ADA also protects individuals who have a record of a substantially limiting impairment or who are regarded as disabled by the college, regardless of whether they currently have a disability. A substantial impairment is one that significantly limits or restricts a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, walking or caring for oneself.

Angelita Ragland has been designated as Wake Technical Community College's ADA Coordinator/504 Officer and responsible for overseeing efforts to comply with these disability laws, including responding to grievances and conducting investigations of any allegation of noncompliance or discrimination based on disability.

Grievances related to disability status and/or accommodations will be addressed using the procedures below. For details relating to disability accommodations in the college’s resolution process, see previous section.

a. Students with disabilities
Wake Technical Community College is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities with reasonable accommodations and support needed to ensure equal access to the academic programs, facilities, and activities of the college.

All accommodations are made on an individualized basis. A student requesting any accommodation should first contact Angelita Ragland, the director of Disability Support Services, who coordinates services for students with disabilities.

The Director of Disability Support Services reviews documentation provided by the student and, in consultation with the student, determines which accommodations are appropriate for the student’s particular needs and academic program(s) in accordance with the college’s applicable policies.

b. Employees with disabilities
Pursuant to the ADA, the college will provide reasonable accommodation(s) to all qualified employees with known disabilities when their disability affects the performance of their essential job functions, except when doing so would be unduly disruptive or would result in undue hardship to the college.

An employee with a disability is responsible for submitting a request for an accommodation to the ADA Coordinator/504 Officer and providing necessary documentation. The ADA Coordinator/504 Officer will work with the employee’s supervisor to identify which essential functions of the position are affected by the employee’s disability and what reasonable accommodations could enable the employee to perform those duties.

Sexual harassment policy

The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the state of North Carolina regard sexual harassment, a specific form of discriminatory harassment, as an unlawful discriminatory practice.

The college has adopted the following definition of sexual harassment in order to address the unique environment of an academic community, which consists not only of employer and employees, but of students as well.

Acts of sexual harassment may be committed by any person upon any other person, regardless of the sex, sexual orientation and/or gender identity of those involved.

Sexual harassment, as an umbrella category, includes the offenses of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, and is defined as conduct on the basis of sex/gender or that is sexual in nature that satisfies one or more of the following:

• Quid pro quo: An employee of the college conditions the provision of an aid, benefit or service of the college on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct
   
• Sexual harassment: Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the college’s education program or activity. Unwelcomeness is subjective and determined by the Complainant (except when the Complainant is below the age of consent). Severity, pervasiveness and objective offensiveness are evaluated based on the totality of the circumstances from the perspective of a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances ("in the shoes of the Complainant"), including the context in which the alleged incident occurred and any similar, previous patterns that may be evidenced.
   

• Sexual assault, defined as the following:

  • Sex offenses (forcible): Any sexual act directed against another person without the consent of the Complainant, including instances in which the Complainant is incapable of giving consent.
  • Sex offenses (non-forcible):
    • Incest: Non-forcible sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other, within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by North Carolina law.
    • Statutory rape: Non-forcible sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent of North Carolina.
• Dating violence: Violence, on the basis of sex, committed by a person who is in or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the Complainant. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the Complainant’s statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. Dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. Dating violence does not include acts covered under the definition of domestic violence.
   
• Domestic violence: Violence, on the basis of sex, committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the Complainant, by a person with whom the Complainant shares a child in common or who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with, the Complainant as a spouse or intimate partner, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the Complainant under the domestic or family violence laws of North Carolina or by any other person against an adult or youth Complainant who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of North Carolina.
  
  To categorize an incident as domestic violence under this policy, the relationship between the Respondent and the Complainant must be more than just two people living together as roommates. The people cohabitating must be current or former spouses or have an intimate relationship.
   
• Stalking: Engaging in a course of conduct, on the basis of sex, directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety, the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress.
  
  Course of conduct means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the Respondent directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property.
  
  Reasonable person means a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the Complainant.
  
  Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may but does not necessarily require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.
   

The College reserves the right to impose any level of sanction, ranging from a reprimand up to and including suspension or expulsion/termination, for any offense under this policy. The most serious offenses are likely to result in suspension/expulsion/termination, where warranted.

Force, coercion, consent and incapacitation

As used in the offenses above, the following definitions and understandings apply:

• Force: Force is the use of physical violence and/or physical imposition to gain sexual access. Force also includes threats, intimidation (implied threats), and coercion that is intended to overcome resistance or produce consent (e.g., "Have sex with me, or I'll hit you," which elicits the response, "OK. Don't hit me. I'll do what you want.").
  Sexual activity that is forced is, by definition, non-consensual, but non-consensual sexual activity is not necessarily forced. Silence or the absence of resistance alone is not consent. Consent is not demonstrated by the absence of resistance. While resistance is not required or necessary, it is a clear demonstration of non-consent.
   
• Coercion: Coercion is unreasonable pressure for sexual activity. Coercive conduct differs from seductive conduct based on factors such as the type and/or extent of the pressure used to obtain consent. When someone makes clear that they do not want to engage in certain sexual activity, that they want to stop, or that they do not want to go past a certain point of sexual interaction, continued pressure beyond that point can be coercive.
   
• Consent: Consent is knowing and voluntary and clear permission by word or action to engage in sexual activity.
  Individuals may perceive and experience the same interaction in different ways; therefore, it is the responsibility of each party to determine that the other has consented before engaging in the activity.
  If consent is not clearly provided prior to engaging in the activity, consent may be ratified by word or action at some point during the interaction or thereafter, but clear communication from the outset is strongly encouraged.
  For consent to be valid, there must be a clear expression in words or actions that the other individual consented to that specific sexual conduct. Reasonable reciprocation can be implied. For example, if someone kisses you, you can kiss them back (if you want to) without the need to explicitly obtain their consent to being kissed back.
  Consent can also be withdrawn once given, as long as the withdrawal is reasonably and clearly communicated. If consent is withdrawn, that sexual activity should cease within a reasonable time.
  Consent to some sexual contact (such as kissing or fondling) cannot be presumed to be consent for other sexual activity (such as intercourse). A current or previous intimate relationship is not sufficient to constitute consent.
  Proof of consent or non-consent is not a burden placed on either party involved in an incident. Instead, the burden remains on the Wake Technical Community College to determine whether its policy has been violated. The existence of consent is based on the totality of the circumstances evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances, including the context in which the alleged incident occurred and any similar and previous patterns that may be evidenced.
  Consent in relationships must also be considered in context. When parties consent to bondage, discipline/dominance, submission/sadism and masochism (BDSM) or other forms of kink, non-consent may be shown by the use of a safe word. Resistance, force, violence, or even saying "no" may be part of the kink and thus consensual, so the College's evaluation of communication in kink situations should be guided by reasonableness, rather than strict adherence to policy that assumes non-kink relationships as a default.
   
• Incapacitation: A person cannot consent if they are unable to understand what is happening or is disoriented, helpless, asleep or unconscious, for any reason, including by alcohol or other drugs. As stated above, a Respondent violates this policy if they engage in sexual activity with someone who is incapable of giving consent.
  It is a defense to a sexual assault policy violation that the Respondent neither knew nor should have known the Complainant to be physically or mentally incapacitated. "Should have known" is an objective, reasonable person standard that assumes that a reasonable person is both sober and exercising sound judgment.
  Incapacitation occurs when someone cannot make rational, reasonable decisions because they lack the capacity to give knowing/informed consent (e.g., to understand the "who, what, when, where, why and how" of their sexual interaction).
  Incapacitation is determined through consideration of all relevant indicators of an individual’s state and is not synonymous with intoxication, impairment, blackout, and/or being drunk.
  This policy also covers a person whose incapacity results from a temporary or permanent physical or mental health condition, involuntary physical restraint and/or the consumption of incapacitating drugs.

Other civil rights offenses
In addition to the forms of sexual harassment described above, which are covered by Title IX, the College additionally prohibits the following offenses as forms of discrimination that may be within or outside of Title IX when the act is based upon the Complainant’s actual or perceived membership in a protected class.

• Sexual exploitation, defined as: an individual taking non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another for their own benefit or for the benefit of anyone other than the person being exploited, and that conduct does not otherwise constitute sexual harassment under this Policy. Examples of sexual exploitation include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Sexual voyeurism (such as observing or allowing others to observe a person undressing or using the bathroom or engaging in sexual acts, without the consent of the person being observed)
  • Invasion of sexual privacy
  • Taking pictures, video or audio recording of another in a sexual act, or in any other sexually-related activity when there is a reasonable expectation of privacy during the activity, without the consent of all involved in the activity, or exceeding the boundaries of consent (such as allowing another person to hide in a closet and observe sexual activity, or disseminating sexual pictures without the photographed person’s consent), including the making or posting of revenge pornography
  • Prostituting another person
  • Engaging in sexual activity with another person while knowingly infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI), without informing the other person of the virus, disease, or infection
  • Causing or attempting to cause the incapacitation of another person (through alcohol, drugs, or any other means) for the purpose of compromising that person’s ability to give consent to sexual activity, or for the purpose of making that person vulnerable to non-consensual sexual activity
  • Misappropriation of another person's identity on apps, websites, or other venues designed for dating or sexual connections
  • Forcing a person to take an action against that person’s will by threatening to show, post, or share information, video, audio, or an image that depicts the person’s nudity or sexual activity
  • Knowingly soliciting a minor for sexual activity
  • Engaging in sex trafficking
  • Knowing creation, possession or dissemination of child pornography
  • Threatening or causing physical harm, extreme verbal, emotional, or psychological abuse; or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person
  • Discrimination, defined as actions that deprive, limit or deny other members of the community of educational or employment access, benefits or opportunities, including disparate treatment
  • Intimidation, defined as implied threats or acts that cause an unreasonable fear of harm in another
  • Hazing, defined as acts likely to cause physical or psychological harm or social ostracism to any person within the College community, when related to the admission, initiation, pledging, joining, or any other group-affiliation activity
  • Bullying, defined as repeated and/or severe aggressive behavior likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control or diminish another person, physically and/or mentally, that is not speech or conduct otherwise protected by the First Amendment

  Violation of any other College policies may constitute a Civil Rights Offense when a violation is motivated by actual or perceived membership in a protected class, and the result is a discriminatory limitation or denial of employment or educational access, benefits, or opportunities.

  Sanctions for the above-listed Civil Rights Offenses range from reprimand through expulsion/termination.

  Unethical relationships/consensual relationships policy

  There are inherent risks in any romantic or sexual relationship between individuals in unequal positions (such as faculty member and student or supervisor and employee). These relationships may, in reality, be less consensual than perceived by the individual whose position confers power or authority. Similarly, the relationship also may be viewed in different ways by each of the parties, particularly in retrospect. Circumstances may change, and conduct that was once welcomed may, at some point in the relationship, become unwelcomed.

  The College does not wish to interfere with private choices regarding personal relationships when these relationships do not interfere with the goals and policies of the College. However, for the personal protection of members of this community, relationships are prohibited in which power differentials and professional responsibility are inherent.

  Employees may refer to the College's Employee Handbook for further details regarding personal relationships with others in the College community.

  Retaliation
  Protected activity under this policy includes reporting an incident that may implicate this policy, participating in the grievance process, supporting a Complainant or Respondent, assisting in providing information relevant to an investigation, and/or acting in good faith to oppose conduct that constitutes a violation of this Policy.

  Acts of alleged retaliation should be reported immediately to the Title IX Coordinator and will be promptly investigated. The College will take all appropriate and available steps to protect individuals who fear that they may be subjected to retaliation.

  The College and any member of the College community are prohibited from taking or attempting to take materially adverse action by intimidating, threatening, coercing, harassing, or discriminating against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by law or policy, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Policy and procedure.

  Filing a complaint within Process B could be considered retaliatory if those charges could be applicable under Process A, when the Process B charger are made for the purpose of interfering with or circumventing any right or privilege provided afforded within Process A that is not provided by Process B.  Therefore, the College vets all complaints carefully to ensure this does not happen, and to ensure that complaints are routed to the appropriate process.

  Charges against an individual for code of conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or complaint of sex discrimination, or a report or complaint of sexual harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX, constitutes retaliation.

  The exercise of rights protected under the First Amendment does not constitute retaliation.

  Charging an individual with a code of conduct violation for making a materially false statement in bad faith in the course of a grievance proceeding under this policy and procedure does not constitute retaliation, provided that the determination of responsibility, by itself, is not sufficient to conclude that any party has made a materially false statement in bad faith.

  Mandated reporting
  All College employees (faculty, staff, and administrators) are expected to report actual or suspected discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to appropriate officials immediately, although there are some limited exceptions.

  In order to make informed choices, it is important to be aware of confidentiality and mandatory reporting requirements when consulting campus resources. On campus, some resources may maintain confidentiality and are not required to report actual or suspected discrimination or harassment in a way that identifies the parties. They may offer options and resources without any obligation to inform an outside agency or campus official unless a Complainant has requested the information be shared.

  If a Complainant expects formal action in response to their allegations, reporting to any Mandated Reporter can connect them with resources to report crimes and/or policy violations, and these employees will immediately pass reports to the Title IX Coordinator (and/or police, if desired by the Complainant), who will take action when an incident is reported to them.

  The following sections describe the reporting options at the College for a Complainant or third-party (including parents/guardians when appropriate):

  a. Confidential resources
  If a Complainant would like the details of an incident to be kept confidential, the Complainant may speak with:

  • On-campus/virtual (employees) licensed professional counselors (Wellness Services)
  • Off-campus/virtual (non-employees):
    • Licensed professional counselors and other medical providers
    • Local rape crisis counselors
    • Domestic violence resources
    • Local or state assistance agencies
    • Clergy/Chaplains
    • Attorneys

  All of the above-listed individuals will maintain confidentiality when acting under the scope of their licensure, professional ethics, and/or professional credentials, or official designation, except in extreme cases of immediacy of threat or danger or abuse of a minor/elder/individual with a disability, or when required to disclose by law or court order.

  College licensed professional counselors associated with the College’s Wellness Services (students) are available to help free of charge and may be consulted on an emergency basis during normal business hours as outlined below.

  Wellness Services (students and student referrals only)
  [email protected]

  • Shakeda Muldrow, MSW, LCSWA
    919-866-6151
    [email protected]
  • Elaine Rodriguez, MSW, LCSWA
    919-532-5796
    [email protected]

  College employees who have confidential privilege as described above, and who receive reports within the scope of their confidential roles will timely submit anonymous statistical information for Clery Act purposes unless they believe it would be harmful to their service participant or client.

  b. Anonymous notice to mandated reporters
  At the request of a Complainant, notice may be given by a Mandated Reporter to the Title IX Coordinator anonymously, without identification of the Complainant. The Mandated Reporter cannot remain anonymous themselves.

  If a Complainant has requested that a Mandated Reporter maintain the Complainant’s anonymity, the Mandated Reporter may do so unless it is reasonable to believe that a compelling threat to health or safety could exist. The Mandated Reporter can consult with the Title IX Coordinator on that assessment without revealing personally identifiable information.

  Anonymous notice will be investigated by the College to the extent possible, both to assess the underlying allegation(s) and to determine if supportive measures or remedies can be provided.

  However, anonymous notice typically limits the College’s ability to investigate, respond, and provide remedies, depending on what information is shared.

  When a Complainant has made a request for anonymity, the Complainant’s personally identifiable information may be withheld by a Mandated Reporter, but all other details must be shared with the Title IX Coordinator. Mandated reporters may not be able to maintain requests for anonymity for Complainants who are minors, elderly, and/or disabled, depending on state reporting of abuse requirements.

  c. Mandated reporters and Formal Notice/Complaints
  All employees the College (including student employees), with the exception of those who are designated as Confidential Resources, are Mandated Reporters and must promptly share with the Title IX Coordinator all known details of a report made to them in the course of their employment.

  Employees must also promptly share all details of behaviors under this policy that they observe or have knowledge of, even if not reported to them by a Complainant or third-party.

  Complainants may want to carefully consider whether they share personally identifiable details with non-confidential Mandated Reporters, as those details must be shared with the Title IX Coordinator.

  Generally, disclosures in climate surveys, classroom writing assignments or discussions, human subjects research, events, marches, or speak-outs do not provide notice that must be reported to the Title IX Coordinator by employees, unless the Complainant clearly indicates that they desire a report to be made or a seek a specific response from the College.

  Supportive measures may be offered as the result of such disclosures without formal action by the College.

  Failure of a Mandated Reporter, as described above in this section, to report an incident of harassment or discrimination of which they become aware is a violation of the College’s policy and can be subject to disciplinary action for failure to comply.

  Though this may seem obvious, when a Mandated Reporter is engaged in harassment or other violations of this policy, they still have a duty to report their own misconduct, though the College is technically not on notice when a harasser is also a Mandated Reporter unless the harasser does in fact report themselves.

  Finally, it is important to clarify that a Mandated Reporter who is themselves a target of harassment or other misconduct under this policy is not required to report their own experience, though they are, of course, encouraged to do so.

  When a Complainant Does Not Wish to Proceed
  If a Complainant does not wish for their name to be shared, does not wish for an investigation to take place, and/or does not want a formal complaint to be pursued, they may make such a request to the Title IX Coordinator, who will evaluate that request in light of the duty to ensure the safety of the campus and to comply with state or federal law.

  The Title IX Coordinator has ultimate discretion over whether the College proceeds when the Complainant does not wish to do so, and the Title IX Coordinator may sign a formal complaint to initiate a grievance process usually upon completion of an appropriate violence risk assessment.

  The Title IX Coordinator’s decision should be based on results of the violence risk assessment that show a compelling risk to health and/or safety that requires the College to pursue formal action to protect the community.

  A compelling risk to health and/or safety may result from evidence of patterns of misconduct, predatory conduct, threats, abuse of minors, use of weapons, and/or violence. The College may be compelled to act on alleged employee misconduct irrespective of a Complainant’s wishes.

  The Title IX Coordinator must also consider the effect that non-participation by the Complainant may have on the availability of evidence and the College’s ability to pursue a Formal Grievance Process fairly and effectively.

  When the Title IX Coordinator executes the written complaint, they do not become the Complainant. The Complainant is the individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute a violation of this policy.

  When the College proceeds, the Complainant (and/or their Advisor) may have as much or as little involvement in the process as they wish. The Complainant retains all rights of a Complainant under this Policy irrespective of their level of participation. Typically, when the Complainant chooses not to participate, the Advisor may be appointed as proxy for the Complainant throughout the process, acting to ensure and protect the rights of the Complainant, though this does not extend to the provision of evidence or testimony.

  Note that the College’s ability to remedy and respond to notice may be limited if the Complainant does not want the College to proceed with an investigation and/or grievance process. The goal is to provide the Complainant with as much control over the process as possible, while balancing the College’s obligation to protect its community.

  In cases in which the Complainant requests confidentiality/no formal action and the circumstances allow the College to honor that request, the College may offer informal resolution options (see below), supportive measures, and remedies to the Complainant and the community, but will not otherwise pursue formal action.

  If the Complainant elects to take no action, they can change that decision if they decide to pursue a formal complaint at a later date. Upon making a formal complaint, a Complainant has the right, and can expect, to have allegations taken seriously by the College, and to have the incidents investigated and properly resolved through these procedures.  Please consider that delays may cause limitations on access to evidence, or present issues with respect to the status of the parties.

  Federal Timely Warning Obligations
  Parties reporting sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking should be aware that under the Clery Act, the College must issue timely warnings for incidents reported incidents that pose a serious or continuing threat of bodily harm or danger to members of the campus community.

  The College will ensure that a Complainant’s name and other identifying information is not disclosed, while still providing enough information for community members to make safety decisions in light of the potential danger.

  False Allegations and Evidence
  Deliberately false and/or malicious accusations under this policy, are a serious offense and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. This does not include allegations that are made in good faith but are ultimately shown to be erroneous or do not result in a policy violation determination.

  Additionally, witnesses and parties knowingly providing false evidence, tampering with or destroying evidence after being directed to preserve such evidence, or deliberately misleading an official conducting an investigation can be subject to discipline under the appropriate College policies.

  Amnesty for Complainants and Witnesses
  The College community encourages the reporting of misconduct and crimes by Complainants and witnesses. Sometimes, Complainants or witnesses are hesitant to report to College officials or participate in grievance processes because they fear that they themselves may be in violation of certain policies, such as underage drinking or use of illicit drugs at the time of the incident. Respondents may hesitate to be forthcoming during the process for the same reasons.

  It is in the best interests of the College community that Complainants choose to report misconduct to College officials, that witnesses come forward to share what they know, and that all parties be forthcoming during the process.

  To encourage reporting and participation in the process, the College maintains a policy of offering parties and witnesses amnesty from minor policy violations – such as underage consumption of alcohol or the use of illicit drugs – related to the incident.

  Amnesty does not apply to more serious allegations such as physical abuse of another or illicit drug distribution. The decision not to offer amnesty to a Respondent is based on neither sex nor gender, but on the fact that collateral misconduct is typically addressed for all students within a progressive discipline system, and the rationale for amnesty – the incentive to report serious misconduct – is rarely applicable to Respondent with respect to a Complainant.

  Students: The College maintains a policy of amnesty for students who offer help to others in need. Although policy violations cannot be overlooked, the College may provide purely educational options with no official disciplinary finding, rather than punitive sanctions, to those who offer their assistance to others in need.

  Employees: The College may, at its discretion, offer employee Complainants amnesty from such policy violations (typically more minor policy violations) related to the incident. Amnesty may also be granted to Respondents and witnesses on a case-by-case basis.

  Federal Statistical Reporting Obligations

  Certain campus officials – those deemed Campus Security Authorities – have a duty to report the following for federal statistical reporting purposes (Clery Act):

  • All "primary crimes," which include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson
  • Hate crimes, which include any bias motivated primary crime as well as any bias motivated larceny or theft, simple assault, intimidation or destruction/damage/vandalism of property
  • VAWA-based crimes, which include sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking
  • Arrests and referrals for disciplinary action for weapons-related law violations, liquor-related law violations and drug abuse-related law violations

  All personally identifiable information is kept private, but statistical information must be shared with campus police regarding the type of incident and its general location (on or off-campus or in the surrounding area, but no addresses are given) for publication in the Annual Security Report and daily campus crime log.

  Campus Security Authorities include: student services/student conduct staff, campus law enforcement, local police, coaches, athletic directors, student activities staff, human resources staff, advisors to student organizations and any other official with significant responsibility for student and campus activities.

  Preservation of Evidence
  The preservation of evidence in incidents of sexual assault is critical to potential criminal prosecution and to obtaining restraining orders and is particularly time sensitive. The College will inform the Complainant of the importance of preserving evidence by taking the following actions:

  • Seek forensic medical assistance at a local hospital, ideally within 120 hours of the incident (sooner is better).
  • Avoid showering, bathing, washing hands or face or douching, if possible, but evidence may still be collected even if you do.
  • Try not to urinate.
  • If oral sexual contact took place, refrain from smoking, eating, drinking or brushing teeth.
  • If clothes are changed, place soiled clothes in a paper bag (plastic destroys evidence) or secure evidence container.
  • Seeking medical treatment can be essential even if it is not for the purposes of collecting forensic evidence. During the initial meeting between the Complainant and the Title IX Coordinator, the importance of taking these actions will be reiterated, if timely.

  Interim resolution process for alleged violations (Process A)

  1. Overview

  The College will act on any formal or informal notice/complaint of violation of the policy that is received by the Title IX Coordinator or any other Official with Authority by applying these procedures, known as "Process A."

  The procedures below apply only to qualifying allegations of sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, as defined above) involving students, staff, administrators, or faculty members.

  If other Policy definitions are invoked, such as policies on protected class harassment or discrimination as defined above, the procedures will be applicable to the resolution of such offenses, known as "Process B."

  Process B can also apply to sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, as defined above) when jurisdiction does not fall within Process A, as determined by the Title IX Coordinator.

  The procedures below may be used to address collateral misconduct arising from the investigation of or occurring in conjunction with reported misconduct (e.g., vandalism, physical abuse of another), when alleged violations of the Policy are being addressed at the same time. All other allegations of misconduct unrelated to incidents covered by the Policy will be addressed through procedures described in the student, faculty, and staff handbooks.

  2. Notice/Complaint

  Upon receipt of a complaint or notice to the Title IX Coordinator of an alleged violation of the Policy, the Title IX Coordinator initiates a prompt initial assessment to determine the next steps the College needs to take.

  The Title IX Coordinator will initiate at least one of three responses:
  1) Offering supportive measures because the Complainant does not want to file a formal complaint and/or

  2) An informal resolution (upon submission of a formal complaint); and/or

  3) A Formal Grievance Process including an investigation and a hearing (upon submission of a formal complaint);

  The College uses the Formal Grievance Process to determine whether or not the Policy has been violated. If so, the College will promptly implement effective remedies designed to ensure that it is not deliberately indifferent to harassment or discrimination, their potential recurrence, or their effects.

  3. Initial Assessment

  Following receipt of notice or a complaint of an alleged violation of this Policy, the Title IX Coordinator engages in an initial assessment, typically one to five business days. The steps in an initial assessment can include:

  • The Title IX Coordinator seeks to determine if the person impacted wishes to make a formal complaint, and will assist them to do so, if desired. If they do not wish to do so, the Title IX Coordinator determines whether to initiate a complaint themselves because a violence risk assessment indicates a compelling threat to health and/or safety.
  • If a formal complaint is received, the Title IX Coordinator assesses its sufficiency and works with the Complainant to make sure it is correctly completed.
  • The Title IX Coordinator reaches out to the Complainant to offer supportive measures and works with the Complainant to ensure they are aware of the right to have an Advisor.
  • The Title IX Coordinator works with the Complainant to determine whether the Complainant prefers a supportive and remedial response, an informal resolution option, or a formal investigation and grievance process.
    • If a supportive and remedial response is preferred, the Title IX Coordinator works with the Complainant to identify their wishes, assess their requests, and implements accordingly. No Formal Grievance Process is initiated, though the Complainant can elect to initiate one later, if desired.
    • If an informal resolution option is preferred, the Title IX Coordinator assesses whether the complaint is suitable for informal resolution, which informal mechanism may serve the situation best or is available, and may seek to determine if the Respondent is also willing to engage in informal resolution.
    • If a Formal Grievance Process is preferred by the Complainant, the Title IX Coordinator determines if the misconduct alleged falls within the scope of the 2020 Title IX regulations.
      If it does, the Title IX Coordinator will initiate the formal investigation and grievance process, directing the investigation to address an incident, a pattern of alleged misconduct and/or a culture/climate issue, based on the nature of the complaint.
      If it does not, the Title IX Coordinator determines that Title IX does not apply (and will "dismiss" that aspect of the complaint, if any), assesses which policies may apply, which resolution process is applicable, and will refer the matter accordingly, including referring the matter for resolution under Process B, if applicable. Please note that dismissing a complaint under the 2020 Title IX regulations is solely a procedural requirement under Title IX which does not limit the College's authority to address a complaint with an appropriate process and remedies.

  3a. Risk assessment tool for behaviors of concern
  In some cases, the Title IX Coordinator may determine that a risk assessment tool for behaviors of concern should be conducted by the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) as of the initial assessment. Threat assessment is the process of evaluating the actionability of violence by an individual against another person or group following the issuance of a direct or conditional threat.

  This assessment can aid in critical and/or required determinations, including the following:

  • Emergency removal of a Respondent on the basis of immediate threat to an individual or the community’s physical health/safety
  • Whether the Title IX Coordinator should pursue/sign a formal complaint absent a willing/able Complainant
  • Whether the scope of the investigation should include an incident, and/or pattern of misconduct and/or climate of hostility/harassment
  • To help identify potential predatory conduct
  • Whether it is reasonable to try to resolve a complaint through informal resolution, and if so, what approach may be most successful
  • Whether to permit a voluntary withdrawal by the Respondent
  • Whether to impose transcript notation or communicate with a transfer institution about a Respondent
  • Assessment of appropriate sanctions/remedies (to be applied post-hearing)
  • Whether a Clery Act Timely Warning/Trespass order is needed

  The risk assessment tool requires specific training and are typically conducted by psychologists, clinical counselors, social workers, case managers, law enforcement officers, student conduct officers or other BIT members. The risk assessment authorized by the Title IX Coordinator should occur in collaboration with the BIT. Where a risk assessment is required by the Title IX Coordinator, a Respondent refusing to cooperate may result in a charge of failure to comply within the appropriate student or employee conduct process.

  For the purpose of this policy, the risk assessment tool is not an evaluation for an involuntary behavioral health hospitalization nor is it a psychological or mental health assessment. A risk assessment assesses the risk of actionable violence, often with a focus on targeted/predatory escalations, and is supported by research from the fields of law enforcement, criminology, human resources and psychology.

  3b. Dismissal (mandatory and discretionary)
  These dismissal requirements are mandated by the 2020 Title IX Regulations, 34 CFR Part 106.45. The College must dismiss a formal complaint or any allegations therein if, at any time during the investigation or hearing, it is determined that:

  • The conduct alleged in the formal complaint would not constitute sexual harassment as defined above, even if proved
  • The conduct did not occur in an educational program or activity controlled by the Wake Technical Community College (including buildings or property controlled by recognized student organizations), and/or the College does not have control of the Respondent
  • The conduct did not occur against a person in the United States
  • At the time of filing a formal complaint, a Complainant is not participating in or attempting to participate in the education program or activity of the College

  The College may dismiss a formal complaint or any allegations therein if, at any time during the investigation or hearing:

  • A Complainant notifies the Title IX Coordinator in writing that the Complainant would like to withdraw the formal complaint or any allegations therein
  • The Respondent is no longer enrolled in or employed by the College
  • Specific circumstances prevent the College from gathering evidence sufficient to reach a determination as to the formal complaint or allegations therein

  A Complainant who decides to withdraw a complaint may later request to reinstate it or refile it.

  Upon any dismissal, the College will promptly send written notice of the dismissal and the rationale for doing so simultaneously to the parties.

  This dismissal decision is appealable by any party under the procedures for appeal below. The decision not to dismiss is also appealable by any party claiming that a dismissal is required or appropriate. A Complainant who decides to withdraw a complaint may later request to reinstate it or refile it.

  4. Counterclaims

  The College is obligated to ensure that the grievance process is not abused for retaliatory purposes. The College permits the filing of counterclaims but uses an initial assessment, described above, to assess whether the allegations in the counterclaim are made in good faith. Counterclaims by the Respondent may be made in good faith, but are, on occasion, also made for purposes of retaliation. Counterclaims made with retaliatory intent will not be permitted.

  Counterclaims by a Respondent may be made in good faith, but are, on occasion, made for purposes of retaliation, instead.  Counterclaims made with retaliatory intent will not be permitted.

  Counterclaims determined to have been reported in good faith will be processed using the grievance procedures below. Investigation of such claims may take place after resolution of the underlying initial allegation, in which case a delay may occur.

  Counterclaims may also be resolved through the same investigation as the underlying allegation, at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator. When counterclaims are not made in good faith, they will be considered retaliatory and may constitute a violation of this policy.

  5. Right to an Advisor

  The parties may each have an Advisor of their choice present with them for all meetings, interviews and hearings, within the resolution process, if they so choose. The parties may select whoever they wish to serve as their Advisor as long as the Advisor is eligible and available.

  Choosing an Advisor who is also a witness in the process creates potential for bias and conflict-of-interest. A party who chooses an Advisor who is also a witness can anticipate that issues of potential bias will be explored by the hearing Decision-maker(s).

  The College may permit parties to have more than one Advisor upon special request to the Title IX Coordinator. The decision to grant this request is at the sole discretion of the Title IX Coordinator and will be granted equitably to all parties.

  5a. Who Can Serve as an Advisor
  The Advisor may be a friend, mentor, family member, attorney or any other individual a party chooses to advise, support and/or consult with them throughout the resolution process. The parties may choose Advisors from inside or outside of the College community.

  The Title IX Coordinator will also offer to assign a trained Advisor to any party if the party so chooses. If the parties choose an Advisor from the pool available from the College, the Advisor will have trained by the College and be familiar with the College's resolution process.

  If the parties choose an Advisor from outside the pool of those identified by the College, the Advisor may not have been trained by the College and may not be familiar with College policies and procedures.

  Parties also have the right to choose not to have an Advisor in the initial stages of the resolution process, prior to a hearing.

  5b. Advisor's role in meetings and interviews
  The parties may be accompanied by their Advisor in all meetings and interviews at which the party is entitled to be present, including intake and interviews.  Advisors should help the parties prepare for each meeting and are expected to advise ethically, with integrity, and in good faith. The College cannot guarantee equal Advisory rights, meaning that if one party selects an Advisor who is an attorney, but the other party does not or cannot afford an attorney, the College is not obligated to provide an attorney. Where applicable under state law or College policy, Advisors or attorneys are permitted to fully represent their advisees or clients in resolution proceedings, including all meetings interviews, and hearings.  Although the College prefers to hear from parties directly, in these cases, parties are entitled to have evidence provided by the chosen representatives. 

  5c. Advisors in hearings/college-appointed advisor
  Under U.S. Department of Education regulations for Title IX, a form of indirect questioning is required during the hearing, but must be conducted by the parties' Advisors. The parties are not permitted to directly question each other or any witnesses. If a party does not have an Advisor for a hearing, the College will appoint a trained Advisor for the limited purpose of conducting any questioning of the other party(ies) and witness. 

  5d. Pre-Interview Meetings
  Advisors and their advisees may request to meet with the investigators conducting interviews/meetings in advance of these interviews or meetings. This pre-meeting allows Advisors to clarify and understand their role and College’s policies and procedures.

  5e. Advisor violations of the college's policy
  All Advisors are subject to the same College policies and procedures, whether they are attorneys or not, and whether they are selected by a party or assigned by the Recipient. Advisors are expected to advise their advisees without disrupting proceedings. Advisors should not address the College’s officials or investigators in a meeting or interview unless invited to do so (e.g., asking procedural questions). The Advisor may not make a presentation or represent their advisee during any meeting or proceeding and may not speak on behalf of the advisee to the Investigator(s) or other Decision-maker(s) except during a hearing proceeding, during questioning.
  The parties are expected to ask and respond to questions on their own behalf throughout the investigation phase of the resolution process. Although the Advisor generally may not speak on behalf of their advisee, the Advisor may consult with their advisee, either privately as needed, or by conferring or passing notes during any resolution process meeting or interview. For longer or more involved discussions, the parties and their Advisors should ask for breaks to allow for private consultation.
  Any Advisor who oversteps their role as defined by this Policy will be warned only once. If the Advisor continues to disrupt or otherwise fails to respect the limits of the Advisor role, the meeting/interview/hearing will be ended, or other appropriate measures implemented. Subsequently, the Title IX Coordinator will determine how to address the Advisor’s non-compliance and future role.

  5f. Sharing information with the advisor
  The College expects that the parties may wish to have the College share documentation and evidence related to the allegations with their Advisors. Parties may share this information directly with their Advisor or other individuals if they wish. Doing so may help the parties participate more meaningfully in the resolution process.
  The College also provides a consent form that authorizes the College to share such information directly with their Advisor. The parties must either complete and submit this form to the Title IX Coordinator or provide similar documentation demonstrating consent to a release of information to the Advisor before College is able to share records with an Advisor.
  If a party requests that all communication be made through their attorney or Advisor, the College will not comply with that request. The College will engage in communicate directly with a party's Advisor.

  5g. Privacy of records shared with advisor
  Advisors are expected to maintain the privacy of the records shared with them. These records may not be shared with third parties, disclosed publicly or used for purposes not explicitly authorized by the College. Advisors will be asked to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). The College may restrict the role of any Advisor who does not respect the sensitive nature of the process or who fails to abide by the College's privacy expectations.

  5h. Expectations of an advisor
  The College generally expects an Advisor to adjust their schedule to allow them to attend the College's meetings when planned, but the College may change scheduled meetings to accommodate an Advisor's inability to attend, if doing so does not cause an unreasonable delay.
  The College may also make reasonable provisions to allow an Advisor who cannot be present in person to attend a meeting by telephone, video conferencing, or other similar technologies as may be convenient and available.

  5i. Expectations of the parties with respect to advisors
  A party may elect to change Advisors during the process and is not obligated to use the same Advisor throughout. The parties are expected to inform the Investigator(s) of the identity of their Advisor at least three (3) business days before the date of their first meeting with Investigators (or as soon as possible if a more expeditious meeting is necessary or desired).
  The parties are expected to provide timely notice to the Title IX Coordinator if they change Advisors at any time. It is assumed that if a party changes Advisors, consent to share information with the previous Advisor is terminated, and a release for the new Advisor should be secured. Parties are expected to inform the Title IX Coordinator of the identity of their hearing Advisor at least three (3) business days before the hearing.

  5j. Assistance in securing an advisor
  Parties may choose their own Advisors. The College does not endorse any attorney or legal team.

  Resources for Complainants and Respondents

  • Legal Aid of North Carolina
    319 Chapanoke Road, Suite 104
    Raleigh, NC 27603
    1-866-219-LANC (5262)
  • Families Advocating for Campus Equality
  • SAVE: Assuring Fairness and Due Process in Schools
  • Victim Rights Law Center
  • National Women's Law Center

  6. Resolution Processes

  Resolution proceedings are private. All persons present at any time during the resolution process are expected to maintain the privacy of the proceedings in accordance with the College’s Policy. Although there is an expectation of privacy around what Investigators share with parties during interviews, the parties have discretion to share their own knowledge and evidence with others if they so choose, with the expectation of information the parties agree not to disclose related to Informal Resolution, discussed below. The College encourages parties to discuss with their Advisors any sharing of information before doing so.

  The Formal Grievance Process is the Recipient’s primary resolution approach, unless Informal Resolution is elected by all parties and the Recipient. Three options for Informal Resolution are detailed in this section, and the Formal Grievance Process is detailed starting in the next section.

  6a. Informal resolution
  Informal resolution can include three different approaches:

  • Supportive resolution: When the Title IX Coordinator can resolve the matter informally by providing supportive measures (only) to remedy the situation.
  • Alternative resolution: When the parties agree to resolve the matter through an alternate resolution mechanism s described below, including mediation, usually before a formal investigation takes place (see 6b)
  • Accepted responsibility: When the Respondent accepts responsibility for violating policy, and desires to accept a sanction and end the resolution process (similar to above, but usually occurs post-investigation) (see 6c)

  To initiate informal resolution, a Complainant must to submit a formal complaint, as defined above. A Respondent who wishes to initiate Informal Resolution, they should contact the Title IX Coordinator. The parties may agree as a condition of engaging in Informal Resolution that statements made or evidence shared during the Informal Resolution process will not be considered in the Formal Grievance Process unless all parties consent.

  It is not necessary to pursue Informal Resolution first in order to pursue a Formal Grievance Process, and any party participating in Informal Resolution can stop the process at any time and begin or resume the Formal Grievance Process.

  Prior to implementing Informal Resolution, the College will provide the parties with written notice of the reported misconduct and any sanctions or measures that may result from participating in such a process, including information regarding any records that will be maintained or shared by the College.

  The College will obtain voluntary, written confirmation that all parties wish to resolve the matter through Informal Resolution before proceeding and will not pressure the parties to participate in Informal Resolution.

  6b. Alternative resolution approaches
  Alternative resolution is an informal approach (including mediation, restorative practices, facilitated dialog, etc.) by which the parties reach a mutually agreed upon resolution of an allegation. All parties must consent to the use of alternative resolution approach.
  The Title IX Coordinator may look to the following factors to assess whether Alternative Resolution is appropriate, or which form of alternative resolution may be most successful for the parties:

  • The parties' amenability to alternative resolution
  • Likelihood of potential resolution, taking into account any power dynamics between the parties
  • The parties' motivation to participate
  • Civility of the parties
  • Results of a risk assessment/ongoing risk analysis
  • Disciplinary history
  • Whether an emergency removal is needed
  • Skill of the alternative resolution facilitator with this type of allegation
  • Complaint complexity
  • Emotional investment/capability of the parties
  • Rationality of the parties
  • Goals of the parties
  • Adequate resources to invest in Alternative Resolution (time, staff, etc.)

  The ultimate determination of whether alternative resolution is available or successful is to be made by the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator is authorized to negotiate a resolution that is acceptable to all parties, and/or to accept a resolution that is proposed by the parties, usually through their Advisors. The Title IX Coordinator maintains records of any resolution that is reached, and failure to abide by the resolution agreement may result in appropriate responsive/disciplinary actions. Results of complaints resolved by Informal Resolution or Alternative Resolution are not appealable.

  6c. Respondent accepts responsibility for alleged violations
  The Respondent may accept responsibility for all or part of the alleged policy violations at any point during the resolution process. If the Respondent indicates an intent to accept responsibility for all of the alleged misconduct, the formal process will be paused, and the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether Informal Resolution can be used according to the criteria in that section above.
  If informal resolution is applicable, the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether all parties and the College are able to agree on responsibility, sanctions, and/or remedies. If so, the Title IX Coordinator implements the accepted finding that the Respondent is in violation of the College's Policy and implements agreed-upon sanctions and/or remedies, in coordination with other appropriate administrator(s), as necessary.
  This result is not subject to appeal once all parties indicate their written assent to all agreed upon terms of resolution. When the parties cannot agree on all terms of resolution, the Formal Grievance Process will resume at the same point where it was paused.
  When a resolution is accomplished, the appropriate sanction or responsive actions are promptly implemented in order to effectively stop the harassment or discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and remedy the effects of the discriminatory conduct, both on the Complainant and the community.

  6d. Negotiated resolution
  The Title IX Coordinator, with the consent of the parties, may negotiate and implement an agreement to resolve the allegations that satisfies all parties and the College. Negotiated Resolutions are not appealable.

  7. Grievance process pool

  The Formal Grievance Process relies on a pool of administrators (“the Pool”) to carry out the process. This pool is comprised of the College’s Title IX Investigators and Deputy Coordinators. Other pool members may be included as deemed appropriate by the Title IX Coordinator.  Members of the Pool are announced in an annual distribution of this Policy to all students, parents/guardians of students, employees, prospective students, and prospective employees.

  7a. Pool member roles
  Members of the Pool are trained annually, and can serve in in the following roles, at the direction of the Title IX Coordinator:

  • To provide appropriate intake of and initial guidance pertaining to complaints
  • To act as an Advisor to the parties
  • To serve in a facilitation role in Informal Resolution or Alternate Resolution, if appropriately trained in appropriate resolution modalities
  • To perform or assist with initial assessment
  • To investigate complaints
  • To serve as a hearing facilitator (process administrator, no decision-making role)
  • To serve as a Decision-maker regarding the complaint
  • To serve as an Appeal Decision-maker

  7b. Pool member appointment and membership
  The Title IX Coordinator appoints the Pool, which acts with independence and impartiality. This Pool may undergo an application and/or interview/selection process. Although members of the Pool are typically trained in a variety of skill sets and can rotate amongst the different roles listed above in different cases, the College can also designate permanent roles for individuals in the Pool, using others as substitutes or to provide greater depth of experience when necessary. This process of role assignment may be the result of particular skills, aptitudes, or talents identified in members of the Pool that make them best suited to particular roles.
  Pool members are usually appointed to semester-to-semester basis. Individuals who are interested in serving in the Pool are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator.

  7c. Pool member training
  The Pool members receive annual training. This training includes, but is not limited to:

  • The scope of the College's Title IX Policy and Procedures
  • How to conduct investigations and hearings that protect the safety of Complainants and Respondents, and promote accountability
  • Implicit bias
  • Disparate treatment and impact
  • Reporting, confidentiality and privacy requirements
  • Applicable laws, regulations and federal regulatory guidance
  • How to implement appropriate and situation-specific remedies
  • How to investigate in a thorough, reliable, timely and impartial manner by individuals who receive annual training in conducting investigations of sexual harassment, trauma-informed practices, and impartiality
  • How to uphold fairness, equity and due process
  • How to weigh evidence
  • How to conduct questioning
  • How to assess credibility
  • Impartiality and objectivity
  • How to render findings and generate clear, concise, evidence-based rationales
  • The definitions of all offenses
  • How to apply definitions used by the College with respect to consent (or the absence or negation of consent) consistently, impartially and in accordance with policy
  • How to conduct an investigation and grievance process including hearings, appeals and informal resolution processes
  • How to serve impartially by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest and bias
  • Any technology to be used at a live hearing
  • Issues of relevance of questions and evidence
  • Issues of relevance to create an investigation report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence
  • How to determine appropriate sanctions in reference to all forms of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation allegations
  • Recordkeeping

  Specific training is also provided for all Pool members. All Pool members are required to attend these trainings annually.

  7d. Pool membership
  A typical Pool may includes the following:

  • Four or more chairs: one representative from HR and one from Student Affairs, etc., who respectively chair hearings for allegations involving student and employee Respondents
  • Three or more members of the Academic Affairs administration and/or faculty
  • Three or more members of the administration/staff
  • One1 representative from Campus Safety
  • Two representatives from Human Resources
  • One representative from Athletics

  Pool members are usually appointed to annual terms. Individuals who are interested in serving in the Pool are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator.

  8. Formal grievance process: Notice of Investigation and Allegations

  The Title IX Coordinator will provide written notice of the investigation and allegations (the “NOIA”) to the Respondent upon commencement of the Formal Grievance Process. This facilitates the Respondent’s ability to prepare for the interview and to identify and choose an Advisor to accompany them. The NOIA is also copied to the Complainant, who will be given advance notice of when the NOIA will be delivered to the Respondent.

  The NOIA will include:

  • A meaningful summary of all of allegations
  • The identity of the involved parties (if known)
  • The precise misconduct being alleged
  • The date and location of the alleged incident(s) (if known)
  • The specific policies implicated
  • A description of the applicable procedures
  • A statement of the potential sanctions/responsive actions that could result
  • A statement that the College presumes the Respondent is not responsible for the reported misconduct unless and until the evidence supports a different determination
  • A statement that determinations of responsibility are made at the conclusion of the process and that the parties will be given an opportunity to inspect and review all directly related and/or relevant evidence obtained during the review and comment period
  • A statement about the College's Policy on retaliation
  • Information about the confidentiality of the process
  • Information on the need for each party to have an Advisor of their choosing and suggestions for ways to identify an Advisor
  • A statement informing the parties that the College's Policy prohibits knowingly making false statements, including knowingly submitting false information during the resolution process
  • Detail on how the party may request disability accommodations during the interview process
  • The College's VAWA information
  • The name(s) of the Investigator(s), along with a process to identify, in advance of the interview process to the Title IX Coordinator, any conflict of interest that the Investigator(s) may have
  • An instruction to preserve any evidence that is directly related to the allegations

  Amendments and updates to the NOIA may be made as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available regarding the addition or dismissal of various charges.

  Notice will be made in writing and may be delivered by one or more of the following methods: in person, mailed to the local or permanent address(es) of the parties as indicated in official College records, or emailed to the parties’ college-issued email or designated accounts. Once mailed, emailed, and/or received in-person, notice will be presumptively delivered.

  9. Resolution timeline

  The College will make a good faith effort to complete the resolution process within a 60 to 90 business day time period, including appeal if any, which can be extended as necessary for appropriate cause by the Title IX Coordinator, who will provide notice and rationale for any extensions or delays to the parties as appropriate, as well as an estimate of how much additional time will be needed to complete the process.

  10. Appointment of Investigators

  Once the decision to commence a formal investigation is made, the Title IX Coordinator appoints Pool members to conduct the investigation (typically using a team of two Investigators), usually within three (3) business days of determining that an investigation should proceed.

  11. Ensuring impartiality

  Any individual materially involved in the administration of the resolution process including the Title IX Coordinator, Investigator(s), and Decision-maker(s) may neither have nor demonstrate a conflict of interest or bias for a party generally, or for a specific Complainant or Respondent.

  The Title IX Coordinator will vet the assigned Investigator(s) for impartiality by ensuring there are no actual or apparent conflicts of interest or disqualifying biases. At any time during the resolution process, the parties may raise a concern regarding bias or conflict of interest, and the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether the concern is reasonable and supportable. If so, another Pool member will be assigned and the impact of the bias or conflict, if any, will be remedied. If the source of the conflict of interest or bias is the Title IX Coordinator, concerns should be raised with Benita Clark, the Vice President, Human Resources and College Safety.

  The Formal Grievance Process involves an objective evaluation of all relevant evidence obtained, including evidence that supports that the Respondent engaged in a policy violation and evidence that supports that the Respondent did not engage in a policy violation. Credibility determinations may not be based solely on an individual’s status or participation as a Complainant, Respondent, or witness.

  The College operates with the presumption that the Respondent is not responsible for the reported misconduct unless and until the Respondent is determined to be responsible for a policy violation by the applicable standard of proof.

  12. Investigation timeline

  Investigations are completed expeditiously, normally within thirty (30) business days, though some investigations may take weeks or even months, depending on the nature, extent, and complexity of the allegations, availability of witnesses, police involvement, etc.

  The College will make a good faith effort to complete investigations as promptly as circumstances permit and will communicate regularly with the parties to update them on the progress and timing of the investigation.

  13. Delays in the investigation process and interactions with law enforcement

  The College may undertake a short delay in its investigation (several days to a few weeks) if circumstances require. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to: a request from law enforcement to temporarily delay the investigation, the need for language assistance, the absence of parties and/or witnesses, and/or accommodations for disabilities or health conditions.

  The College will communicate in writing the anticipated duration of the delay and reason to the parties and provide the parties with status updates if necessary. The College will promptly resume its investigation and resolution process as soon as feasible. During such a delay, the College will implement supportive measures as deemed appropriate.

  The College's action(s) or processes are not typically altered or precluded on the grounds that civil or criminal charges involving the underlying incident(s) have been filed or that criminal charges have been dismissed or reduced.

  14. Steps in the investigation process

  All investigations are thorough, reliable, impartial, prompt and fair. Investigations involve interviews with all relevant parties and witnesses; obtaining available, relevant evidence; and identifying sources of expert information, as necessary.

  All parties have a full and fair opportunity, through the investigation process, to suggest witnesses and questions, to provide evidence and expert witnesses and to fully review and respond to all evidence on the record. Recordings of interviews are/are not provided to the parties, and/but the parties will have the ability to review the transcript/summary of the interview once the investigation report is compiled.

  The Investigator(s) typically take(s) the following steps, if not already completed (not necessarily in this order):

  • Determine the identity and contact information of the Complainant
  • In coordination with campus partners (e.g., the Title IX Coordinator), initiate or assist with any necessary supportive measures
  • Identify all policies implicated by the alleged misconduct and notify the Complainant  and Respondent of all of the specific policies implicated
  • Assist the Title IX Coordinator, if needed, with conducting a prompt initial assessment to determine if the allegations indicate a potential policy violation
  • Commence a thorough, reliable, and impartial investigation by identifying issues and developing a strategic investigation plan, including a witness list, evidence list, intended investigation timeframe, and order of interviews for all witnesses and the parties
  • Meet with the Complainant to finalize their interview/statement, if necessary
  • Work with the Title IX Coordinator, as necessary, to prepare the initial Notice of Investigation and Allegation (NOIA). The NOIA may be amended with any additional or dismissed allegations. The notice should inform the parties of their right to have the assistance of an Advisor, who could be a member of the Pool or an Advisor of their choosing present for all meetings attended by the party
  • Provide each interviewed party and witness an opportunity to review and verify the Investigator's summary notes (or transcript) of the relevant evidence/testimony from their respective interviews and meetings
  • Make good faith efforts to notify the parties of any meeting or interview involving the other party, in advance when possible
  • When participation of a party is expected, provide that party with written notice of the date, time, and location of the meeting, as well as the expected participants and purpose
  • Interview all available, relevant witnesses and conduct follow-up interviews as necessary
  • Allow each party the opportunity to suggest witnesses and questions they wish the Investigator(s) to ask of the other party and witnesses and document in the report which questions were asked, with a rationale for any changes or omissions.
  • Complete the investigation promptly and without unreasonable deviation from the intended timeline
  • Provide regular status updates to the parties throughout the investigation.
  • Prior to the conclusion of the investigation, provide the parties and their respective Advisors (if so desired by the parties) with a list of witnesses whose information will be used to render a finding
  • Write a comprehensive investigation report fully summarizing the investigation, all witness interviews, and addressing all relevant evidence. Appendices including relevant physical or documentary evidence will be included
  • The Investigator(s) gather, assess and synthesize evidence, but make no conclusions, engage in no policy analysis and render no recommendations as part of their report.
  • Prior to the conclusion of the investigation, provide the parties and their respective Advisors (if so desired by the parties) a secured electronic or hard copy of the draft investigation report as well as an opportunity to inspect and review all of the evidence obtained as part of the investigation that is directly related to the reported misconduct, including evidence upon which the College does not intend to rely in reaching a determination, for a 10 business day review and comment period so that each party may meaningfully respond to the evidence. The parties may elect to waive the full ten days. Each copy of the materials shared will be watermarked on each page with the role of the person receiving it (e.g., Complainant, Respondent, Complainant’s Advisor, Respondent’s Advisor).
  • The Investigator(s) may elect to respond in writing in the investigation report to the parties’ submitted responses and/or to share the responses between the parties for additional responses
  • The Investigator(s) will incorporate relevant elements of the parties' written responses into the final investigation report, include any additional relevant evidence, make any necessary revisions, and finalize the report. The Investigator(s) should document all rationales for any changes made after the review and comment period
  • The Investigator(s) shares the report with the Title IX Coordinator and/or legal counsel for their review and feedback.
  • The Investigator will incorporate any relevant feedback, and the final report is then shared with all parties and their Advisors through secure electronic transmission or hard copy at least 10 business days prior to a hearing. The parties are also provided with a file of any directly related evidence that was not included in the report

  15. Role and participation of witnesses in the investigation

  Witnesses (as distinguished from the parties) who are employees of the College are strongly encouraged to cooperate with and participate in the College's investigation and resolution process. Student witnesses and witnesses from outside the College community are encouraged to cooperate with College investigations and to share what they know about a compliant

  Although in-person interviews for parties and all potential witnesses are ideal, circumstances (e.g., study abroad, summer break) may require individuals to be interviewed remotely. Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, Webex or similar technologies may be used for interviews, if the Investigator(s) determine that timeliness, efficiency or other reasons dictate a need for remote interviewing. The College will take appropriate steps to reasonably ensure the security/privacy of remote interviews.

  Witnesses may also provide written statements in lieu of interviews or choose to respond to written questions, if deemed appropriate by the Investigator(s), though not preferred. If a witness submits a written statement, but does not intend to be and is not present for questioning at a hearing, their written statement may not be used as evidence.

  16. Recording of interviews

  No unauthorized audio or video recording of any kind is permitted during investigation meetings. If Investigator(s) elect to audio and/or video record interviews, all involved parties should be made aware of audio and/or video recording.

  17. Evidentiary considerations in the investigation

  The investigation does not consider: 1) incidents not directly related to the possible violation, unless they evidence a pattern; or 2) the character of the parties; or 3) questions and evidence about the Complainant's prior sexual behavior, unless such questions and evidence about the Complainant's prior sexual behavior are offered to prove that someone other than the Respondent committed the conduct alleged by the Complainant, or if the questions and evidence concern specific incidents of the Complainant's prior sexual behavior with respect to the Respondent and are offered to prove consent.

  18. Referral for hearing

  Provided that the complaint is not resolved through Informal Resolution, once the final investigation report is shared with the parties, the Title IX Coordinator will refer the matter for a hearing.

  The hearing cannot be held less than 10 business days from the conclusion of the investigation – when the final investigation report is transmitted to the parties and the Decision-maker – unless all parties and the Decision-maker agree to an expedited timeline.

  The Title IX Coordinator will select an appropriate Decision-maker from the Pool depending on whether the Respondent is an employee or a student, and provide a copy of the investigation report. Allegations involving student-employees in the context of their employment will be directed to the appropriate Decision-maker depending  the context and nature of the alleged misconduct.

  19. Hearing decision-maker composition

  The College will designate a three-member panel from the Pool, at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator. The single decision-maker will also Chair the hearing. With a panel, one of the three members will be appointed as Chair by the Title IX Coordinator.

  The decision-maker(s) will not have had any previous involvement with the investigation. The Title IX Coordinator may elect to have an alternate from the Pool sit in throughout the hearing process in the event that a substitute is needed for any reason.

  Those who have served as Investigators will be witnesses in the hearing and therefore may not serve as decision-makers. Those who are serving as Advisors for any party may not serve as decision-makers in that matter.

  The Title IX Coordinator may not serve as a Decision-maker or Chair in the matter but may serve as an administrative facilitator of the hearing if their previous role(s) in the matter do not create a conflict of interest. Otherwise, a designee may fulfill this facilitator role. The hearing will convene at a time and venue determined by the Chair or designee.

  20. Evidentiary considerations in the hearing

  Any evidence that the decision-maker(s) determine(s) is relevant and credible may be considered. The hearing does not consider: 1) incidents not directly related to the possible violation, unless they evidence a pattern; 2) questions and evidence about the Complainant's sexual predisposition; or 3) questions and evidence about the Complainant’s prior sexual behavior, unless such questions and evidence about the Complainant’s prior sexual behavior are offered to prove that someone other than the Respondent committed the conduct alleged by the Complainant, or if the questions and evidence concern specific incidents of the Complainant's prior sexual behavior with respect to the Respondent and are offered to prove consent.

  Previous disciplinary action of any kind involving the Respondent may be considered in determining an appropriate sanction upon a determination of responsibility, assuming the College uses a progressive discipline system. This information is only considered at the sanction stage of the process and is not shared until then.

  The parties may each submit a written impact statement prior to the hearing for the consideration of the Decision-maker(s) at the sanction stage of the process when a determination of responsibility is reached.

  After post-hearing deliberation, the decision-maker(s) render(s) a determination based on the preponderance of the evidence; whether it is more likely than not that the Respondent violated the Policy as alleged.

  21. Notice of hearing

  No less than 10 business days prior to the hearing, the Title IX Coordinator or the Chair will send notice of the hearing to the parties. Once mailed, emailed, and/or received in-person, notice will be presumptively delivered.

  The notice will contain the following information:

  • A description of the alleged violation(s), a list of all policies allegedly violated, a description of the applicable hearing procedures and a statement of the potential sanctions/responsive actions that could result
  • The time, date and location of the hearing
  • Description of any technology that will used to facilitate the hearing. Information about the option for the live hearing to occur with the parties located in separate rooms using technology that enables the decision-maker(s) and parties to see and hear a party or witness answering questions. Such a request must be raised with the Title IX Coordinator at least five business days prior to the hearing.
  • A list of all those who will attend the hearing, along with an invitation to object to any decision-maker(s) on the basis of demonstrated bias or conflict of interest. This must be raised with the Title IX Coordinator at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
  • Information on how the hearing will be recorded and on access to the recording for the parties after the hearing.
  • A statement that if any party or witness does not appear at the scheduled hearing, the hearing may be held in their absence, and the party's or witness' testimony and any statements given prior to the hearing will not be considered by the Decision-maker(s). For compelling reasons, the Chair may reschedule the hearing.
  • Notification that the parties may have the assistance of an Advisor of their choosing at the hearing and will be required to have one present for any questions they may desire to ask. The party must notify the Title IX Coordinator if they do not have an Advisor, and the College will appoint one. Each party must have an Advisor present. There are no exceptions.
  • A copy of all the materials provided to the Decision-maker(s) about the matter, unless they have been provided already.
  • An invitation to each party to submit to the Chair an impact statement pre-hearing that the decision-maker(s) will review during any sanction determination.
  • An invitation to contact the Title IX Coordinator to arrange any disability accommodations, language assistance, and/or interpretation services that may be needed at the hearing, at least seven (7) business days prior to the hearing.
  • Notification that parties cannot bring mobile phones/devices into the hearing.

  Hearings for possible violations that occur near or after the end of an academic term (assuming the Respondent is still subject to this Policy) and are unable to be resolved prior to the end of term will typically be held immediately after the end of the term or during the summer, as needed, to meet the resolution timeline followed by the College and remain within the 60-90 business day goal for resolution.

  In these cases, if the Respondent is a graduating student, a hold may be placed on graduation and/or official transcripts until the matter is fully resolved (including any appeal). A student facing charges under this Policy is not in good standing to graduate.

  22. Alternative hearing participation options

  If a party or parties prefer not to attend or cannot attend the hearing in person, the party should request alternative arrangements from the Title IX Coordinator or the Chair at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing.

  The Title IX Coordinator or the Chair can arrange to use technology to allow remote testimony without compromising the fairness of the hearing. Remote options may also be needed for witnesses who cannot appear in person. Any witness who cannot attend in person should let the Title IX Coordinator or the Chair know at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

  23. Pre-hearing preparation

  After any necessary consultation with the parties, the Chair will provide the names of persons who will be participating in the hearing, all pertinent documentary evidence, and the final investigation report to the parties at least seven (7) business days prior to the hearing.

  Any witness scheduled to participate in the hearing must have been first interviewed by the Investigator(s) or have proffered a written statement or answered written questions, unless all parties and the Chair assent to the witness’s participation in the hearing. The same holds for any evidence that is first offered at the hearing. If the parties and Chair do not assent to the admission of evidence newly offered at the hearing, the Chair may delay the hearing and/or instruct that the investigation needs to be re-opened to consider that evidence.

  The parties will be given a list of the names of the Decision-maker(s) at least five (5) business days in advance of the hearing. All objections to any Decision-maker must be raised in writing, detailing the rationale for the objection, and must be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible and no later than two days prior to the hearing. Decision-makers will only be removed if the Title IX Coordinator concludes that their bias or conflict of interest precludes an impartial hearing of the allegation(s).

  The Title IX Coordinator will give the decision-maker(s) a list of the names of all parties, witnesses, and Advisors at least three (3) business days in advance of the hearing. Any Decision-maker who cannot make an objective determination must recuse themselves from the proceedings when notified of the identity of the parties, witnesses, and Advisors in advance of the hearing. If a decision-maker is unsure of whether a bias or conflict of interest exists, they must raise the concern to the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible.

  During the 10-business-day period prior to the hearing, the parties have the opportunity for continued review and comment on the final investigation report and available evidence. That review and comment can be shared with the Chair at a pre-hearing meeting or at the hearing and will be exchanged between each party by the Chair.

  24. Pre-hearing meetings

  The Chair may convene a pre-hearing meeting(s) with the parties and/or their Advisors and invite them to submit the questions or topics they (the parties and/or their Advisors) wish to ask or discuss at the hearing, so that the Chair can rule on their relevance ahead of time to avoid any improper evidentiary introduction in the hearing to provide recommendations for more appropriate phrasing.

  However, this advance review opportunity does not preclude the Advisors from asking a question for the first time at the hearing or from asking for a reconsideration on a pre-hearing ruling by the Chair based on any new information or testimony offered at the hearing. The Chair must document and share with each party their rationale for any exclusion or inclusion at a pre-hearing meeting.

  The Chair, only with full agreement of the parties, may decide in advance of the hearing that certain witnesses do not need to be present if their testimony can be adequately summarized by the Investigator(s) in the investigation report or during the hearing.

  At each pre-hearing meeting with a party and their Advisor, the Chair will consider arguments that evidence identified in the final investigation report as relevant is, in fact, not relevant. Similarly, evidence identified as directly related but not relevant by the Investigator(s) may be argued to be relevant. The Chair may rule on these arguments pre-hearing and will exchange those rulings between the parties prior to the hearing to assist in preparation for the hearing. The Chair may consult with legal counsel and/or the Title IX Coordinator or ask either or both to attend pre-hearing meetings.

  The pre-hearing meeting(s) will not be recorded. The pre-hearing meetings may be conducted as separate meetings with each party/advisor, with all parties/advisors present at the same time, remotely, or as a paper-only exchange. The Chair will work with the parties to establish the format.

  25. Hearing procedures

  At the hearing, the decision-maker(s) has the authority to hear and make determinations on all allegations of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation and may also hear and make determinations on any additional alleged policy violations that have occurred in concert with the discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation, even though those collateral allegations may not specifically fall within the policy on Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination.

  Participants at the hearing will include the Chair, any additional panelists, the hearing facilitator, the Investigator(s) who conducted the investigation, and the parties (or three (3) organizational representatives when an organization is the Respondent). Advisors to the parties, any called witnesses, the Title IX Coordinator and anyone providing authorized accommodations, interpretation, and/or assistive services.

  The Chair will answer all questions of procedure. Anyone appearing at the hearing to provide information will respond to questions on their own behalf.

  The Chair will allow witnesses who have relevant information to appear at a portion of the hearing in order to respond to specific questions from the Decision-maker(s) and the parties and the witnesses will then be excused.

  26. Joint hearings

  In hearings involving more than one Respondent or in which two (2) or more Complainants have accused the same individual of substantially similar conduct, the default procedure will be to hear the allegations jointly.

  However, the Title IX Coordinator may permit the investigation and/or hearings pertinent to each Respondent to be conducted separately if there is a compelling reason to do so. In joint hearings, separate determinations of responsibility will be made for each Respondent with respect to each alleged policy violation.

  27. Order of the hearing – Introductions and explanation of procedure

  The Chair explains the procedures and introduces the participants. This may include a final opportunity for challenge or recusal of the Decision-maker(s) on the basis of bias or conflict of interest. The Chair will rule on any such challenge unless the Chair is the individual who is the subject of the challenge, in which case the Title IX Coordinator will review and decide the challenge.

  The Chair and/or hearing facilitator then conducts the hearing according to the hearing script. At the hearing, recording, witness logistics, party logistics, curation of documents, separation of the parties, and other administrative elements of the hearing process are managed by a non-voting hearing facilitator/case manager appointed by the Title IX Coordinator. The hearing facilitator may attend to: logistics of rooms for various parties/witnesses as they wait; flow of parties/witnesses in and out of the hearing space; ensuring recording and/or virtual conferencing technology is working as intended; copying and distributing materials to participants, as appropriate, etc. 

  28. Investigator presents final investigation report

  The Investigator(s) will then present a summary of the final investigation report, including items that are contested and those that are not, and will be subject to questioning by the decision-maker(s) and the parties (through their Advisors). The Investigator(s) will be present during the entire hearing process, but not during deliberations.

  Neither the parties nor the decision-maker(s) should ask the Investigator(s) their opinions on credibility, recommended findings, or determinations, and the Investigators, Advisors, and parties will refrain from discussion of or questions for Investigators about these assessments. If such information is introduced, the Chair will direct that it be disregarded.

  29. Testimony and questioning

  Once the Investigator(s) present(s) the report and are questioned, the parties and witnesses may provide relevant information in turn, beginning with the Complainant, and then in the order determined by the Chair. The hearing will facilitate questioning parties and witnesses will submit to questioning by the Decision-maker(s) and then by the parties through their Advisors.

  All questions are subject to a relevance determination by the Chair. The Advisor, who will remain seated during questioning, will pose the proposed question orally, electronically, or in writing (orally is the default, but other means of submission may be permitted by the Chair upon request if agreed to by all parties and the Chair), the proceeding will pause to allow the Chair to consider the question, (and state it if it has not already been stated aloud) and the Chair will determine whether the question will be permitted, disallowed, or rephrased.

  The Chair may invite explanations or persuasive statements explore arguments regarding relevance with the Advisors, if the Chair so chooses. The Chair will then state their decision on the question for the record and advise the party/witness to whom the question was directed, accordingly. The Chair will explain any decision to exclude a question as not relevant, or to reframe it for relevance.

  The Chair will limit or disallow questions on the basis that they are irrelevant, unduly repetitious (and thus irrelevant), or abusive. The Chair has final say on all questions and determinations of relevance. The Chair may consult with legal counsel on any questions of admissibility. The Chair may ask Advisors to frame why a question is or is not relevant from their perspective but will not entertain argument from the Advisors on relevance once the Chair has ruled on a question.

  If the parties raise an issue of bias or conflict of interest of an Investigator or decision-maker at the hearing, the Chair may elect to address those issues, consult with legal counsel, and/or refer them to the Title IX Coordinator, and/or preserve them for appeal. If bias is not in issue at the hearing, the Chair should not permit irrelevant questions that probe for bias.

  30. Refusal to submit to questioning; Inferences

  Cross-examination is an all or nothing proposition, meaning that if any relevant question is refused, no statements of that party or witness are admissible. Only if a party or witness is willing to submit to cross-examination, and answers all questions, will their statements prior to or at the hearing be fully admissible. If a party or witness chooses not to submit to cross-examination at the hearing, either because they do not attend the meeting, or they attend but refuse to participate in questioning, then the decision-maker(s) may not rely on any prior statement made by that party or witness at the hearing (including those contained in the investigation report) in the ultimate determination of responsibility. The decision-maker(s) must disregard all such statements. Evidence provided that is something other than a statement by the party or witness may be considered.

  Whether a party or witness does or does not answer questions from the Decision-maker, their statements will be admissible as long as they are willing to submit to cross-examination questions, even if they are not asked such questions. The Decision-maker(s) may not draw any inference solely from a party's or witness' absence from the hearing or refusal to answer cross-examination or other questions.

  If collateral charges of policy violations other than sexual harassment are considered at the same hearing, the Decision-maker(s) may consider all evidence it deems relevant, may rely on any relevant statement as long as the opportunity for questioning is afforded to all parties through their Advisors, and may draw reasonable inferences from any decision by any party or witness not to participate or respond to questions. If a party's Advisor of choice refuses to comply with the Recipient's established rules of decorum for the hearing, the Recipient may require the party to use a different Advisor. If a recipient-provided Advisor refuses to comply with the rules of decorum, the Recipient may provide that party with a different Advisor to conduct questioning on behalf of that party.

  An Advisor may not be called as a witness at a hearing to testify to what their advisee has told them during their role as an Advisor unless the party being advised consents to that information being shared.  It is otherwise considered off-limits, and an Advisor who is an institutional employee is temporary alleviated from mandated reporter responsibilities related to their interaction with their advisee during the resolution process. 

  31. Recording hearings

  Hearings (but not deliberations) are recorded by the College for purposes of review in the event of an appeal. The parties may not record the proceedings and no other unauthorized recordings are permitted.

  The decision-maker(s), the parties, their Advisors, and appropriate administrators of the College will be permitted to listen to the recording or review a transcript of the recording, in a controlled environment determined by the Title IX Coordinator, upon request. No person will be given or be allowed to make a copy of the recording without permission of the Title IX Coordinator.

  32. Deliberation, decision-making and standard of proof

  The decision-maker(s) will deliberate in closed session to determine whether the Respondent is responsible or not responsible for the policy violation(s) in question. If a panel is used, a simple majority vote is required to determine the finding. The preponderance of the evidence standard of proof is used. The hearing facilitator may be invited to attend the deliberation by the Chair, but is there only to facilitate procedurally, not to address the substance of the allegations.

  When there is a finding of responsibility on one or more of the allegations, the Decision-maker(s) may then consider the previously submitted party impact statements in determining appropriate sanction(s).

  The Chair will ensure that each of the parties has an opportunity to review any impact statement submitted by the other party(ies). The decision-maker(s) may – at their discretion – consider the statements, but they are not binding.

  The decision-maker(s) will review the statements and any pertinent conduct history provided by the Office of Student Conduct will recommend the appropriate sanction(s) in consultation with other appropriate administrators, as required.

  The Chair will then prepare a written deliberation statement and deliver it to the Title IX Coordinator, detailing the determination, rationale, the evidence used in support of its determination, the evidence not relied upon in its determination, credibility assessments, and any sanctions or recommendations.

  This report is typically three (3) to five (5) pages in length and must be submitted to the Title IX Coordinator within three (3) business days of the end of deliberations, unless the Title IX Coordinator grants an extension. If an extension is granted, the Title IX Coordinator will notify the parties.

  33. Notice of outcome

  Using the deliberation statement, the Title IX Coordinator will work with the Chair to prepare a Notice of Outcome. The Notice of Outcome will then be reviewed by legal counsel, as appropriate. The Title IX Coordinator will then share the outcome letter, including the final determination, rationale, and any applicable sanction(s) with the parties and their Advisors within seven (7) business days of receiving the Decision-maker(s)’ deliberation statement.

  The Notice of Outcome will then be shared with the parties simultaneously. Notification will be made in writing and may be delivered by one or more of the following methods: in person, mailed to the local or permanent address of the parties as indicated in official College records, or emailed to the parties’ college-issued email or otherwise approved account. Once mailed, emailed, and/or received in-person, notice will be presumptively delivered.

  The Notice of Outcome will articulate the specific policy(ies) reported to have been violated, including the relevant policy section, and will contain a description of the procedural steps taken by the College from the receipt of the misconduct report to the determination, including any and all notifications to the parties, interviews with parties and witnesses, site visits, methods used to obtain evidence, and hearings held.

  The Notice of Outcome will specify the finding on each alleged policy violation; the findings of fact that support the determination; conclusions regarding the application of the relevant policy to the facts at issue; a statement of, and rationale for, the result of each allegation to the extent the College is permitted to share such information under state or federal law; any sanctions issued which the College is permitted to share according to state or federal law; and whether remedies will be provided to the Complainant designed to ensure access to the College’s educational or employment program or activity. 

  The Notice of Outcome will also include information on when the results are considered by the College to be final, any changes that occur prior to finalization, and the relevant procedures and bases for any available appeal options.

  34. Statement of the rights of the parties

  View Appendix C for the full statement.

  35. Sanctions

  Factors considered when determining a sanction/responsive action may include, but are not limited to:

  • The nature, severity of and circumstances surrounding the violation(s)
  • The Respondent's disciplinary history
  • Previous allegations or allegations involving similar conduct
  • The need for sanctions/responsive actions to bring an end to the discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation
  • The need for sanctions/responsive actions to prevent the future recurrence of discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation
  • The need to remedy the effects of the discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation on the Complainant and the community
  • The impact on the parties
  • Any other information deemed relevant by the decision-maker(s)

  The sanctions will be implemented as soon as is feasible, either upon the outcome of any appeal or the expiration of the window to appeal without an appeal being requested.

  The sanctions described in this Policy are not exclusive of, and may be in addition to, other actions taken or sanctions imposed by external authorities.

  35a. Examples of student sanctions
  The following are sanctions that may be imposed upon students or organizations singly or in combination:

  • Warning: A formal statement that the conduct was unacceptable and a warning that further violation of any Wake Technical Community College policy, procedure or directive will result in more severe sanctions/responsive actions
  • Required counseling: A mandate to meet with and engage in either college-sponsored or external counseling to better comprehend the misconduct and its effects
  • Probation: A written reprimand for violation of institutional policy, providing for more severe disciplinary sanctions in the event that the student or organization is found in violation of any institutional policy, procedure or directive within a specified period of time. Terms of the probation will be articulated and may include denial of specified social privileges, exclusion from co-curricular activities, exclusion from designated areas of campus, no-contact orders and/or other measures deemed appropriate.
  • Suspension: Termination of student status for a definite period of time not to exceed two years and/or until specific criteria are met. Students who return from suspension are automatically placed on probation through the remainder of their tenure as a student at Wake Technical Community College.
  • Expulsion: Permanent termination of student status and revocation of rights to be on campus for any reason or to attend College-sponsored events. This sanction will be noted permanently as a Conduct Expulsion on the student's official transcript, subject to any applicable expungement policies.
  • Withholding diploma: The College may withhold a student's diploma for a specified period of time and/or deny a student participation in commencement activities if the student has an allegation pending or as a sanction if the student is found responsible for an alleged violation.
  • Revocation of degree: The College reserves the right to revoke a degree previously awarded from the College for fraud, misrepresentation and/or other violation of the College's policies, procedures or directives in obtaining the degree or for other serious violations committed by a student prior to graduation.
  • Organizational sanctions: Deactivation, loss of recognition, loss of some or all privileges (including College's registration) for a specified period of time.
  • Other actions: In addition to or in place of the above sanctions, the College may assign any other sanctions as deemed appropriate.

  35b. Employee sanctions and responsive/corrective actions
  Responsive actions for an employee who has engaged in sex/gender-based harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation include the following:

  • Warning – verbal or written
  • Performance Improvement Plan/management process
  • Enhanced supervision, observation or review
  • Required counseling
  • Required training or education
  • Probation
  • Denial of pay increase/pay grade
  • Loss of oversight or supervisory responsibility
  • Demotion
  • Transfer
  • Reassignment
  • Delay of faculty rank progression
  • Assignment to supervisor
  • Restriction of stipends, research and/or professional development resources
  • Suspension with pay
  • Suspension without pay
  • Termination
  • Other actions: In addition to or in place of the above sanctions/responsive actions, the College may assign any other responsive action as deemed appropriate.

  36. Withdrawal or resignation while charges pending

  Students: Should a Respondent decide not to participate in the resolution process, the process proceeds absent their participation to a reasonable resolution. Should a student Respondent permanently withdraw from the College, the resolution process ends with a dismissal, as the College no longer has disciplinary jurisdiction over the withdrawn student.

  However, the College will continue to address and remedy any systemic issues, variables that may have contributed to the alleged violation(s), and any ongoing effects of the alleged harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation. The student who withdraws or leaves while the process is pending may not return to the College in any capacity. Admissions and Human Resources will be notified, accordingly. Such exclusion applies to all campuses of the College.

  If the student Respondent only withdraws or takes a leave for a specified period of time (e.g., one semester or term), the resolution process may continue remotely and that student is not permitted to return to College unless and until all sanctions, if any, have been satisfied.

  During the resolution process, the College may put a hold on a responding student’s transcript or place a notation on a responding student's transcript or dean's disciplinary certification that a disciplinary matter is pending.

  Employees: Should an employee Respondent resign with unresolved allegations pending, the resolution process ends with dismissal, as the College no longer has disciplinary jurisdiction over the resigned employee.

  However, the College will continue to address and remedy any systemic issues, variables that contributed to the alleged violation(s), and any ongoing effects of the alleged harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation.

  The employee who resigns with unresolved allegations pending is not eligible for admissions or rehire with the College, and the records retained by the Title IX Coordinator will reflect that status.

  All College responses to future inquiries regarding employment references for that individual will include that the former employee resigned during a pending disciplinary matter.

  37. Appeals

  Any party may file a request for appeal ("Request for Appeal"), but it must be submitted in writing to the Title IX Coordinator within five (5) business days of the delivery of the Notice of Outcome.

  A three-member appeal panel chosen from the Pool will be designated by the Title IX. No appeal panelists will have been involved in the process previously, including in any dismissal appeal that may have been heard earlier in the process. A voting Chair of the Appeal panel will be designated.

  The Request for Appeal will be forwarded to the Appeal Chair or designee for consideration to determine if the request meets the grounds for appeal (a Review for Standing).

  This review is not a review of the merits of the appeal, but solely a determination as to whether the request meets the grounds and is timely filed.

  37a. Grounds for Appeal
  Appeals are limited to the following grounds:

  • Procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter
  • New evidence that was not reasonably available at the time the determination regarding responsibility or dismissal was made, that could affect the outcome of the matter
  • The Title IX Coordinator, Investigator(s) or decision-maker(s) had a conflict of interest or bias for or against Complainants or Respondents generally or the specific Complainant or Respondent that affected the outcome of the matter.

  If any of the grounds in the Request for Appeal do not meet the grounds in this Policy, that request will be denied by the Appeal Chair, and the parties and their Advisors will be notified in writing of the denial and the rationale.
  If any of the grounds in the Request for Appeal meet the grounds in this Policy, then the Appeal Chair will notify the other party(ies) and their Advisors, the Title IX Coordinator, and, when appropriate, the Investigators and/or the original decision-maker(s).
  The other party(ies) and their Advisors, the Title IX Coordinator, and, when appropriate, the Investigators and/or the original decision-maker(s) will be mailed, emailed, and/or provided a hard copy of the request for an appeal with the approved grounds and then be given five (5) business days to submit a response to the portion of the appeal that was approved and involves them. All responses, if any, will be forwarded by the Chair to all parties for review and comment.
  The non-appealing party (if any) may also choose to raise a new ground for appeal at this time. If so, that will be reviewed to determine if it meets the grounds on this Policy by the Appeal Chair and either denied or approved. If approved, it will be forwarded to the party who initially requested an appeal, the Investigator(s) and/or original decision-maker(s), as necessary, who will submit their responses, if any, in five (5) business days, which will be circulated for review and comment by all parties. If not approved, the parties will be notified accordingly, in writing.
  Neither party may submit any new requests for appeal after this time period. The Appeal Chair will collect any additional information needed and all documentation regarding the approved grounds for appeal and the subsequent responses will be shared with the Appeal Panel/Chair, and the Panel will render a decision in no more than five (5) business days, barring exigent circumstances. All decisions are by majority vote and apply the preponderance of the evidence OR the clear and convincing evidence standard.
  A Notice of Appeal Outcome will be sent to all parties simultaneously including the decision on each approved ground and rationale for each decision. The Notice of Appeal Outcome will specify the finding on each ground for appeal, any specific instructions for remand or reconsideration, any sanctions that may result which the College is permitted to share according to state or federal law, and the rationale supporting the essential findings to the extent the College is permitted to share under state or federal law.
  Notification will be made in writing and may be delivered by one or more of the following methods: in person, mailed to the local or permanent address of the parties as indicated in official institutional records, or emailed to the parties’ college-issued email or otherwise approved account. Once mailed, emailed and/or received in-person, notice will be presumptively delivered.

  37b. Sanctions status during appeal
  Any sanctions imposed as a result of the hearing are stayed during the appeal process. Supportive measures may be reinstated, subject to the same supportive measure procedures above.
  If any of the sanctions are to be implemented immediately post-hearing, but pre-appeal, then emergency removal procedures (detailed above) for show cause meeting on the justification for doing so must be permitted within 48 hours of implementation.
  The College may still place holds on official transcripts, diplomas, graduations, and course registration pending the outcome of an appeal when the original sanctions included separation.

  37c. Appeal considerations

  • Appeals are not intended to provide for a full rehearing (de novo) of the allegation(s). In most cases, appeals are confined to a review of the written documentation or record of the original hearing and pertinent documentation regarding the specific grounds for appeal.
  • Decisions on appeal are to be deferential to the original decision, making changes to the finding only when there is clear error and to the sanction(s)/responsive action(s) only if there is a compelling justification to do so.
  • An appeal is not an opportunity for Appeal Decision-makers to substitute their judgment for that of the original decision-maker(s) merely because they disagree with the finding and/or sanction(s).
  • The Appeal Chair/decision-maker may consult with the Title IX Coordinator and/or legal counsel on questions of procedure or rationale, for clarification, if needed. Documentation of all such consultation will be maintained.
  • Appeals granted based on new evidence should normally be remanded (or partially remanded) to the original Investigator(s) and/or decision-maker(s) for reconsideration. Other appeals may be remanded at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator or, in limited circumstances, decided on appeal.
  • Once an appeal is decided, the outcome is final. Further appeals are not permitted, even if a decision or sanction is changed on remand (except in the case of a new hearing). When appeals result in no change to the finding or sanction, that decision is final. When an appeal results in a new finding or sanction, that finding or sanction can be appealed one final time on the grounds listed above and in accordance with these procedures.
  • In rare cases where an error cannot be cured by the original Decision-maker(s) (as in cases of bias), the appeal Chair/Panel may order a new investigation with new investigators and/or a new hearing with a new decision-maker(s).
  • The results of a remand to a decision-maker(s) cannot be appealed. The results of a new hearing can be appealed. The results of a new hearing can be appealed, once, on any of the three available appeal grounds.
  • In cases in which the appeal results in reinstatement to the College or resumption of privileges, all reasonable attempts will be made to restore the Respondent to their prior status, recognizing that some opportunities lost may be irreparable in the short term.

  38. Long-term remedies/Other actions

  Following the conclusion of the resolution process, and in addition to any sanctions implemented, the Title IX Coordinator may implement additional long-term remedies or actions with respect to the parties and/or the campus community that are intended to stop the harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation, remedy the effects, and prevent reoccurrence. These remedies/actions may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Referral to counseling and health services
  • Referral to the Employee Assistance Program
  • Education to the individual and/or the community
  • Permanent alteration of housing assignments
  • Permanent alteration of work arrangements for employees
  • Provision of campus safety escorts
  • Climate surveys
  • Policy modification and/or training
  • Provision of transportation accommodations
  • Implementation of long-term contact limitations between the parties
  • Implementation of adjustments to academic deadlines, course schedules, etc.

  At the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator, certain long-term support or measures may also be provided to the parties even if no policy violation is found.

  When no policy violation is found, the Title IX Coordinator will address any remedies owed by the College to the Respondent to ensure no effective denial of educational access.

  The College will maintain the confidentiality of any long-term remedies/actions/measures, provided confidentiality does not impair the College’s ability to provide these services.

  39. Failure to comply with sanctions and/or interim and long-term remedies and/or responsive actions

  All Respondents are expected to comply with the assigned sanctions, responsive actions, and/or corrective actions within the timeframe specified by the final Decision-maker(s) (including the Appeal Chair/Panel).

  Failure to abide by the sanction(s)/action(s) imposed by the date specified, whether by refusal, neglect or any other reason, may result in additional sanction(s)/action(s), including suspension, expulsion and/or termination from the College and may be noted on a student's official transcript.

  A suspension will only be lifted when compliance is achieved to the satisfaction of the Title IX Coordinator.

  40. Recordkeeping

  The College will maintain for a period of at least seven years records of the following:

  • Each sexual harassment investigation including any determination regarding responsibility and any audio or audiovisual recording or transcript required under federal regulation
  • Any disciplinary sanctions imposed on the Respondent
  • Any remedies provided to the Complainant designed to restore or preserve equal access to the College's education program or activity
  • Any appeal and the result therefrom
  • Any informal resolution and the result therefrom
  • All materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, Investigators, decision-makers and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process. The College will make these training materials publicly available on the College's website.
  • Any actions, including any supportive measures, taken in response to a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment:
    • The basis for all conclusions that the response was not deliberately indifferent
    • Any measures designed to restore or preserve equal access to the College’s education program or activity
    • If no supportive measures were provided to the Complainant, document the reasons why such a response was not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances.

  The College will also maintain any and all records in accordance with state and federal laws.

  41. Disabilities accommodations in the resolution process

  The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and support to qualified students, employees, or others with disabilities to ensure equal access to the College's resolution process.

  Anyone needing such accommodations or support should contact the Director of Disability Support Services who will review the request and, in consultation with the person requesting the accommodation and the Title IX Coordinator, determine which accommodations are appropriate and necessary for full participation in the process.

  42. Revision of this policy and procedures

  This Policy and procedures supersede any previous policy(ies) addressing sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and/or retaliation for incidents occurring on or after August 14, 2020, under Title IX and will be reviewed and updated annually by the Title IX Coordinator. The College reserves the right to make changes to this document as necessary, and once those changes are posted online, they are in effect.

  During the resolution process, the Title IX Coordinator may make minor modifications to procedures that do not materially jeopardize the fairness owed to any party, such as to accommodate summer schedules. The Title IX Coordinator may also vary procedures materially with notice (on the institutional website, with the appropriate effective date identified) upon determining that changes to law or regulation require policy or procedural alterations not reflected in this Policy and procedures.

  If government laws or regulations change – or court decisions alter – the requirements in a way that impacts this document, this document will be construed to comply with the most recent government laws or regulations or court holdings.

  This document does not create legally enforceable protections beyond the protection of the protections of the background state and federal laws which frame such policies and codes, generally.

  This Policy and procedures are effective August 14, 2020.

  Additional campus resources

  • Care Center
    Wake Tech assists students with easier access to a range of resources and benefits.
    919-866-5066
     
  • Ombuds Office
    An impartial resource for students, faculty, staff and administrators to assist in finding options for addressing concerns, resolving conflicts and handling a variety of institutional issues as they arise, in a confidential and informal manner.
    919-866-5479

  Additional community resources

  • Alliance Behavioral Health
    Provider network for mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services.
    Provider directory
     
  • InterAct
    A nonprofit United Way agency that provides services to survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. Services include short-term counseling, court assistance, support groups, information and referrals.
    919-828-7501
  • North Carolina Board of Nursing-approved sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs
    These North Carolina-based programs offer support from sexual assault nurse examiners trained in the collection of forensic evidence and can check for injuries and exposure to sexually transmitted diseases.
     
  • Solace Center
    A resource located at InterAct of Wake County, at 1012 Oberlin Road in Raleigh, which is a designated area for the forensic examination and treatment of survivors of rape/sexual assault.
    919-828-3067
     
  • Raleigh Police Department
    919-996-3335

Pregnancy and parenting policy

Wake Technical Community College is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all individuals enjoy freedom from discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex, as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Sex discrimination, which can include discrimination based on pregnancy, marital status or parental status, is prohibited and illegal in admissions, educational programs and activities, hiring, leave policies, employment policies and health insurance coverage.

Glossary (as applicable to the Title IX Policy)

The college hereby establishes a policy and associated procedures for ensuring the protection and equal treatment of pregnant individuals, persons with pregnancy-related conditions and new parents. Under the Department of Education’s (DOE) Title IX regulations, an institution that receives federal funding "shall not discriminate against any student, or exclude any student from its education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular activity, on the basis of such student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or recovery therefrom."

According to the DOE, appropriate treatment of a pregnant student includes granting the student leave "for so long a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician" and then effectively reinstating the student to the same status as was held when the leave began. This generally means that pregnant students should be treated by the college the same way as someone who has a temporary disability and will be given an opportunity to make up missed work wherever possible. Extended deadlines, make-up assignments (e.g., papers, quizzes, tests and presentations), tutoring, independent study, online course completion options and incomplete grades that can be completed at a later date should all be employed, in addition to any other ergonomic and assistive supports typically provided by Disability Support Services.

To the extent possible, the college will take reasonable steps to ensure that pregnant students who take a leave of absence or medical leave return to the same position of academic progress that they were in when they took leave, including access to the same course catalog that was in place when the leave began. The Title IX Coordinator has the authority to determine that such accommodations are necessary and appropriate and to inform faculty members of the need to adjust academic parameters accordingly.

As with disability accommodations, information about pregnant students’ requests for accommodations will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary to provide the reasonable accommodation. Faculty and staff will regard all information associated with such requests as private and will not disclose this information unless necessary. Administrative responsibility for these accommodations lies with the Title IX Coordinator, who will maintain all appropriate documentation related to accommodations.

In situations such as clinical rotations, performances, labs and group work, the institution will work with the student to devise an alternative path to completion, if possible. In progressive curricular and/or cohort-model programs, medically necessary leaves are sufficient cause to permit the student to shift course order, substitute similar courses or join a subsequent cohort when returning from leave.

Students are encouraged to work with their faculty members and the college’s support systems to devise a plan for how to best address the conditions as pregnancy progresses, anticipate the need for leaves, minimize the academic impact of their absence and get back on track as efficiently and comfortably as possible. The Title IX Coordinator will assist with plan development and implementation as needed.

Title IX compliance

Reporting

Any member of the Wake Technical Community College community may report a violation of this policy to any supervisor, manager or to the Title IX Coordinator. All mandated reporters are responsible for promptly forwarding such reports to the Title IX Office.

Administrative contact information

The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for overseeing complaints of discrimination involving pregnant and parenting students. Additionally, the Title IX Team is tasked with supporting these duties. Contact information is available in Section 6 for the Title IX Coordinator and Title IX Team.

Complaints may be filed online, using the available form.

Scope of policy

This policy applies to all aspects of the college's programs, including but not limited to admissions, educational programs and activities, extracurricular activities, hiring, leave policies, employment policies and health insurance coverage.

Reasonable accommodations of students affected by pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions:

• The college and its faculty, staff and other employees will not require students to limit their studies as the result of pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions.
• The benefits and services provided to students affected by pregnancy will be no less than those provided to students with temporary medical conditions.
• Students with pregnancy-related disabilities, like any student with a short-term or temporary disability, are entitled to reasonable accommodations so that they will not be disadvantaged in their courses of study or research, and may seek assistance from the Title IX Office.
• No artificial deadlines or time limitations will be imposed on requests for accommodations, but the college is limited in its ability to impact or implement accommodations retroactively.
• Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
• Providing accommodations requested by a pregnant student to protect the health and safety of the student and/or the pregnancy (such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from hazardous substances)
• Making modifications to the physical environment (such as accessible seating)
• Providing mobility support
• Extending deadlines and/or allowing the student to make up tests or assignments missed for pregnancy-related absences
• Offering remote learning options
• Excusing medically necessary absences (this must be granted, irrespective of classroom attendance requirements set by a faculty member, department or division)
• Implementing incomplete grades for classes that will be resumed at a future date
• Allowing breastfeeding students reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a location that is private, clean and reasonably accessible. Bathroom stalls do not satisfy this requirement.

Nothing in this policy requires modification to the essential elements of any academic program. Pregnant students cannot be channeled into an alternative program or school against their wishes.

Modified academic responsibilities policy for parenting students:

• Students with child caretaking/parenting responsibilities who wish to remain engaged in their coursework while adjusting their academic responsibilities because of the birth or adoption of a child or placement of a foster child may request an academic modification period during the same semester the child entered the home. Extensions may be granted when additional time is required by medical necessity or extraordinary caretaking/parenting responsibilities.
• During the modification period, the student’s academic requirements will be adjusted and deadlines postponed as appropriate, in collaboration among the Title IX Office, the student’s academic advisor and the appropriate academic department(s).
• Students seeking a period of modified academic responsibilities may consult with their academic advisor or with the Title IX Office to determine appropriate academic accommodations requests. The Title IX Office will communicate all requests under this policy to students’ academic advisors and coordinate accommodation-related efforts with the advisors unless the students specifically requests that their advisors be excluded. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors and faculty members to reschedule course assignments, lab hours, examinations or other requirements and/or to reduce their overall course load, as appropriate, once authorization is received from the Title IX Office. If, for any reason, caretaking/parenting students are not able to work with their advisors/faculty members to obtain appropriate modifications, students should alert the Title IX Office as soon as possible, and the office will help facilitate needed accommodations and modifications.
• In timed degree, certification or credentialing programs, students who seek modifications upon the birth or placement of their child will be allowed an extension to prepare for and take preliminary and qualifying examinations, and an extension toward normative time to degree while in candidacy, to the extent those deadlines are controlled by the college. Extensions may be granted when additional time is required by medical necessity or extraordinary caretaking/parenting responsibilities.
• Students can request modified academic responsibilities under this policy regardless of whether they elect to take a leave of absence.
• While receiving academic modifications, students will remain registered and retain benefits accordingly.

Student-employee leave

All student-employees will be entitled to the protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Pregnancy and related conditions will be treated as any other temporary disability for job purposes, including leave and benefits.

Retaliation and harassment

Harassment of any member of the college community based on sex, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy or parental status is prohibited.

Faculty, staff and other college employees are prohibited from interfering with students’ right to a period of leave, seek reasonable accommodation or otherwise exercise their rights under this policy.

Faculty, staff, and other College employees are prohibited from retaliating against students for exercising the rights articulated by this Policy, including imposing or threatening to impose negative educational outcomes because students request leave or accommodation, file a complaint, or otherwise exercise their rights under this Policy.

Dissemination of the policy and training

A copy of this policy will be made available to faculty, staff and employees in annually required training and posted on the college’s website. The college will alert all new students about this policy and the location of this policy as part of orientation. The Title IX office will make educational materials available to all members of the college community to promote compliance with this policy and familiarity with its procedures.

Pregnancy and parenting student resources

• The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) is an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions constitutes unlawful sex discrimination under Title VII. More information may be viewed on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s website. 
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including pregnancy and parental status, in educational programs and activities. View more details on rights provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Lactation support policy

The college promotes supports for working parents with the transition back to work and school following childbirth. This includes support of nursing mothers wishing to express breast milk periodically during the work/school day. In accordance with provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), upon request, suitable space must be provided for lactation support. Information about the North Carolina State Government policy can be found via the Office of State Human Resources website.

The college provides lactation rooms college-wide. The list of campus lactation rooms includes the locations of the rooms, information on how to reserve the rooms and contact information for accessing the rooms.

Gender-neutral/single-stall restrooms

As part of its commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive spaces, Wake Tech provides gender-neutral restrooms collegewide. These facilities are open to people of all genders.

Campus maps

• Beltline Education Center
• Scott Northern Wake Campus
• RTP Campus
• Southern Wake Campus
• Perry Health Sciences Campus
• Public Safety Education Campus
• Western Wake Campus

Appendix A: Policy examples

Examples of sexual harassment

• A professor offers for a student to have sex or go on a date with them in exchange for a good grade. This constitutes sexual harassment regardless of whether the student accedes to the request and irrespective of whether a good grade is promised or a bad grade is threatened.
• A student repeatedly sends graphic, sexually oriented jokes and pictures around campus via social media to hundreds of other students. Many don’t find it funny and ask them to stop, but they do not. Because of these jokes, one student avoids the sender on campus and in the residence hall in which they both live, eventually asking to move to a different building and dropping a class they had together.
• A professor engages students in class in discussions about the students’ past sexual experiences, yet the conversations are not in any way germane to the subject matter of the class. The professor inquires about explicit details and demands that students answer them, though the students are clearly uncomfortable and hesitant.
• An ex-partner widely spreads false stories about their sex life with their former partner to the clear discomfort and frustration of the former partner, turning the former partner into a social pariah on campus.
• A student has recently transitioned from male to non-binary, but primarily expresses as a female. Since their transition, the student has noticed that their professor, pays them a lot more attention. The student is sexually attracted to the professor and believes the attraction is mutual. The student decides to act on the attraction. One day, the student visits the professor during office hours, and after a long conversation about being non-binary, the student kisses the professor. The professor is taken aback, stops the kiss, and tells the student not to do that. The professor explains to the student that they are not interested in the student sexually or romantically. The student takes it hard, crying to the professor about how hard it is to find someone who is interested in them now based on their sexual identity. The professor feels sorry for the student and softens the blow by telling them that no matter whether they like the student or not, faculty-student relationships are prohibited by the College. The student takes this as encouragement.  One night, the student goes to a gay bar some distance from campus and sees the professor there.  The student tries to buy the professor a drink and, again, tries to kiss the professor. The professor leaves the bar abruptly. The next day, the student makes several online posts that out the professor as gay and raise questions about whether they are sexually involved with students. The professor contacts the Title IX Office and alleges sexual harassment by the student.

Examples of stalking

• Students A and B were “friends with benefits”. Student A wanted a more serious relationship, which caused student B to break it off. Student A could not let go, and pursued student B relentlessly. Student B obtained a campus no-contact order. Subsequently, Student B discovered their social media accounts were being accessed, and things were being posted and messaged as if they were from them, but they were not. Whoever accessed their account posted a picture of a penis, making it look as if Student B had sent out a picture of themselves, though it was not their penis. This caused them considerable embarrassment and social anxiety. They changed their passwords, only to have it happen again. Seeking help from the Title IX Coordinator, Student B met with the IT department, which discovered an app on their phone and a keystroke recorder on their laptop, both of which were being used to transmit their data to a third party.
• A graduate student working as an on-campus tutor received flowers and gifts delivered to their office. After learning the gifts were from a student they recently tutored, the graduate student thanked the student and stated that it was not necessary and would appreciate it if the gift deliveries stopped. The student then started leaving notes of love and gratitude on the tutor’s car, both on-campus and at home. Asked again to stop, the student stated by email, “You can ask me to stop, but I’m not giving up. We are meant to be together, and I’ll do anything to make you have the feelings for me that I have for you.” When the tutor did not respond, the student emailed again, “You cannot escape me. I will track you to the ends of the earth. If I can’t have you, no one will.”

Examples of sexual assault

• Students A and B meet at a party. They spend the evening dancing and getting to know each other. Student A convinces Student B to come up to their room. From 11:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m., Student A uses every line they can think of to convince Student B to have sex, but Student B adamantly refuses. Despite her clear communications that Student B is not interested in doing anything sexual, Student A keeps questioning about religious convictions and accusations of being “a prude.” Student A brings up several rumors that were heard about how Student B performed oral sex on a number of other guys. Finally, it seems to Student A that Student B’s resolve is weakening, and convinces Student B to “jerk him off” (hand to genital contact).  Student B would have never done it but for Student A’s incessant coercion.
• Student A is a junior. Student B is a sophomore. Student A comes to Student B’s residence hall room with some mutual friends to watch a movie. Student A and B, who have never met before, are attracted to each other. After the movie, everyone leaves, and Students A and B are alone. They hit it off, soon become more intimate, and start to make out. Student A verbally expresses their desire to have sex with Student B. Student B, who was abused by a babysitter at the age of five and avoids sexual relations as a result, is shocked at how quickly things are progressing. As Student A takes Student B by the wrist over to the bed, lays down, undresses Student B, and begins to have intercourse with Student B, Student B has a severe flashback to childhood trauma. Student B wants to tell Student A to stop but cannot. Student B is stiff and unresponsive during the intercourse. Although sex has progressed for sexual minutes, Student B requests Student A to stop. Student A refuses to do so.
• Students A and B are at a party. Student A is not sure how much Student B has been drinking, but is pretty sure it’s a lot. After the party, Student A walks Student B to their apartment and ultimately engage in sexual activity. Student A asks Student B asks if they are really up to this, and Student B says yes. They remove each other’s clothes, and they end up in bed. Suddenly, Student B runs for the bathroom. Upon returning, Student’s B face is pale, resulting from potential vomiting.  Student B gets back into bed, and they begin to have sexual intercourse. Student A is having a good time, though can’t help but notice that Student A seems pretty groggy and passive and thinks Student B may have even passed out briefly during the sex, but came to again. When Student A runs into Student B the next day, and thanks for the great night. Student B remembers nothing and decides to make a report to the Dean.

Examples of retaliation

• Student-athlete A alleges sexual harassment by a coach; the coach subsequently cuts the student-athlete’s playing time without a legitimate justification.
• A faculty member alleges gender inequity in pay within her department; the Department Chair then revokes approval for the faculty member to attend a national conference, citing the faculty member’s tendency to “ruffle feathers.”
• A student from Organization A participates in a sexual harassment investigation as a witness whose testimony is damaging to the Respondent, who is also a member of Organization A; the student is subsequently removed as a member of Organization A because of their participation in the investigation.

Appendix B: ATIXA framework for informal resolution

The College utilizes the professional guidance of the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) for its Informal Resolution (IR) process.

ATIXA has framed a process for IR that includes:

1. A response based on supportive measures; and/or
2. A response based on a Respondent accepting responsibility; and/or
3. A response based on alternative resolution, which could include various approaches and/or facilitation of dialogue. 

Alternative resolution approaches such as mediation, restorative practices, and transformative justice are likely to be used more and more often by colleges and universities. ATIXA does not endorse these approaches as better or worse than other formal or informal approaches. 

ATIXA believes that if they are to be used in, and are effective for, sex offenses, they need to be designed and executed carefully and thoughtfully and be facilitated by well-trained personnel who take the necessary time to prepare and lay a foundation for success. Although no approach is a panacea, the framework below can help to lay that foundation, regardless of which approach(es) are used.

Here are the principles to be considered in supporting various approaches to informal resolution:

• IR can be applied in any sex/gender-based interpersonal conflict but may not be appropriate or advisable in cases involving violent incidents (sexual violence, stalking, domestic and dating violence, severe sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, etc.)
• Situations involving dangerous patterns or significant ongoing threat to the community should not be resolved by IR.
• The determination of whether to permit an IR-based resolution is entirely at the discretion of the Title IX Coordinator (TIXC) and in line with the requirements for IR laid out in the Title IX regulations.
• Any party can end IR early-, mid-, or late-process for any reason or no reason.
• IR can be attempted before and in lieu of formal resolution as a diversionary resolution (although a formal complaint must be filed if you are within Section 106.30, per OCR).
• Alternative approaches can inform formal resolution, as in a formal resolution model infused with restorative practices.
• IR could be deployed after formal resolution, as an adjunct healing/catharsis opportunity (that could potentially mitigate sanctions or be a form of sanction).
• Alternative Resolution approaches to IR must be facilitated by the College or a third-party. There may be value in creating clearly agreed-upon ground rules, which the parties must sign in advance and agree to abide by, otherwise the informal resolution process may be deemed to have failed.
• Technology-facilitated IR can be made available, should the parties not be able or willing to meet in person.
• If IR fails, a formal resolution can take place thereafter. No evidence elicited within the “safe space” of the IR facilitation is later admissible in the formal resolution unless all parties consent.
• With cases involving violence, the preferred alternative approach typically involves a minimal number of essential parties and is not a restorative circle approach with many constituents in order to ensure confidentiality.
• Some approaches require a reasonable gesture toward accountability (this could be more than an acknowledgement of harm) and some acceptance, or at least recognition, by the Respondent that catharsis is of value and likely the primary goal of the Complainant. A full admission by the Respondent is not a prerequisite. This willingness needs to be vetted carefully in advance by the Title IX before determining that an incident is amenable/appropriate for resolution by IR.
• IR can result in an accord or agreement between the parties (Complainant, Respondent, and the College) which is summarized in writing by and enforced by the College. This can be a primary goal of the process.
• IR can result in the voluntary imposition of safety measures, remedies, and/or agreed-upon resolutions by the parties, that are enforceable by the College. These can be part of the accord/agreement.
• As a secondary goal, IR can result in the voluntary acceptance of “sanctions,” meaning that a Respondent could agree to withdraw, self-suspend (by taking a leave of absence), or undertake other restrictions/transfers/online course options that would help to ensure the safety/educational access of the Complainant, in lieu of formal sanctions that would create a formal record for the Respondent. These are enforceable by the College as part of the accord/agreement, as may be terms of mutual release, non-disparagement, and/or non-disclosure.
• Although a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) could result from IR, it would have to be mutually agreed-upon by the parties in an environment of non-coercion verified by the Title IX Coordinator.
• Institutions must develop clear rules for managing/facilitating the conference/meeting/dialogue of alternative resolution approaches, to ensure they are civil, age-appropriate, culturally-competent, reflective of power imbalances, and maximize the potential for the resolution process to result in catharsis, restoration, remedy, etc., for the harmed party(ies).

Appendix C: Statement of rights of the parties

• The right to an equitable investigation and resolution of all credible allegations of prohibited harassment or discrimination made in good faith to College officials.
• The right to timely written notice of all alleged violations, including the identity of the parties involved (if known), the precise misconduct being alleged, the date and location of the alleged misconduct (if known), the implicated policies and procedures, and possible sanctions.
• The right to timely written notice of any material adjustments to the allegations (e.g., additional incidents or allegations, additional Complainants, unsubstantiated allegations) and any attendant adjustments needed to clarify potentially implicated policy violations.
• The right to be informed in advance of any public release of information by the College regarding the allegation(s) or underlying incident(s), whenever possible.
• The right not to have any personally identifiable information released by the College to the public without consent provided, except to the extent permitted by law.
• The right to be treated with respect by College officials.
• The right to have College Policy and these procedures followed without material deviation.
• The right not to be pressured to mediate or otherwise informally resolve any reported misconduct involving violence, including sexual violence.
• The right not to be discouraged by College officials from reporting sexual harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation to both on-campus and off-campus authorities.
• The right to be informed by College officials of options to notify proper law enforcement authorities, including on-campus and local police, and the option(s) to be assisted by the College authorities in notifying such authorities, if the party so chooses. This also includes the right not to be pressured to report.
• The right to have allegations of violations of this Policy responded to promptly and with sensitivity by the College’s law enforcement and/or other College officials.
• The right to be informed of available interim actions and supportive measures, such as counseling, advocacy, health care, student financial aid, visa, immigration assistance, and/or other services, both on campus and in the community.
• The right to a college-implemented no-contact order or a n-trespass order against a non-affiliated third party when a person has engaged in or threatens to engage in stalking, threatening, harassing, or other improper conduct that presents a danger to the welfare of the party or others.
• The right to be informed of available assistance in changing academic, living, and/or working situations after an alleged incident of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation, if such changes are reasonably available. No formal report, or investigation, either campus or criminal, needs to occur before this option is available. Such actions may include, but are not limited to:
  • Relocating an on-campus student’s housing to a different on-campus location
  • Assistance from the College’s staff in completing the relocation
  • Changing an employee’s work environment (e.g., reporting structure, office/workspace relocation)
  • Transportation accommodations
  • Visa/immigration assistance
  • Arranging to dissolve a housing contract and provide a pro-rated refund
  • Exam, paper, and/or assignment rescheduling or adjustment
  • Receiving an incomplete in, or a withdrawal from, a class (may be retroactive)
  • Transferring class sections
  • Temporary withdrawal/leave of absence (may be retroactive)
  • Campus safety escorts
  • Alternative course completion options
     
• The right to have the College maintain such actions for as long as necessary and for supportive measures to remain confidential, provided confidentiality does not impair the College’s ability to provide the supportive measures.
• The right to receive sufficiently advanced, written notice of any meeting or interview involving the other party, when possible.
• The right to have the Investigator(s), Advisors, and/or Decision-maker(s) to identify and question relevant available witnesses, including expert witnesses.
• The right to provide the Investigator(s)/Decision-maker(s) with a list of questions that, if deemed relevant by the Investigator(s)/Decision-maker(s), may be asked of any party or witness.
• The right not to have inadmissible prior sexual predisposition/history or irrelevant character admitted as evidence.
• The right to know the relevant and directly related evidence obtained and to respond to that evidence.
• The right to fair opportunity to provide the Investigator(s) with their account of the alleged misconduct and have that account be on the record.
• The right to receive a copy of the final investigation report, including all factual, policy, and/or credibility analyses performed, and to have at least (10) business days to review and comment on the report prior to the hearing.
• The right to respond to the investigation report, including comments providing any additional relevant evidence after the opportunity to review the investigation report, and to have that response on the record.
• The right to be informed of the names of all witnesses whose information will be used to make a finding, in advance of that finding, when relevant.
• The right to regular updates on the status of the investigation and/or resolution.
• The right to have reports of alleged policy violations addressed by Investigators, Title IX Coordinators, and Decision-maker(s) who have received relevant annual training.
• The right to a Hearing Panel that is not single sex in its composition, if a panel is used.
• The right to preservation of confidentiality/privacy, to the extent possible and permitted by law.
• The right to meetings, interviews, and/or hearings that are closed to the public.
• The right to petition that any College representative in the process be recused on the basis of disqualifying bias and/or conflict of interest.
• The right to have an Advisor of their choice to accompany and assist the party in all meetings and/or interviews associated with the resolution process.
• The right to the use of the appropriate standard of evidence, preponderance of the evidence, to make a finding after an objective evaluation of all relevant evidence.
• The right to be present, including presence via remote technology, during all testimony given and evidence presented during any formal grievance hearing.
• The right to have an impact statement considered by the Decision-maker(s) following a determination of responsibility for any allegation, but prior to sanctioning.
• The right to be promptly informed in a written Notice of Outcome letter of the finding(s) and sanction(s) of the resolution process and a detailed rationale of the decision (including an explanation of how credibility was assessed), delivered simultaneously (without undue delay) to the parties.
• The right to be informed in writing of when a decision by the College is considered final and any changes to the final determination or sanction(s) that occur post Notification of Outcome.
• The right to be informed of the opportunity to appeal the finding(s) and sanction(s) of the resolution process, and the procedures for doing so in accordance with the standards for appeal established by the College.
• The right to a fundamentally fair resolution as defined in these procedures.

Appendix D: Process B

• Process B is applicable when the Title IX Coordinator determines Process A is inapplicable, or offenses subject to Process A have been dismissed.
• If Process A is applicable, Process A must be applied in lieu of Process B.
• Recipients can substitute any alternative process instead of Process B, if desired.
• VAWA Section 304 requirements apply to Process B or any alternative process for reports that fall under VAWA.
• Title IX requirements outside of Section 106.30 (based on the original 1975 regulations, the 2001 Revised Guidance, etc.) may also be applicable to Process B.

ATIXA 2020 ONE POLICY, TWO PROCEDURES MODEL
USE AND ADAPTATION OF THIS MODEL WITH CITATION TO ATIXA IS
PERMITTED THROUGH A LIMITED LICENSE
TO Wake Technical Community College
ALL OTHER RIGHTS RESERVED.
©2020. ATIXA

RefID#E0129_TitleIX_8-HR & Benefits and RefID#C1405_9-Students

Visitors and children are welcome at Wake Technical Community College with limitations to protect the health and safety of the college community as well as maintain productivity for employees.

Definitions
 

Visitors are welcome on the Wake Tech campus. For the safety and security of all, immediately upon arriving, visitors are required to register at the reception desk at any campus. At the reception desk, visitors may obtain information and directions as needed. The college cannot accommodate extended non-official visits; individuals who have not registered or who are found loitering on campus may be required to leave.

Visitors, children and any other persons not enrolled at Wake Tech are not allowed in the classrooms, laboratories or any other instructional areas (on or off campus) without prior authorization.

Children under the age of 15 visiting the libraries or other public areas on campus and are not enrolled at Wake Tech must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or another adult at all times and must not be left unattended in any area of the library or college. The accompanying adult should ensure that the child does not cause a disruption to the staff work or student learning environments of the libraries or other public areas on campus, or they will be asked to leave.

At community school sites, only persons attending classes or other college activities are permitted on the premises.

Wake Tech students or employees violating the above regulations on any Wake Tech campus or community schools site will be subject to disciplinary action.

RefID#C1443 and RefID#E1312

If the need should arise to evacuate a building because of fire or other impending danger, a general alarm will be sounded. When such an alarm is sounded, individuals should leave the building by way of the nearest exit. Individuals should become familiar with posted evacuation routes.

The college does not assume responsibility for injuries or losses sustained on or off campus by any student. For this reason, accident insurance is included in the Student Administration Fee for all curriculum students. Students in select Workforce Development courses shall be required to purchase accident insurance as part of their registration.

All students covered by the insurance policy are responsible for reading the Student Accident Insurance Plan brochure to understand the extent of coverage and the procedures for filing a claim. A copy of the brochure can be obtained from the Registrar's Office. All provisions described in the Student Accident Insurance Plan brochure will prevail in the event of any discrepancy between this policy and the brochure. 

The college requires each person enrolling in a Health Sciences curriculum and students in select Workforce Development courses to have student malpractice liability insurance coverage in the amount of $2,000,000/$5,000,000. Students enrolled in Health Sciences curriculum may purchase this insurance from a local insurance agency. Proof of coverage must be presented at the time of registration by providing the policy or certification of insurance. In the absence of proof of coverage, students enrolled in a Health Sciences curriculum are required to purchase professional liability insurance through the college’s blanket liability insurance program at the time of registration. Payment for this insurance will be included in the registration fee for Workforce Development students.

Personal injury insurance is required for students participating in the intercollegiate athletics program. 

Students who would like to purchase health insurance for themselves and/or their families may participate in a group policy through the North Carolina Community College Student Health Plan. More information can be found on Wake Tech’s website by clicking on the Student Services link and then the Student Health Insurance link.

Accident notification and response

All accidents and injuries are to be reported to the College Police Department by calling Wake Tech’s 24-hour call center at 919-866-5911. The College Police will notify Wake County EMS 911 when an accident appears to be severe enough to require professional medical attention.

The call center will assign a case number to each incident. For accidents that occur on a Wake Tech site, a College Police officer will be dispatched immediately to the scene to compile information for an incident report and to assist with or administer first aid. Students who are injured while participating in off-campus activities sponsored and supervised by Wake Tech faculty or staff and those who are otherwise unable to provide information to an officer at the time of their accident are to report the details to a College Police officer upon their return to Wake Tech. The officer responding to the incident (or receiving the student report) will complete an incident report as soon as possible, but no later than by the end of their shift.

Injured students who are unable to drive themselves to an urgent care clinic, hospital or other medical facility will be consigned to the care and transport of EMS personnel. Under no circumstances shall a Wake Tech employee provide transportation for an injured student. Students may seek treatment from a medical facility of their choosing (within plan limitations) providing that the treatment is not rendered by a doctor or nurse who is a family member.

Accident reimbursement claims

Students seeking reimbursement for expenses covered by the student accident insurance plan must obtain an Accident Claim Form from the Registrar's Office within 30 days of the incident or as soon as is reasonably possible. To be eligible for reimbursement, the original completed Accident Claim Form must be submitted to the insurance agency. A copy of the claim form and medical bills must be provided to the Business Office. Additional instructions and contact information for the agency can be found on the back of the Accident Claim Form; the claim procedure is also detailed in the Student Accident Insurance Plan brochure.

No student shall distribute, dispense, possess, use or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, malt beverage, fortified wine or other intoxicating liquor or unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use or be under the influence of marijuana or any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, anabolic steroid or any other controlled substance as defined in Schedule I through VI of Section 202 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. Section 812) and as further defined by regulation at 21 C.F.R. 1300.11–1300.15 or Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes in any college location as defined below.

"College location" means in any college building or on any college premises, in any college-owned vehicle or other college-approved vehicle used to transport students to and from college or college activities, or off college property at any college-sponsored or college-approved activity, event or function, such as a field trip or athletic event, where students are under the jurisdiction of the college. 

Any student who violates the terms of this policy may be subject to suspension or expulsion from the college in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities or may be required to participate in a drug abuse assistance and rehabilitation program approved by the Enrollment and Student Services Administration. If such student fails to satisfactorily participate in such program, the student will be suspended or expelled from the college in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities. 

Drug abuse prevention program

Recognizing the serious consequences resulting from the inappropriate use of drugs and the potential disciplinary action that could result from the possession or consumption of controlled substances on campus, Wake Tech offers a program of activities and services to prevent drug and alcohol abuse on the part of its students. The Dean of Student Development will provide oversight for the content and timeliness of the program as follows:

• An annual notification will be sent by email to all students at the start of each fall and spring semester.
• At least once a year, each campus will conduct a seminar, workshop, presentation or other program of information and awareness that will be open to all students, faculty and staff.
• Each campus will provide readily available brochures and information sheets that may be used by individuals for their own personal information and awareness. These materials will be available at the Enrollment and Student Services area at each campus.
• A list of referral services in Wake County that specialize in assisting persons with substance abuse issues is available through Wake County Crisis and Assessment. Alliance Behavioral Healthcare, which also can be reached at 800-510-9132, will assist students in finding a provider that matches their needs.
• Services available from our Wellness Services.

Biennial review

The Associate Vice President for Student Services is responsible for completing the biennial review as noted in 34 CFR Part 86 by December 31 of each even-numbered year, for the two prior academic years. 

The review will accomplish the following:

• Determine the effectiveness of the education program and implement needed changes. The AVP will collect program information from the Dean of Student Development.
• Attendance, timeliness of subject matter and relevance of content should be considered.   
• Ensure consistent enforcement of disciplinary sanctions for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol as applicable under state or federal laws
• Include evidence that email notification was sent to all students at the start of Fall and Spring semesters

The college recognizes the need to prepare for unexpected situations or respond to weather that may require the closure of all or part of a campus or to reduce operations, identify the decision-making hierarchy for such closures, ensure timely notification to students, staff, faculty and visitors and confirm employee responsibilities in the event of a closure or reduced operations.

Definitions

In emergency situations – inclement weather, power outages or any other conditions constituting an emergency situation – the college may delay opening or close campuses for the day.

• If college campuses are closed, classes at all sites are canceled; however, online classes continue as scheduled, and on-campus instruction may be transitioned to online. All students should check Blackboard for class-specific information and assignments.
• If there is a delayed opening, any in-person class with 30 or more minutes of instructional time remaining will meet on campus. Students should check Blackboard for information about their courses.
• A campus-specific emergency may result in only one campus being closed, while others remain open. Campus-specific information will be clearly communicated.
• Wake Tech classes and events held at community sites, including Wake County public schools, will follow the protocols enacted at that site.

Notification

Delays and closings will be announced via the Wake Tech Warn emergency alert system. All Wake Tech student and employee email addresses are automatically registered to receive Wake Tech Warn alerts. Students and staff can add other email addresses or phone numbers for voicemail and text message alerts in the system.

Delays and closings will also be posted on www.waketech.edu, social media and local radio and television stations. An announcement will also be recorded on the college switchboard, 919-866-5000. In the event that an emergency situation occurs after the opening of the college, announcements about class dismissals and closings will come from the administrative officer in charge.

Students

When college campuses are closed due to inclement weather or other adverse conditions, students are expected to check Blackboard for class-specific information and assignments. Students who are unable to participate in online instruction due to a power outage or other circumstances are responsible for contacting their instructor and making up class assignments

If Blackboard becomes inaccessible or power outages occur, assignment due dates will be clearly posted when service resumes. Due dates may also be extended on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of instructors, and announcements will be posted accordingly.

Employees

When college campuses are closed due to inclement weather or other emergency conditions, employees who can work remotely should do so. The college does not expect employees to work in any environment that is unsafe. Employees who are not able to work remotely due to a power outage or other emergency situation should contact their supervisor. Employees who are not able to work remotely may be required to take annual leave or arrange to make up the time. Depending on the circumstances, the time lost may be counted as an excused absence at the discretion of the supervisor.

Contact information

Ref: E0919 and C1423 

Pursuant to Chapter 115D-21 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the Wake Tech Board of Trustees adopts the following rules governing parking, traffic and the registration of motor vehicles on Wake Tech campuses. These regulations are intended only to supplement the motor vehicle laws of North Carolina, all provisions of which apply to the streets, roads, alleys, sidewalks, walkways, parking spaces, parking areas and parking lots on all Wake Tech campuses.

Revised  October 2015

A. General provisions 

Definitions
Abandoned vehicle: a motor vehicle that has remained parked for more than 10 days, which is determined to be "derelict" under North Carolina General Statute 20-137.7

Employees: faculty members, administrative staff, clerical personnel and all other non-student personnel employed by the college (including temporary, permanent, part-time and full-time employees)

No-parking area: any area not specifically set aside, marked, striped or designated by Facility Services for the permanent or temporary parking of vehicles

Parking area: any area specifically set aside, marked, striped or designated by Facility Services for the permanent or temporary parking of vehicles

Repeat offender: any person committing three or more traffic or parking violations within an academic year

Student: anyone registered or enrolled in full- or part-time academic study who is not an employee

Visitor: anyone not identified as an employee or student according to the definitions above

Authority
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 115D-21, the Board of Trustees of Wake Technical Community College, through their designee, Facility Services, shall be responsible for the registration, flow and parking of vehicles on property owned or leased in whole or in part by the State of North Carolina and under control of the Wake Tech Board of Trustees. Notwithstanding the above, the Registrar shall be responsible for the registration of student vehicles. The provisions of the regulations apply to the operators of all vehicles operated on any Wake Tech campus and shall be in effect 24 hours a day, except as herein provided. 

Wake Tech’s Facility Services Office, as authorized by this ordinance and the Board of Trustees, shall exercise discretion and authority in ensuring that the necessary business of the college is conducted properly and that parking areas and facilities on Wake Tech campuses are used for the benefit and convenience of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Liability
Wake Technical Community College assumes no liability or responsibility for damage to or theft of personal property or of any vehicle parked or in operation on the properties leased by or under the control of the Board of Trustees of the college.

Violation of ordinance
In addition to the criminal penalties set out by the North Carolina General Statutes, any person violating this or any regulation issued hereunder is subject to a civil penalty as set forth in this ordinance.

Rules of evidence
When a vehicle is found to be in violation of this ordinance, it shall be considered prima facie evidence that the vehicle was parked by the person holding the college parking permit for that vehicle or by the person on file as the owner of said vehicle with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles or corresponding agency of another state.

B. Vehicle registration and parking permits

Permit eligibility
All faculty, staff and students in good standing with the college are eligible for and may obtain a parking permit. Motor vehicles parked on campus by students, faculty or staff must be registered with the college and must display a valid, official (Wake Tech-issued) vehicle parking permit. 

Handicapped parking permits
The state-issued permit is the only one Wake Tech requires.

Parking permits become invalid under the following conditions:

• Ownership of the vehicle is transferred to another person or entity.
• The permit holder's association with the college ends.
• The time period for which the permit is issued expires.
• The permit holder is issued another permit relating to the same vehicle.
• The permit holder's parking privileges are forfeited as a result of disciplinary sanctions.
• The permit holder commits three or more traffic or parking violations in an academic year.

Registration of motor vehicles
Faculty/staff vehicles must be registered through the Wake Tech Campus Police Department. There is no cost to employees for vehicle registration and no limit on the number of vehicles that can be registered. Contact Kenneth Brown at 919-866-5493 for more information.

Faculty/staff parking permits are for the exclusive use of employees and do not entitle friends or relatives of employees to park in staff spaces, even with the permit. Faculty/staff parking permits need not be renewed unless worn or illegible.

Student vehicles must be registered as part of the registration process. To obtain a parking permit, students shall provide their vehicle license plate number and the state in which the vehicle is registered. Vehicles brought onto campus after the college registration period has ended must be registered promptly. Students registered for classes at the Perry Health Sciences Campus shall obtain an entry key card for the parking deck. 

Student parking permits will be issued in conjunction with student identification badges.

Faculty, staff and students who have been issued a vehicle registration permit are responsible for parking violations involving the vehicle for which that permit has been issued.

A temporary parking permit shall be obtained when a permit holder’s vehicle is unavailable and he/she drives and parks another vehicle on campus.

Parking permits shall be properly displayed on the vehicles for which they have been issued. Four-wheel vehicles shall display permits on the left side of the rear window or to the rear left bumper. If the vehicle is a convertible or a Jeep with no glass rear windshield, permits may be displayed on the rear bumper or in an interior position within the cabin of the vehicle that would be highly visible to a police officer. Two-wheel vehicle permits shall be displayed on the rear of the vehicle, if possible, or attached to the front forks or windshield of the vehicle.  

Visitors (as defined in Article I) to any campus shall obtain a temporary parking permit from the reception desk and may park in spaces designated for visitors or general parking only. 

C. Parking and traffic rules and regulations

Faculty, staff and students are subject to discipline in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and Wake Tech policy and procedure.

Rules and regulations

• No vehicle shall be driven in a careless or reckless manner or in a direction opposite to that indicated by appropriate signs or markings on roadways that are designated as one-way streets.
• Wake Tech campuses are deemed business districts, with a speed limit of 20 mph.
• No vehicle may be parked in such a manner as to occupy more than one space.
• All vehicles shall be parked in the direction of the flow of the traffic pattern. Facing out (backing into) an angled parking space is not allowed. In straight line spaces, vehicles may face out by backing into the space or pulling forward in a double space.
• Vehicles parking in a designated handicapped parking space shall display a valid handicapped placard or distinguishable license plate issued to the operator or passenger (pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 20-37.6). Any person parking in a designated handicapped parking space shall comply with the requirements of North Carolina General Statue 20-37.6, "Parking privileges for handicapped drivers and passengers."
• Parking is prohibited as follows: on a sidewalk or walkway, along the main driveway entering the college, in the driving lanes of parking areas, in loading or unloading areas, in fire lanes, on grass or landscaped areas, or in approaches or other portions of parking areas that are not clearly marked for parking.
• No faculty, staff or student vehicle may be parked in spaces specifically reserved for certain persons or functions.
• Agents authorized by Wake Tech administration have authority to remove to a place of storage or boot any vehicle illegally stopped, parked or abandoned, at the vehicle owner’s expense.

Enforcement
The college reserves the right to revoke any parking privileges and to remove a repeat offender's valid parking permit for flagrant violation of the Traffic Rules and Regulations, including failure to pay fines. 

Fines
Financial Services is hereby authorized to collect a $25 fine for any of the following violations:

• Backing into an angled parking space
• Driving in a hazardous manner
• Driving wrong way in drive lanes
• Failure to display current parking decal
• Failure to register vehicle
• Failure to heed stop or yield sign
• Improper display of parking decal
• Parking in manner creating a hazard
• Parking in more than one parking space
• Parking in non-parking space
• Parking in unauthorized space
• Parking incorrectly in space

Financial Services is hereby authorized to collect a $250 fine for violation of handicapped parking rules and regulations and a $50 administrative fee for removal of a boot from any vehicle.

Towing
The College Police chief is hereby authorized to have towed or to have a boot (or other lawful means of enforcement) placed on any vehicle in violation of rules and regulations:

• Unauthorized parking in a handicapped space
• Unauthorized parking in reserved space
• Parking in area not designated for parking
• Repeated violation of the parking rules
• Parking in a manner that creates a hazard
• Abandoned vehicles

In addition to any fine assessed for a violation of this ordinance, the owner of a towed vehicle is responsible for payment of any towing and/or storage fees.

Wake Tech provides a petition/appeal procedure for towing and parking violations. Additionally, North Carolina G.S. 20-219.11 provides the following:

When a vehicle with a valid license plate or registration is towed as provided in G.S. 20-219.11, the authorizing person shall immediately notify the last known registered owner of the vehicle of the following:

• Description of the vehicle
• Place where the vehicle is stored
• Violation with which the owner is charged, if any
• Procedure the owner must follow to have the vehicle returned to him/her
• Procedure the owner shall follow to request a probable cause hearing on the towing

The owner or any other person entitled to claim possession of the vehicle may request in writing a hearing to determine probable cause for the towing. The request for a hearing shall be filed with the magistrate in the county where the vehicle was towed, and the hearing will be set within 72 hours of receipt of the request. 

The only issue at this hearing is whether probable cause existed for the towing. If the magistrate finds that probable cause did exist, the tower's lien continues. If the magistrate finds that probable cause did not exist, the tower's lien is extinguished. Any aggrieved party may appeal the magistrate's decision to District Court.

Suspension of parking privileges
The College Police chief may, in addition to any other penalty, suspend for up to one year the parking privileges of any individual found to be a repeat offender in flagrant violation of this ordinance. 

Failure to settle fines, fees and charges
Failure to settle outstanding traffic and parking fines, fees and charges within 14 days after issuance of a citation may result in the collection of fees in the following manner: 

• Penalties owed by faculty members and other employees of the college may be deducted from payroll checks.
• Penalties owed by students will be forwarded to the Registrar, and a hold will be placed on the student's records until the penalties are paid.

Petition/appeal procedure
Individuals issued a parking or traffic citation may appeal by returning a Traffic Violation Appeal form to the Traffic Appeals Review Board within the semester the citation is issued. Untimely appeals will not be accepted for review 

Traffic Violation Appeal forms are available at the reception desk on all Wake Tech campuses. 

Unless otherwise specified in this section, the appeal and all arguments in support of the appeal will be submitted in writing. The Traffic Appeals Review Board Administrator shall review the appeal, considering the written statement of the appellant and relevant documents submitted by the Chief of College Police, and respond by mail to the address provided on the appeal form. 

Appeal hearings
Individuals whose driving or parking privileges have been suspended or revoked, or whose vehicles have been towed, may submit an appeal in writing directly to the Chief of College Police. The appeal must be received within 14 days. Individuals will be notified in writing of the chief's decision within seven days of the appeal.

Traffic Appeals Review Board
Board membership consists of one faculty member appointed by the Faculty Association President, one staff member appointed by the Staff Association President and one student member appointed by the Student Government Association President. The Executive Vice President (or designee) shall serve as chair. The term of office will be one year, with no limit to the number of terms served. Members will serve until successors are appointed. The Chief of College Police (or designee) will attend each hearing to clarify operational questions that arise. 

The Board Chair (or designee) will present subsequent appeal forms to board members and call for a vote from each member. The Board Chair will make note of the decision regarding the appeal. The Board Chair is a non-voting member of the board.

The Traffic Appeals Review Board will meet as necessary. The Board Chair is responsible for notifying the board members of the time, date and location of the hearing. The Board Chair may render decisions on traffic appeals in between regularly scheduled meetings of the board and in emergency situations.

Decisions of the Traffic Appeals Review Board are final. If an appeal is denied, payment of the fine is due immediately.

Judgment factors:

• All facts as stated on the appeal form
• Information provided by the Chief of College Police, to include previous violations
• Information noted on the parking violation notice
• The rules and regulations of this ordinance

Wake Technical Community College requires its faculty, staff and students to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code) (the "Copyright Act"). Faculty, students and staff may download, possess and store only lawfully acquired copyrighted materials and may use, adapt and distribute those materials only in ways consistent with the Copyright Act, associated case law, the Fair Use principle and the intellectual property rights of others. The unauthorized use (downloading, possessing, storing, copying, adapting, sharing or distribution) of copyrighted materials is a violation of federal law and Wake Technical Community College policy and is strictly prohibited.

Copyrights and infringement

Copyright infringement of any kind is not permitted at Wake Technical Community College and may result in to criminal and civil penalties. Any sharing of copyrighted material without proper licensing or permission from the owner/author/manufacturer is prohibited by law and is not condoned by the college. 
Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under Section 106 of the Copyright Act. These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. 
In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading all or substantial parts of a copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright holder constitutes infringement. 
Students who infringe on a copyright are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from their program of study or from the college. Employees who infringe on a copyright are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment at the college. 
NOTE: Copyright infringement may also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment for up to five years for a first offense and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.

Intellectual property

Certain intellectual and creative works qualify for protection under U.S. law. The Copyright Act defines federal copyright protection, details original works of authorship protected and outlines the process for protecting such works. Title 35 of the United States Code defines patent protection, details inventions and discoveries protected, establishes conditions for patentability and spells out the process for the granting of patents.

• Independent works
  Works in which the college has no intellectual property rights include those covered by copyright or patent protection produced by a college employee outside the course or scope of his/her employment or by any person (including college employees and students) without college support. An independent work is characterized by, for example, the applicability of the following:
  • The work is the result of individual initiative. It is not the product made as a result of employment with the college.
  • The work is not a product of the employee's job duties.
  • The work is produced by an employee outside his/her work schedule.
  • The work is produced by an employee or by any person (including students at the college) without funds, resources or facilities owned or controlled by the college.
• College-supported works
  College-supported works are works covered by copyright or patent protection produced by a college employee in the course or scope of his/her employment or by any person, including college employees and students, with college support. A college-supported work is characterized by one or more of the following:
  • The work is the product made as a result of employment with the college.
  • The work is a product of the employee's job duties.
  • The work is produced by an employee during his/her work schedule.
  • The work is produced by an employee or by any person, including students at the college, with funds, resources or facilities owned or controlled by the college. College funds include but are not limited to release time, grant funds, salary supplements, leave with pay and other material or financial assistance.

• Fair use
  Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107 (Fair Use) of the United States Code classifies certain uses of materials copyrighted by others as non-infringing. It states:

  • 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use
    Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include:
    • the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes
    • the nature of the copyrighted work
    • the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
    • the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

  The fact that a work is unpublished will not per se preclude a finding of fair use, if that finding is made on consideration of all factors listed above.

Any employee or student wishing to use copyrighted materials under conditions not permitted by the Fair Use statute must obtain permission from the author or owner prior to using such material. If an employee intends to use copyrighted materials for college-related activities, he or she must file all correspondence and documentation of permission with his/her dean or unit manager. The documentation will consist of no less than the letter requesting approval for use, the letter of response from the author or owner, and the article or materials to be used.

Intellectual property rights

• Distribution of revenue and other benefits
  i. Independent works: The creator of an independent work qualifying for copyright or patent protection controls any revenue or other benefits generated by that work.
  ii. College-supported works: Unless otherwise provided for in a written agreement, the college controls any revenue or other benefits generated by college-supported works qualifying for copyright or patent protection.
   
• Written agreement
  Notwithstanding the college's ownership rights in a college-supported work, the college president, normally with the approval of the employee’s supervising administrators and the dean or manager of the employee’s division, may enter into a written agreement with an employee for an equitable arrangement for joint ownership, sharing of royalties or reimbursement to the college for its costs and support. In all such cases, the agreement will provide that the college will have a perpetual license to use the work without compensation to the employee for such use.

The college recognizes that the research and development of an idea frequently requires the expenditure of time and money as well as the use of lab space, equipment or other campus facilities. In order to assist worthy projects, Wake Technical Community College may enter into a written agreement with a college employee or student whose research or other work has demonstrable merit. Assistance may include financial support for the purchase of supplies, payment of patent fees, and other costs deemed necessary to the successful development of the individual’s idea, concept, design or invention. In all such cases, the agreement will provide for the college a basis of ownership or an agreement to reimburse the college for its costs and support as agreed upon by the employee or student and the college Board of Trustees. In no circumstances, however, shall the college agreement deprive, diminish or abrogate the rights of the college as specified in Section 4.a. above.

• Grant-supported works
  Notwithstanding the provisions of this policy, in the case of a work created under a grant accepted by the college, the ownership provisions of the grant prevail.
   
• Consulting
  Subject to college policy and prior approval, employees may consult for outside organizations. Any consulting agreement should include a statement that the employee has obligations to the college as described in this Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property Policy, and this policy should be attached to the consulting agreement. In the event of conflict between the consultant’s obligations under this Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property Policy and the consultant’s obligations to the organization for which he/she consults, the obligations under this Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property Policy take precedence.

Wake Tech encourages the responsible and ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (genAI), machine learning (ML) and large language models (LLMs). The Chief Data Officer and the Data Governance Committee reserve the right to explicitly direct their use within all institutional operations and environments.

Use of generative AI

College operations and student use of genAI are different and have different purposes, so this policy treats them separately.

• College operations
  The college will utilize genAI tools for a variety of activities where such uses advance the mission of the college without exposing the college to unreasonable risk. Examples include using genAI for assistive or improved access tools such as those used for language translation, closed captioning or any other purpose deemed appropriate by the college.
  The college maintains the authority to explicitly promote or restrict the use of any AI technology within its systems following an appropriate review by the chief data officer. The college may also use genAI to monitor data access and genAI usage.
  While this policy acknowledges the positive potential genAI has for college operations, users should also consider potential risks. Chief among these risks is the disclosure of confidential data, such as institutional data or any student data protected under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Users should not submit such data to any genAI tools or otherwise allow such data to be ingested or used to train genAI tools without the written consent of the chief data officer.
  Another risk to consider is that genAI output may violate the intellectual property rights of third parties. Users should carefully consider these risks before incorporating genAI into any college workflows. Any processes that incorporate genAI in any substantial way should also be reviewed annually by the chief data officer, the Data Governance Committee or their designee.
   
• Student work
  Departments are encouraged to establish AI guidelines and/or procedures for student work appropriate to their professional norms, the expectations and demands of higher education and, ultimately, the current workforce. Department policies should provide instructors with enough autonomy to set policies for the use of genAI tools specific to each course, as some courses (e.g., photography or graphic design) may encourage or require the use of such tools in connection with course content, while other courses may benefit from restricting their use.
  In all cases, instructors should clearly communicate these policies in their course syllabi. Students with questions about the use of specific genAI tools should seek clarification from their instructors.

Other policy considerations

In addition to this policy, the use of genAI also is governed by the college's existing policies on Academic Integrity, Copyright Infringement and Intellectual Property and Data Protection and Retention, as well as the Wake Tech Student Code of Conduct. Faculty, staff and students should carefully consider their use of genAI to ensure that such use does not violate any of these policies.

Wake Tech will utilize best practices related to maintaining a comprehensive Learning Management System records and data archive and retention schedule. The retention schedule will adhere to all applicable regulations and comply with all audit criteria. The retention schedule provides information pertinent to all types of courses offered by the college and provides instruction for storage and destruction of affected data.

Learning Management System Records Retention Schedule (this PDF document is the official version of the policy)

Digital student records generated while delivering online courses are confidential, protected under FERPA regulations, and must be provided to students or legal authorities when requested. North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) §115D, §121, and §132 have no special provisions for the handling or retention of digital academic records or protection from litigation regarding such records. North Carolina General Statutes and current Wake Tech policy require the retention of course and student records for a period of five years. Retaining student-generated data poses legal risks for the college if a student or parent sues or if records are compromised through accidental release or malicious intrusion. The maintenance, security, storage and backup of records in perpetuity and the mechanisms for producing the records in an accessible form constitute a financial burden for the college as well.

Wake Technical Community College recognizes that the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also referred to as drones, is popular for both recreational and educational usage. This policy establishes the minimum requirements for the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems in and around Wake Tech campuses and shall be a reference to assist with compliance with federal law, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, state and local laws and Wake Tech policies.

This policy applies to all members of the Wake Tech community, including but not limited to employees, students, clubs, organizations, vendors and third-party contractors, and any other individuals who are operating a UAS as part of their employment or as part of any Wake Tech-related activity. This policy also applies to any person or entity not affiliated with Wake Tech who may operate a UAS on Wake Tech property or land. This includes recreational and non-recreational aircraft operations. Any person operating a UAS on or above a Wake Tech campus is personally responsible – and bears sole responsibility – for complying with: FAA regulations; federal, state, county and municipal laws; and all Wake Tech policies, including but not limited to those set out in this UAS Policy.

Definitions

General

No individual shall operate a UAS on, in or over any Wake Tech campus without approval from Wake Tech. Before internal UAS activity, a safety risk assessment must also be conducted by the appropriate Wake Tech department or unit. In controlled airspace or any other airspace over land not owned or controlled by Wake Tech, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wake Tech and the landowner must be negotiated and signed prior to UAS use.

A safety risk assessment must be conducted by the Wake Tech department or unit before any internal UAS activity.

External commercial requesters must ensure the following requirements are met and submit them along with the authorization form:

1. Remote Pilot Certificate and Federal Airmen Certificate numbers
2. N.C. UAS Permit number
3. Certificate of insurance, including Wake Tech requirements
4. Registration number visible on drone
5. Flight plan

Complete the appropriate authorization form - external or internal Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Authorization form – and submit it with all required documentation to the Wake Tech Director of Campus Services contact for review.

Upon approval or denial of the request to operate a UAS, the Wake Tech Director of Campus Services will do the following:

1. Provide the requester with a confirmation email indicating the authorization form is approved or denied. If approved, a Wake Tech campus point-of-contact information will be provided for the specific campus.
2. Email the approved authorization form to the College Police and specific campus point-of-contact, as well as the expected UAS activity date, time and flight plan.

If an incident occurs on a Wake Tech campus, contact College Police immediately or no later than 24 hours after the incident occurred. If an accident has occurred, the drone operator must file an accident report with the FAA within 10 days of the incident if either of the following conditions exist:

• Serious injury to any person or any loss of consciousness
• Damage to any property, other than the UAS itself, where the cost of repair (including materials and labor) exceeds $500 or, in the event of a total loss, where the fair market value of the damaged property exceeds $500.

As a Wake Tech UAS pilot, any drone operator involved in an accident requiring FAA reporting must generate and retain in Wake Tech's files, documentation of all relevant flight data stored on the UAS itself and/or its associated remote control and any other attached device.

If a UAS is operating on a Wake Tech campus without receiving prior approval, College Police will advise the operator of the proper procedure, ask them to immediately stop flying and leave the campus immediately. The police officer will write an information report containing the name, date and campus of the violation, and the report will be maintained in the police system.

The first violation will be a verbal warning, as well as asking them to leave campus immediately. The second violation will be a referral to the Student Conduct Office for a student and a trespass from Wake Tech property for a non-student. A third violation could result in a citation.

Privacy

UAS operators shall comply with all federal, state and local privacy laws and regulations, as well as all Wake Tech policies governing privacy.

When operating a UAS for purposes of recording or transmitting visual images, operators bear sole responsibility for all legal risk and must take all reasonable measures to avoid violations of areas normally considered private. A UAS shall not be used to monitor or record areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. These areas include but are not limited to restrooms, locker rooms, changing or dressing rooms.

A UAS shall not be used to monitor or record sensitive institutional or personal information that may be found, for example, on an individual's workspace, on a computer or other electronic displays.

UAS and associated accessories requirements

Wake Tech UAS pilots must also ensure that their UAS satisfies the following requirements prior to proposed UAS operations:

• Ensure that the UAS proposed to be used in the UAS operations is appropriately marked and registered. As of the date of this document, all UAS over 0.55 pound (250 grams) must be registered with the FAA and marked with the assigned registration number visible on the external body of the drone. Registration numbers may not be underneath a drone battery or other external UAS feature that would restrict visibility of the registration number. Compliance with those registration and marking requirements – and all other registration and marking requirements in effect at the time of proposed UAS operations – is strictly required, and the Wake Tech UAS pilot shall bear sole responsibility for ensuring such compliance.
• Ensure that the UAS and its associated accessories (including any battery, remote control and/or external device attached thereto) is fully functional by performing a comprehensive inspection of the UAS, including (but not limited to) verifying that all available safety features on the UAS such as return-to-home and obstacle avoidance functionality are enabled.
• Engage in pre-flight contingency planning, which includes considering safe alternative routes or landing sites in the event of the following:
  • System failure
  • Degraded performance
  • Lost communication with the UAS
  • Lost visual line of sight with the UAS
  • Unavailability of original take-off/landing site
  • Changes in weather conditions

Prohibited operations

UAS are prohibited from operating at Wake Tech's RTP Campus, which lies within controlled airspace.

Unless approved or operated in identified and designated areas, no person or entity shall operate a UAS on, in or over any Wake Tech campus. This prohibition includes commercial flyers conducting commercial photography or filming without first having requested and received approval from Wake Tech.

No person may operate a UAS weighing more than 55 pounds, regardless of FAA approval, without first obtaining permission from Wake Tech.

All UAS operators must ensure that their UAS is registered and marked as required under the then-current laws and FAA rules and regulations; operations with any non-compliant UAS are strictly prohibited.

Termination authority / miscellaneous

Wake Tech reserves the right to terminate UAS permission or operations at any time in its sole discretion.

Wake Tech reserves the right and full authority to interpret all aspects of this UAS policy in Wake Tech's sole discretion, provided, however, that this UAS policy may be construed and enforced only to the maximum extent possible without unlawfully impinging on overriding constitutional rights, if any. To the extent any provision of this UAS policy is found to be unenforceable, such provision shall be severed, and all remaining aspects of the UAS policy shall remain in full force and effect. A failure by Wake Tech to enforce one or more of the provisions of this UAS policy shall neither constitute a waiver of such provisions nor constitute Wake Tech's approval of any non-compliant UAS operations nor cause Wake Tech to incur any liability therefore.

Related policies, procedures, references, forms or terms

Contact information

Ref: #E0924, C0924

Wake Technical Community College ("Wake Tech" or "the College") may support research by its employees, students and others working on behalf of the College when its aim is furthering Wake Tech's mission, vision, values and goals or when it is designed to develop or contribute to generalized knowledge related to community college education and training. In supporting such research, the College complies with all applicable laws and regulations and adheres to accepted guidelines for the responsible and ethical conduct of research.

This policy applies to all employees, students and agents of Wake Tech conducting research on behalf of the College and to all researchers seeking to use Wake Tech employees and/or students as subjects or to use Wake Tech data. The policy applies primarily to educational research but does not apply to institutional research conducted as part of an employee's everyday job duties. No employee is required to conduct research as a condition of employment unless such duties are explicitly spelled out in a job description.

All research conducted at Wake Tech must comply with applicable laws and regulations and adhere to policies and guidelines for the responsible and ethical conduct of research.

• Research conducted by employees is at the discretion of the College and will be considered based on an employee's job duties and supervisor approval. The supervisor is the Wake Tech sponsor of the research.
• Research conducted by external researchers is also at the discretion of the College and will be considered based on the support and approval of an internal Wake Tech sponsor and the capacity of the College to fulfill any related data or research requests.

• All research using Wake Tech employees, students or data must be approved or exempted by Wake Tech's Institutional Review Board and adhere to Wake Tech's policies.

  Definitions

  Term

  Definition

  Research

  According to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), "Research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge."

  Education research

  Education research is the scientific field of study that examines education and learning processes and the human attributes, interactions, organizations and institutions that shape educational outcomes. (American Educational Research Association). It is the systematic and rigorous process of inquiry applied to educational topics to understand, improve and innovate educational practices (Cohen, Manion and Morrison (2018)).

  Institutional research

  Institutional research is research conducted within an institution of higher education to provide information that supports institutional planning, policy formation and decision making (Association of Institutional Research)

  Agents

  People who are not employees or students at the College but who act on behalf of the College

  Responsible and ethical conduct of research

  According to the National Science Foundation, "The responsible and ethical conduct of research involves not only a responsibility to generate and disseminate knowledge with rigor and integrity, but also a responsibility to conduct peer review with the highest ethical standards, diligently protect proprietary information and intellectual property from inappropriate disclosure and treat students and colleagues fairly and with respect."

  Wake Tech data

  All information that is submitted, created, collected or maintained by Wake Technical Community College through the course of business for which the College is deemed legally responsible

  Human subject

  According to the CFR, "Human subject means a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) is conducting research; obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual and uses, studies or analyzes the information or biospecimens; or obtains, uses, studies, analyzes or generates identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens."

  Institutional Review Board (IRB)

  A standing committee of the College empaneled to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects of research activities conducted by Wake Tech employees, students or agents and to ensure that research conducted by others with Wake Tech students and employees as subjects adheres to applicable regulations for review, approval and oversight

  IRB of record

  The IRB is required by applicable regulations to provide review, approval and oversight to research activities. It is registered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  There are different regulatory requirements for research and related training depending on the researcher, the research, the subject and the sponsor.

  Research requiring Wake Tech institutional review
  If at least one of the researchers involved in the project is a Wake Tech employee, student or agent (person acting on behalf of the College), the researchers should follow Wake Tech's Institutional Review Board process.
  Wake Tech's IRB adheres to guidelines established in federal law and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45: Public Welfare, Subtitle A: Department of Health and Human Services, Subchapter A: General Administration, Part 46: Protection of Human Subjects (45 CFR 46). The key requirements for Wake Tech review are summarized below. However, because federal regulations can change, researchers may want to consult the current official version of the CFR to ensure that they are meeting all up-to-date requirements.
  These Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations apply to research conducted on human subjects and therefore require determination of whether the activity constitutes research AND whether the research involves human subjects.

  • Is the activity research?
    45 CFR 46.102 provides definitions for purposes of this policy.
    Research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities that meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether they are conducted or supported under a program that is considered research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include research activities.
    For purposes of this part, the following activities are deemed not to be research:
    – Scholarly and journalistic activities (e.g., oral history, journalism, biography, literary criticism, legal research and historical scholarship), including the collection and use of information that focus directly on the specific individuals about whom the information is collected
    – Public health surveillance activities, including the collection and testing of information or biospecimens, conducted, supported, requested, ordered, required or authorized by a public health authority. Such activities are limited to those necessary to allow a public health authority to identify, monitor, assess or investigate potential public health signals, onsets of disease outbreaks or conditions of public health importance, including trends, signals, risk factors, patterns in diseases or increases in injuries from using consumer products. Such activities include those associated with providing timely situational awareness and priority setting during the course of an event or crisis that threatens public health, including natural or man-made disasters.
    – Collection and analysis of information, biospecimens or records by or for a criminal justice agency for activities authorized by law or court order solely for criminal justice or criminal investigative purposes.
    – Authorized operational activities, as determined by each agency, in support of intelligence, homeland security, defense or other national security missions.
     
  • Does the activity involve human subjects?
    45 CFR 46 defines human subjects as a living individual about whom an investigator, whether professional or student, is conducting research:
    – Obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual and uses, studies or analyzes the information or biospecimens
    – Obtains, uses, studies, analyzes or generates identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.
     
  • Does the activity require Wake Tech Institutional Review Board consideration?
    If the activity meets the definitions of research on human subjects AND at least one of the researchers is a Wake Tech employee, student or agent of the College, the Wake Tech researcher must submit the forms required for Wake Tech Institutional Review Board consideration.
    If any of the following is true, there is no need to submit forms for Wake Tech Institutional Review Board consideration:
    – The activity does NOT have at least one researcher who is a Wake Tech employee, student or agent.
    – The activity does NOT meet the HHS definition of research.
    – The activity does NOT involve human subjects, as defined by HHS regulations.

  NOTE: Even if the activity does not require Wake Tech IRB consideration, researchers must follow the additional processes below.

  Research requiring review by other institutions
  Activities that meet HHS or other federal agency definitions for human subjects research but that do not involve at least one researcher who is an employee, student or agent of Wake Tech will require review by the researchers' employer, sponsoring organization or an independent institutional review provider. The relevant institutional review board will serve as the IRB of record. Wake Tech's IRB cannot serve the federally required function in these cases.

  Research involving Wake Tech students or employees as subjects
  All activities that meet the definition of research in 45 CFR 46.102 and that involve Wake Tech students or employees as subjects must provide one of the following to Wake Tech's Institutional Review Board:

  • Proof, including copies of any required supporting documentation, of approval of the research study by the IRB of record (either Wake Tech's IRB or an external IRB)
  • Proof, including any required supporting documentation, that the research has been reviewed and determined to be exempt from IRB approval under 45 CFR 46.104: Exempt research.

  All human subject research that involves Wake Tech students or employees as subjects must provide a research summary (see IRB webpage for a template) to Wake Tech's IRB that includes the following:

  • Proof of permission to involve Wake Tech students and/or employees from the appropriate Wake Tech vice president or provost. Wake Tech's IRB contact can assist in identifying.
  • Brief descriptions of the participants in the research project (researchers and subjects) and the location(s) where the research will take place. If the project seeks access to Wake Tech data, not to Wake Tech subjects, a clear description of the requested data is required.
  • A disclosure statement to be provided to Wake Tech subjects that includes:
    – An overview of the key elements and purpose of the study
    – Obligations and rewards for participation, including required actions and time and whether compensation is offered
    – Risks and benefits
    – Explanation of how subjects can opt in and opt out
  • A description of the procedures to be used for data collection, privacy and security that includes:
    – How the research project will ensure that only the investigators identified above or other approved researchers will conduct the research and have access to the raw data
    – How the research process will protect participant confidentiality through one or more appropriate strategies, including using assigned codes rather than participant names; aggregating participant data so no specific data or quotes are attributed to a specific individual; and advising participants of the risk of sharing information in group settings and asking them to protect the confidentiality of others
    – How files (paper or electronic) will be stored in a secure place and will be made available to others only if they demonstrate to Wake Tech compliance with these conditions
    – How electronic and/or paper copies of the student surveys, interviews and responses will be maintained for a period only as long as necessary for this research project, unless the researcher provides assurances to the College that subsequent research is related to this project and will follow these same conditions.

  Research involving Wake Tech data
  All activities that meet the definition of research in 45 CFR 46.102 and that involve Wake Tech data must adhere to all applicable data-protection requirements.

  • Wake Tech employees should review the Security of Student Records (FERPA) policy and Wake Tech's Employee Handbook entries for Acceptable Use Policy, Data Ownership and Responsibility, and Data Protection and Retention. Questions can be directed to Wake Tech's Information Technology Services (ITS) at 919-866-5100 or [email protected].

NOTE: All activities that use Wake Tech data, whether they meet the definition of research or not, are required to meet all applicable laws, regulations and policies related to acceptable use, data ownership and data protection and retention. Questions about non-research-related data use must be directed to Wake Tech's Information Technology Services (ITS) at 919-866-5100 or [email protected].

This policy replaces the former Faculty Research policy.

Related policies, procedures, references, forms or terms

Contact

IRB chair: 919-866-5586 or [email protected]

Ref #E0104

To coordinate the creation and administration of surveys, as well as to ensure the secure collection, analysis, storage and distribution of survey data, this policy is designed to do the following:

• Ensure the use of sound survey methodology, design and analysis
• Prevent survey fatigue by limiting the number and timing of surveys
• Maximize response rates
• Safeguard respondent confidentiality and data security
• Avoid duplication of surveys, survey data and results
• Encourage sharing of survey results

This policy applies to all external, third-party and internal surveys created or administered by Wake Technical Community College ("Wake Tech" or "the College").

Institutional Effectiveness & Research (IE&R) will serve as the College's survey coordinator. All surveys that require student, faculty, staff, alumni or community participation must be requested through the Information Technology Services (ITS) survey request system and coordinated through IE&R. Procedures for survey requests can be found on the IE&R webpage.

The following surveys are exempt from this policy:

• Student evaluations of course instruction
• Faculty-driven classroom surveys meant to assess teaching and learning
• Simple feedback surveys conducted immediately following an event or point of service
• Polling of faculty or staff in individual departments or divisions
• Faculty and staff organizations surveying their membership

Definitions

ITS will do the following:

• Provide a method for requesting surveys through the College's information technology systems
• Maintain and provide oversight of the web-based tool used to administer surveys

IE&R will do the following:

• Coordinate and screen survey requests through the ITS system and among designated survey administrators
• Provide consultation on the development and administration of surveys and analysis of results
• Provide templates and standards for cover letters, introductory statements, survey types and questions
• Return surveys to requestors that meet the criteria of educational research and do not provide documentation of Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval in the survey request. Procedures for IRB submission can be found on the IRB webpage.
• Prioritize and schedule surveys based on the needs of the College, such that data collection is timely and conducted in a manner that minimizes survey fatigue, duplication of effort and disruption to the educational environment

Survey administrators will do the following:

• Use an ITS approved web-based survey tool to develop surveys, provide links to survey requestors and generate reports as needed
• Maintain an archive of surveys in the web-based survey tool
• Coordinate with IE&R when implementing surveys

Survey requestors will do the following:

• Follow the procedures for submitting survey requests
• Outline the intent of the proposed survey, define the target population and clearly define all parties who will receive results, as applicable
• Submit a draft of survey questions
• Agree to follow the data security requirements

All surveys administered at Wake Tech will adhere to the following:

• Confidentiality: Through informed consent, respondents must be informed that their responses will be confidential, but not anonymous, and that their participation is voluntary. Confidentiality indicates that the presented information will not be associated with a specific individual. If email addresses, login credentials or other PII is captured as part of the survey completion process, confidentiality of the data must be assured. All surveys must comply with the: Higher Education Opportunity Act – 2008, Privacy Act of 1974, FERPA, HIPAA, Belmont Report's Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research, the American Association of Educational Research Code of Ethics [5] and the Association of Institutional Research Code of Ethics.
• Data security: The survey requestor is responsible for managing obtained survey data. Survey results will be presented only in aggregate form. Released data will not contain any identifiable respondent data. When presenting survey results, survey requestors are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality of respondents. Additionally, by accepting the authorization to deploy the survey, survey requestors understand and acknowledge that they will have an obligation to use data compiled responsibly, ensuring that data is not redistributed to parties inside or outside the College community, unless clearly detailed when submitting a survey request. No survey responses may be stored, hosted or collected on any technology platform that Wake Tech does not maintain as part of the College network.
• Compliance: Individuals found to be in violation of this policy or engaging in any conduct that violates applicable law shall be subject to disciplinary action, including restriction or possible loss of privileges, suspension, termination or referral to law enforcement.

Related policies, procedures, references, forms or terms