VCOM Faculty Handbook

Acts of Discrimination, Harassment and Violence All students or employees reporting acts of discrimination, harassment, and/or violence should meet with HR, administration, or faculty support administration to assure they are free from any further insult that could occur. VCOM seeks to strengthen the right to a workplace free of discrimination, harassment, and violence. VCOM maintains records of any discrimination, harassment, or violence complaints in the Human Resource office and discloses statistics of crimes reported to campus security authorities and local police agencies when they involve significant crimes against persons and personal property. In addition, VCOM provides this information for prospective students, families, and employees and potential employees of the institutions, so they may be better informed about the campus’s safety and procedures. VCOM policies include an annual notification of these policies and periodic faculty and staff development for all faculty and college officials on issues related to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. VCOM considers discrimination, harassment, and violence serious concerns on any campus. VCOM provides for prompt, fair, and impartial disciplinary proceedings by assuring that, among other protections: • officials are appropriately trained and do not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against the accuser or the accused; • the accuser and the accused have equal opportunities to have others present, including an advisor of their choice; • the accuser and the accused receive simultaneous notification, in writing, of the allegations, grievance process, the result of the proceeding and any available appeal procedures; • the proceeding will be completed in a reasonably prompt timeframe; • the accuser and accused are given timely notice of meetings at which one or the other or both may be present; and • the accuser and the accused, and appropriate officials, are given timely access to information that will be used after the fact-finding investigation but during any informal and formal disciplinary meetings and hearings. Violation of the Discrimination, Harassment, and Violence Policy Any individual violating the policy against discrimination, harassment, and violence may be subject to disciplinary action including but not limited to, reprimand suspension, dismissal, or termination. Failure by anyone vested with the responsibility to report allegations of discrimination, harassment, or violence is considered a violation of this policy. It is the intent of this policy to comply with the requirements under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, the Title IX Final Rule, as well as other applicable statutory laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Virginia, State of South Carolina, State of North Carolina, State of Alabama, and State of Louisiana. Discrimination VCOM recognizes, values, and affirms that diversity contributes richness to the college and enhances the quality of education. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators are valued for their diversity. VCOM is committed to providing an academic and employment environment in which all people are treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity. It is the policy of VCOM that no person shall, including on the basis of sex, be discriminated in, or be denied the benefits of, any education program or activity that it operates, and any such discrimination is expressly prohibited. This requirement not to discriminate is required by Title IX and Part 106 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations and extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be directed to the VCOM Title IX Coordinators, to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

VCOM’s commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination includes and extends far beyond the federally protected

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