Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Statement and Information

Lower Columbia College does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in admission and employment. Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations.

Harassment is defined as a form of discrimination consisting of physical or verbal conduct that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual because of their membership in a protected class or their perceived membership in a protected class. Harassment occurs when the conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it has the effect of altering the terms or conditions of employment or substantially limiting the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the College’s educational and/or social programs and/or student housing.

Title IX helps to foster safe and respectful college environments that better protect students, faculty, and staff from incidents of sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual violence, relationship violence, and abuse.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the College's Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both. The College's Title IX Coordinator is:

  Kendra Sprague, Vice President of Foundation, HR & Legal Affairs, Title IX/EEO Coordinator

  Office: Administration Building, Rm. 122

  Lower Columbia College, 1600 Maple Street, Longview, WA 98632

  (360) 442-2121
  title9@lowercolumbia.edu
  TTY/Video Relay Service: 7-1-1 or (800) 833-6388

Sex discrimination includes Sex-based Harassment and occurs when there is more than de minimis (insignificant) harm to an individual by treating them differently from an otherwise similarly situated individual based on: sex stereotypes; sex characteristics; pregnancy or related conditions; sexual orientation; and gender identity.

Sex-based harassment is a type of Sex Discrimination that occurs when there is the following discriminatory conduct on the basis of sex:

• Quid pro quo harassment: An employee, agent, or other person authorized by the College to provide an aid, benefit, or service under the College’s education program or activity explicitly or implicitly conditioning the provision of such an aid, benefit, or service on a person’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
• Hostile environment: Unwelcome sex-based conduct that, based on the totality of the circumstances, is subjectively and objectively offensive and is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the recipient’s education program or activity (i.e., creates a hostile environment). Whether a hostile environment has been created is a fact-specific inquiry that includes consideration of the following:
  1. The degree to which the conduct affected the Complainant’s ability to access the recipient’s education program or activity;
  2. The type, frequency, and duration of the conduct;
  3. The parties’ ages, roles within the recipient’s education program or activity, previous interactions, and other factors about each Party that may be Relevant to evaluating the effects of the conduct;
  4. The location of the conduct and the context in which the conduct occurred; and
  5. Other sex-based harassment in the recipient’s education program or activity.

Sexual violence is a form of sexual discrimination and harassment. Nonconsensual sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sexual contact (fondling), incest, statutory rape, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are all types of sexual violence.

Sex discrimination includes Sex-based Harassment and occurs when there is more than de minimis (insignificant) harm to an individual by treating them differently from an otherwise similarly situated individual based on: sex stereotypes; sex characteristics; pregnancy or related conditions; sexual orientation; and gender identity.

Sex-based harassment is a type of Sex Discrimination that occurs when there is the following discriminatory conduct on the basis of sex:

• Quid pro quo harassment: An employee, agent, or other person authorized by the College to provide an aid, benefit, or service under the College’s education program or activity explicitly or implicitly conditioning the provision of such an aid, benefit, or service on a person’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
• Hostile environment: Unwelcome sex-based conduct that, based on the totality of the circumstances, is subjectively and objectively offensive and is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the recipient’s education program or activity (i.e., creates a hostile environment). Whether a hostile environment has been created is a fact-specific inquiry that includes consideration of the following:
  1. The degree to which the conduct affected the Complainant’s ability to access the recipient’s education program or activity;
  2. The type, frequency, and duration of the conduct;
  3. The parties’ ages, roles within the recipient’s education program or activity, previous interactions, and other factors about each Party that may be Relevant to evaluating the effects of the conduct;
  4. The location of the conduct and the context in which the conduct occurred; and
  5. Other sex-based harassment in the recipient’s education program or activity.

Sexual violence is a form of sexual discrimination and harassment. Nonconsensual sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sexual contact (fondling), incest, statutory rape, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are all types of sexual violence.

• Learn more at Title IX and Sexual Misconduct

English

• LCC Administrative Policy 235: Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment
• Procedure 235.1A Discrimination and Harassment - Grievance Procedure
• Procedure 235.2A Title IX Investigation Procedure

Spanish

• Política administrativa 235 - No Discriminación y Antiacoso
• Procedimiento 235.1A No discriminación y Anti-acoso - Procedimiento de quejas
• Procedimiento 235.2A - Título IX Procedimiento De Investigación

To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please use LCC's Make a Report system.

Please also use LCC's Make a Report system if you observe or experience harassment, discrimination, bias, misconduct, or threatening behavior.

LCC is committed to fostering a safe learning and working environment for students and employees in compliance with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and other legislation.

Learn more:

• Keeping Each Other Safe: Working Together to End Sexual Violence

Depending on the situation, different versions of the statement listed above may be used in college publications and other materials. For assistance, please contact the Office of Effectiveness and College Relations.

• Continuous Notice
• Abbreviated Notice