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Title IX

Information on Title IX

Download the Title IX Student Policy and Procedure and Complaint Form
Who To Contact

Reporting Sexual Misconduct

Reporting Options

Students and employees who have experienced sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other sexual misconduct are referred to as complainants. Complainants interested in reporting an allegation of sexual misconduct have the choice to report to local law enforcement, to ArtCenter, to neither, or to both. Supportive measures and confidential resources are available to all ArtCenter community members regardless of whether or not the full details of an alleged incident are reported to the College. There is no time limit for a complainant to report alleged sexual misconduct to ArtCenter.

It is important to note that any individual who discloses personally identifiable details of alleged sexual misconduct with any ArtCenter employee other than a licensed counselor in Student Mental Health Counseling Services should expect those details to be disclosed with the Title IX Coordinator because all ArtCenter employees outside of Counseling Services are designated as mandated reporters. The College is committed to responding promptly to all allegations shared with the Title IX Coordinator or other member of the Title IX Team.

Any person may report sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other sexual misconduct to ArtCenter’s Title IX Coordinator, regardless of whether or not the person is the recipient of the alleged behavior. Such reports may be made at any time, including outside of business hours, using the following contact information:

Brittany Raygoza
Director of Title IX Compliance and Programs
Brittany.raygoza@artcenter.edu
626 396-2340

The Title IX Coordinator and the rest of the Title IX Team are working remotely in compliance with state and College requirements due to COVID-19. Reports may be made via email, phone, or video conference. When administrative offices return to on-campus operations, the Title IX Coordinator’s office is located on the bridge at the Hillside Campus at 1700 Lida Street, Pasadena, CA 91103.

Reports and Formal Complaints

In compliance with Title IX regulations, ArtCenter distinguishes between reporting alleged sexual misconduct and filing a formal complaint. Reporting or providing notice of potential incidents allows the College to provide supportive measures to the complainant, but does not necessarily result in the initiation of a formal grievance process. Filing a formal complaint initiates a formal grievance process, including a formal investigation, hearing, and appeal opportunity. All complainants who report incidents of potential sexual misconduct or make a formal complaint are offered individualized supportive measures.

How does ArtCenter respond to reports or allegations of sexual misconduct?

After receiving notice of alleged sexual misconduct, the Title IX Coordinator seeks to identify and promptly contact the complainant to schedule an intake meeting to explain available options and resources, including the availability of supportive measures with or without the filing of a formal complaint. In this meeting, the Title IX Coordinator or designee informs the complainant of the general principles of the Sexual Misconduct Policy, including the right to have an advisor throughout the process and the right to seek another process outside of ArtCenter, such as filing a report with local law enforcement. The complainant will also receive written information and contact information for available resources. The complainant may have an advisor of their choice accompany them during this meeting. During this meeting, the Title IX Coordinator seeks to determine if the complainant wishes to file a formal complaint and will assist them in doing so, if desired. The filing of a formal complaint obligates the College to investigate allegations listed in the complaint.

What is a formal complaint?

A formal complaint is a document signed by a complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging a violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy by named respondent(s) and requesting that the ArtCenter formally investigate the allegation(s). A formal complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, or by electronic mail. In order to be considered a formal complaint, a document filed by a complainant must be in writing either on paper or electronically and must contain the complainant’s physical or digital signature or otherwise indicate that the complainant is the person filing the formal complaint for the purpose of initiating a formal process at the College. If allegations are submitted in a form that does not meet the definition of a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will contact the complainant to ensure that a formal complaint is filed correctly, if that is the complainant’s intent. Formal complaints are not necessary to access supportive measures, but they are necessary to initiate a formal grievance process.

Anonymous Complaints

Any ArtCenter community member can submit an anonymous report by calling EthicsPoint at 866-489-3018. Note that anonymous reports may prompt a need for ArtCenter to investigate, but a complainant’s decision to remain anonymous may greatly limit the College’s ability to stop the alleged misconduct or collect relevant information. ArtCenter offers supportive measures to all complainants, but when a report is received anonymously, the College is not able to offer such resources. Reporting does not carry an obligation to initiate a formal response, and as the College respects complainant requests to dismiss complaints unless there is a compelling threat to health and/or safety. For these reasons, all members of the community are encouraged to report to the Title IX Coordinator to discuss their concerns, as complainants are largely in control of any process that may follow and should not fear a loss of privacy by making a report that allows the College to discuss and/or provide supportive measures.

Mandated reporting

With the exception of licensed counselors working in Student Mental Health Counseling Services, any ArtCenter employee who knows or has reason to know of allegations or acts that may constitute a violation of the Sexual Misconduct Policy is required to immediately inform the Title IX Coordinator of all relevant information regarding the allegation, including the names of those involved, even if the person who initially disclosed information to the employee requested confidentiality. An employee’s failure to report potential violations of this Policy in a timely manner may result in discipline, including and up to termination of their employment. Student employees who receive information about alleged sexual misconduct in the course of their job duties must report such information to the Title IX Coordinator.

Employees with a mandated duty to report are not able to promise confidentiality to anyone reporting sexual misconduct, but must respect the privacy of those involved by sharing information only with those who have a legitimate need to know, which includes the Title IX Coordinator and appropriate deputies or designees.

Contact Information for Medical Care and Police

Individuals interested in a forensic exam (also known as a “rape kit”) may do so 365 days a year at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. Information can be best collected from forensic exams if the exam is conducted as soon as possible after an alleged incident. More information about reporting to hospitals and preserving evidence for a forensic exam can be found in the Sexual Misconduct Policy.
San Gabriel Valley Medical Center
438 West Las Tunas Drive,
San Gabriel, CA 91776
877-209-3049

Individuals have the right to report, or not to report, allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement. ArtCenter will always support an individual who wishes to make a report to the police or other local authorities.
Pasadena Police Department
207 Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
General Contact Number: 626-744-4501
Non-Emergency Response: 626-744-4241
Emergency: 911

Filing a Grievance with the U.S. Department of Education

Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination always have the right to file a formal grievance with government authorities. Students may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). ArtCenter employees, including student employees, may also file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) or the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”).

Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Headquarters
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline #: (800) 421-3481
Facsimile: (202) 453-6012
TDD#: (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr

Office for Civil Rights, California Office
U.S. Department of Education
50 United Nations Plaza
Mail Box 1200, Room 1545
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 486-5555
Fax: (415) 486-5570
TDY: (800) 877-8339
Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov
Web: www.ed.gov/ocr

Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
Email: contact.center@dfeh.ca.gov
Web: www.dfeh.ca.gov

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
1-800-669-4000
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122
Los Angeles District Office
Roybal Federal Building
255 East Temple St., 4th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Web: www.eeoc.gov