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Office of Gender Equity and Access

Kalamazoo College is committed to ensuring an academic and work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. To that end, the College prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, height, weight, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 

Kalamazoo College’s Policy Against Harassment prohibits sex discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as well as sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. This commitment applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in Kalamazoo College programs and activities.

About

The Office of Gender Equity and Access is a resource for all members of Kalamazoo College’s community. As part of Kalamazoo College’s commitment to preventing and providing meaningful, supportive responses to sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct, OGEA aspires to be a catalyst of change in advancing a culture of equity and support and fostering a climate that values respect, dignity, and safety free from fears of retaliation or reprisal.

The Office of Gender Equity and Access is responsible for oversight and coordination of Kalamazoo College’s Title IX compliance as well as the Policy Against Harassment and Student Disability Grievance Procedure, including:

  • Ensuring prompt, equitable, and impartial processes for all students, faculty, and staff.
  • Handling investigations of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking reports.
  • Coordinating effective, supportive responses to reports of sex discrimination and sexual misconduct.
  • Facilitating the implementation of supportive measures and other accommodations.
  • Identifying and addressing patterns of complaints.
  • Collaborating with other offices to assess the campus climate around issues of sex discrimination and sexual misconduct.
  • Coordinating informal resolution processes.
  • Overseeing the formal resolution, grievance process (such as hearings).
  • Collaborating with other offices to offer awareness campaigns and prevention programs.
  • Collaborating with Athletics and other offices to create and/or maintain equity in sports.
  • Resolving disability related grievances under the Student Disability Grievance Procedure.

The Office of Gender Equity and Access is also responsible for oversight of Kalamazoo College’s Minors on Campus Policy.

How do I submit a report or concern?

Reports may be submitted in person, by mail, by telephone, by electronic mail, or through Kalamazoo College’s reporting form. Reports may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number, email, online reporting form, or by mail to the Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be submitted in person at the Office of Gender Equity and Access during or after business hours.

Tanya Jachimiak, J.D., Director, Office of Gender Equity and Access, Title IX Coordinator, Upjohn Library Commons, Room 217, 1200 Academy Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006, 269.337.7480, Tanya.Jachimiak@kzoo.edu

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. This law protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that:

“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.”

20 U.S.C. § 1681

Title IX prohibits sex discrimination (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) in all college programs and activities as well as prohibits sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Title IX applies to every aspect of education from a student’s application until their graduation, including course offerings, counseling, financial assistance, student health, student housing, marital and parental status of students, physical education, athletics, student conduct involving sex discrimination or sexual harassment (in any of its forms), and all other educational programs and activities. Title IX also prohibits sex discrimination and sexual harassment (in all its forms) in employment. Title IX generally applies to students, faculty, and staff. Title IX regulations may be found at 34 C.F.R. Part 106.

Where do I find Kalamazoo College’s policies and related information?