Frequently Asked Questions About Title IX

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a Federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an education, program or activity.

What types of behavior are considered Title IX Sexual Harassment?

Sexual Harassment means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

1. An employee of the recipient conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the recipient on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (Quid Pro Quo);
2. 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 recipient’s education program or activity; or
3. Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence or Stalking as defined in the UMMC Title IX Sexual Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy.

Sexual Assault means an offense classified as a forcible or nonforcible sex offense under the uniform crime reporting system of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including Rape, Fondling, Incest, and Statutory Rape as defined in the UMMC Title IX Sexual Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy.

Rape means the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the Consent of the victim.

Fondling means the touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the Consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving Consent because of his/her age or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental Incapacity.

Incest means sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.

Statutory Rape means sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of Consent.

Dating Violence means violence committed by a person—

Dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse.

Domestic Violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by:

• a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim,
• a person with whom the victim shares a child in common,
• a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner,
• a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of Mississippi or
• any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of Mississippi.

Stalking means engaging in a Course of Conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a Reasonable Person to—

• fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or
• suffer Substantial Emotional Distress.

Where Should I Report Sexual Harassment?

You can report Sexual Harassment (including Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence or Stalking) to the UMMC Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Their contact information is as follows:

Pam Greenwood, Title IX Coordinator
Chris Morgan, Deputy Title IX Coordinator
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 N. State Street
Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: 601-815-7978
Email: TitleIX@umc.edu
Online Form: Report A Concern 

You can also report to:

• UMMC Student Employee Health 
  Phone: 601-984-1185
• UMMC Police and Public Safety Department

• Your Local Police Department

You can receive medical treatment, including a Sexual Assault exam at:

• Any Local Medical Facility

What is the Title IX Process?

Supportive Measures: Regardless of whether you file a Formal Complaint and request an investigation, you will receive supportive measures by the Title IX Coordinator. These supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to the Complainant or the Respondent before or after the filing of a Formal Complaint or where no Formal Complaint has been filed. Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to UMMC’s Education Programs or Activities without unreasonably burdening the other party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or UMMC’s educational environment, or deter sexual harassment.

Supportive measures may include, but are not limited to, counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of work or class schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, changes in work locations, leaves of absence, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus, and other similar measures

Formal Complaint: If a Formal Complaint is filed, the Title IX Grievance Process will be initiated.

Investigation: This includes an equitable investigation for both parties who will each receive Notice of Allegations, Notice of Meetings, Investigative meetings with parties and witnesses, the opportunity to review and respond to the evidence directly related to the allegations, and a written report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence with an opportunity to review and respond to the written report.

Hearing: The hearing will involve an opportunity for the parties’ advisors to cross examine (ask questions of) the parties and witnesses and a decision-maker to determine responsibility and sanctions.

Appeal: Each party will have an equal opportunity to appeal the decision-makers determination using one of the three, limited basis for appeals.

What should I do if I have been accused of Sexual Harassment?

If you have received information, including a Notice of Allegations, stating that you have been accused of Sexual Harassment, you should review the policy in its entirety. You may bring an advisor of your choice to all meetings and hearings throughout the Title IX process.

Who can have an advisor present?

Both parties can have an advisor of their choice, who can but does not have to be an attorney, present for all meetings throughout the Title IX grievance process. During the hearing phase of the grievance process, the parties MUST have an advisor to conduct cross examination. If a party does not have an advisor, one will be appointed by UMMC for them.

If an incident of Sexual Harassment occurs outside of UMMC’s education, program or activity, may UMMC investigate?

Yes, UMMC can investigate Sexual Harassment that occurs outside the UMMC education, program or activity. An investigation may be conducted under the Student or Employee Code of Conduct.

What if I am retaliated against because of my participation in the Title IX grievance process?

UMMC prohibits retaliation including intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including 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 Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or this Policy.

Allegations of retaliation should be reported immediately to the Title IX Coordinator. The allegations of retaliation will be investigated and resolved using the Student or Employee Codes of Conduct.