Title IX and Sexual Harassment

Title IX and Sexual Harassment Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) is committed to providing an environment free from dis​crimination on the basis of sex. LSSC provides resources to students, faculty and staff to address concerns relating to discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes sexual misconduct. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which enforces Title IX, has recently provided detailed guidance​ on how educational institutions, like LSSC, must investigate and respond to complaints of sexual assault and sexual harassment. ​

Title IX Contacts

Want to speak to someone about sexual misconduct and LSSC’s Title IX procedure? Reach out to a campus Title IX Coordinator. These individuals are trained to answer your questions and refer you to additional support as needed.​
 

Prohibited Conduct

LSSC’s Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Procedure prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on an individual’s Protected Status, including, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, and any other factor protected under applicable federal state, and local civil rights laws, rules and regulations. In addition, this procedure prohibits related misconduct, including sexual assault sexual exploitation, interpersonal violence, stalking, complicity, and retaliation. Consistent with the definitions provided in LSSC’s Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Procedure, conduct that constitutes discrimination and harassment based on Protected Status:

  • May be blatant and involve an overt action, threat, or reprisal; or may be subtle and indirect, with a coercive aspect that is unstated but implied.
  • May or may not include intent to harm.
  • May not always be directed at a specific individual.
  • May be committed by anyone, regardless of Protected Status, position, or authority.
  • May be committed by a stranger, an acquaintance, or someone with whom the Reporting Party has a current or previous relationship, including a romantic or sexual relationship.
  • May be committed by or against an individual or by or against an organization or group.
  • May occur in the classroom, in the workplace, or in any other setting.
  • May be a pattern of behavior or, if sufficiently severe, a one-time event.
  • May be committed in the presence of others, when the Reporting Party and Responding Party are alone, or through remote communications, including email, text messages, or social media.
  • May take the form of threats, assault, property damage, economic abuse, and violence or threats of violence.
  • May include harassing or retaliatory behavior directed to a sexual or romantic partner, family member, or friend of the Reporting Party.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Lake-Sumter State College assures civil rights for its students, employees, visitors, and contractors. LSSC prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, or genetic information in any of its programs, activities, employment, and contracts.

For inquiries or complaints, please contact Rebecca Nathanson, Title IX Coordinator/Executive Director of Campus Safety, at nathansr@lssc.edu; (352) 323-3615; Student Services Building, Suite 151, 9501 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg, FL 34788.

Inquiries or complaints may also be directed by mail to the US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Atlanta Office, 61 Forsyth St. SW Suite 19T10, Atlanta, GA 30303-8927.

Scope and Applicability of the Procedure

Persons Covered

This procedure and associated procedures apply to the conduct of and protect College students, employees, interns, volunteers, and visitors. The non-discrimination provisions also apply to contractors and other third parties under circumstances within the College’s control.

When used in this Procedure, Reporting Party refers to any individual who may have been the subject of any Prohibited Conduct by an individual or organization covered under the Procedure, regardless of whether the Reporting Party makes a report or seeks action under the Procedure. Responding Party refers to any individual who has been alleged to have violated the Procedure.

Locations Covered

This Procedure applies to all Prohibited Conduct that occurs on campus (including campuses, centers, and other property owned or leased by the College). It also applies to Prohibited Conduct that occurs off campus, including online or electronic conduct, if the conduct occurs in the context of an employment or education program or activity of the College, has continuing adverse effects on campus, or has continuing adverse effects in an off-campus employment or education program or activity. Examples of covered off-campus conduct include conduct that occurs at College-sponsored events and activities, during college-sponsored travel, or in internship/experiential learning programs.

In determining whether the College has jurisdiction over off-campus conduct that is not part of an educational program or activity of the College, and in evaluating “continuing adverse effects” the Title IX Coordinator will consider the seriousness of the alleged conduct, the risk of harm involved, whether both parties are members of the campus community, whether the off-campus conduct is part of a series of actions that occurred both on and off campus, the nature/scope of the continuing effect on campus, and whether the alleged conduct has created a hostile environment.

Regardless of when, where, and with whom the conduct occurred, the College will offer reasonably available resources and assistance to individuals covered by this Procedure who report or experience Prohibited Conduct. In cases of Sexual Assault, Interpersonal Violence, and Stalking, if the Responding Party is not a member of the College community, the College will also assist the Reporting Party in identifying and contacting external law enforcement agencies and community resources.