Title IX Non-Discrimination Policies and Procedures

Trinity Christian College adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. In employment, in access to educational opportunities, and in all other areas of college life, Trinity Christian College prohibits unlawful harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, gender or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any resolution process on campus or within the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other human rights agencies.

As a religious institution, Trinity Christian College reserves the right to make employment and hiring decisions on the basis of religious criteria, based on the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and various relevant statutes.

Any member of the campus community who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the educational, employment, residential and/or social access, benefits, and/or opportunities of any member of the campus community, guest, or visitor on the basis of their actual or perceived membership in the protected classes listed above is in violation of the Trinity Christian College policy on nondiscrimination.  When brought to the attention of Trinity Christian College, any such discrimination will be appropriately addressed and remedied by Trinity Christian College according to the appropriate Process. Non-members of the campus community who engage in discriminatory actions within Trinity Christian College programs or on Trinity Christian College property are not under the jurisdiction of this policy, but can be subject to actions that limit their access and/or involvement with Trinity Christian College programs as a result of their misconduct. All vendors serving Trinity Christian College through third-party contracts are subject by those contracts to this policy.

Trinity has implemented this policy for the purpose of prohibition of all forms of discrimination. Sometimes, discrimination involves exclusion from or different treatment in activities, such as admission, athletics, or employment. Other times, discrimination takes the form of harassment or, in the case of sex-based discrimination, can encompass sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, sexual exploitation, dating violence or domestic violence. When an alleged violation of the non-discrimination policy is reported, the allegations are subject to resolution using Trinity Christian College’s “Process A” or “Process B,” as determined by the Title IX Coordinator, and as detailed in the policy.

Inquiries about and reports regarding this policy and procedure may be made internally to:

Julia Foust
Director of Human Resources & Title IX Coordinator
6601 W. College Dr
Palos Heights IL 60463
Julia.Foust@trnty.edu
708-293-4608
Office: 1st Floor, Groot Hall

Kara Van Marion
Dean of Student Life & Deputy Title IX Coordinator
6601 W. College Dr
Palos Heights, IL 60463
Kara.VanMarion@trnty.edu
708-239-3718
Office: 2nd Floor, Huizenga Memorial Library

Inquiries may be made externally to:

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 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, Chicago Office
U.S. Department of Education
Citigroup Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
Telephone: (312) 730-1560
Facsimile: (312) 730-1576
Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov
OCR.Mail@hhs.gov (for non-privacy related inquiries)

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Contact: http://www.eeoc.gov/contact/

Reports of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation may be made by anyone using any of the following options.  There is no time limitation on the filing of reports. However, if the responding party is no longer subject to Trinity Christian College’s jurisdiction, the ability to investigate, respond, and provide remedies may be more limited:

  1. File a complaint with, or give verbal notice to, the Title IX Coordinator or any Deputy Title IX Coordinator, as outlined above. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or email address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator or any other official listed.
  2. Report online, using the reporting form posted at https://www.trnty.edu/non-discrimination-policies/             Anonymous reports are accepted but can give rise to a need to investigate. Trinity Christian College tries to provide supportive measures to all Complainants, which is impossible with an anonymous report. Because reporting carries no obligation to initiate a formal response, and as Trinity Christian College respects Complainant requests to dismiss complaints unless there is a compelling threat to health and/or safety, the Complainant is largely in control and should not fear a loss of privacy by making a report that allows Trinity Christian College to discuss and/or provide supportive measures.

A Formal Complaint means a document submitted or signed by the Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging a policy violation by a Respondent and requesting that Trinity Christian College investigate the allegation(s). As used in this paragraph, the phrase “A Formal Complaint” means a document or electronic submission (such as by electronic mail) that contains the Complainant’s physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicates that the Complainant is the person filing the complaint, and requests that Trinity Christian College investigate the allegations. Verbal notice, emailed notice or reports made online will not be considered formal complaints until this document with physical or digital signature is completed.

If notice is submitted in a form that does not meet this standard, the Title IX Coordinator will contact the Complainant to ensure that it is filed correctly.

This policy and procedure was updated in September, 2022.

Use and adaptation of this model with citation to the Ncherm Group, LLC/Atixa is permitted through a license to Trinity Christian College

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