Essential Policies
Part III
Essential Policies
Student Rights and Responsibilities
The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities promotes student responsibility by encouraging fairness, honesty, integrity, and respect through education and awareness in conjunction with behavioral standards, as well as, supporting individual rights while promoting the development of self-advocacy skills.
Please take time to review the Student Handbook and Code of Student Conduct.
Plagiarism – A violation on the rise in education. Watch the video below to better understand plagiarism and how to avoid it. (Courtesy of GCFLearnFree.org)
Video Source: GCFLEarnFree.org
Click Here to learn more about Plagiarism
Clery Act
The Department of Public Safety prepares an Annual Security Report and compiles local Crime Statistics in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and the Violence Against Women Act. The College must notify all faculty, staff, and enrolled students with the reports annually. Copies of the report may also be obtained in-person by appointment only at the South Texas College Department of Public Safety, located at 2509 W. Pecan Blvd., McAllen, TX 78501 or call 956-872-4444.
Copies of the Annual Security Report and Campus-Specific Crime Statistics can be found on the Clery Act Website and below:
Campus-Specific Crime Statistics:
- Higher Education Center – La Joya
- Mid-Valley Campus
- Nursing Allied Health Campus
- Pecan Campus
- Higher Education Center – Pharr
- Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence
- Starr County Campus
- Technology Campus
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations state 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 received Federal financial assistance.” 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., 34 C.F.R. Part 106. South Texas College strives to maintain a health and safe environment where all members of the community, including students, faculty, and staff feel welcome on its campuses and classrooms. Students, faculty, and staff are thus prohibited from conducting themselves in a way that results in any form of sexual harassment, sex-based harassment, or sexual violence. Policy 4216: Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence, Stalking and Retaliation Prohibited outlines the College’s policy that prohibits sex-based discrimination and harassment, and describes the procedures for reporting, responding, investigating, and resolving such incidents.
South Texas College has been revising our policies in order to comply with the U.S. Department of Education’s new regulations that were issued this past May 2020. Pursuant to Title IX and other new Texas state laws, South Texas College is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy community free of discrimination, as well as to providing a fair and prompt process for those accused of any violations.
FAQs about Title IX
To view the full list of Title IX FAQ’s, as well as available resources and additional information visit the Title IX webpage here.
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a 1972 federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools, colleges, and universities who receive federal funds. Other laws, including Title VII (see Policy 4205), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and Texas State law also prohibit sex and gender discrimination. Although Title IX covers all forms of sex discrimination, the term “Title IX” is often used to refer to the sub-set of policies, procedures, or programs that specifically address sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct.
I’m a student, does Title IX apply to me?
Yes. Title IX protects and holds accountable students, faculty, and staff of all genders. In 2020 the Department of Education issued federal regulations requiring that South Texas College implement specific formal grievance procedures for both employees and students. Additionally, Title IX protects you from discrimination if you are pregnant, become pregnant, give birth, experience a pregnancy loss, and/or need to recover from any of the aforementioned. Click here to learn more and apply for Pregnant and Parenting Services available at South Texas College
How can I report sexual harassment or discrimination?
You can report online by clicking on the “Report an Incident” at the top of the Title IX webpage. Complete the form that best describes your situation and include as much information as you can provide and feel comfortable sharing. You can also submit a report by contacting the Title IX Coordinator at the contact information listed below.
Interim Title IX Coordinator
Todd C. Nelson, J.D.
Contracts & Regulatory Resources Officer
956-872-2307
TitleIX@southtexascollege.edu
What happens after I submit the report?
After a report is submitted, a member of the Title IX Team will reach out to you to explain how to file a formal complaint or will refer your report to the correct process. NOTE: The person who is alleged to have committed the conduct (called the “Respondent”) will not be contacted unless and until you submit a formal complaint.
What happens after I submit a formal complaint?
Once the Title IX Coordinator receives a complaint, several steps happen:
· The Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the Complainant to offer supportive measures.
· The Title IX Coordinator will ensure that the complaint is filed correctly or refer it to the correct process.
· The Title IX Coordinator will determine whether emergency removal of the Respondent is necessary.
· The Title IX Coordinator will notify the Respondent of the complaint, in writing, also copying the Complainant.
· The Title IX Coordinator will notify each party of their rights, including the right to an Advisor of their choice in the process.
· The Title IX Coordinator will initiate an investigation, if appropriate.
What if I’m not sure about reporting sexual harassment?
Reports can be filed anonymously online here. If you are unsure about filing a report, you may seek confidential Counseling Services or speak privately with an Ombudsperson about your options. Additionally, South Texas College has a memorandum of understanding (or “MOU”) with Mujeres Unidas to serve students. Please visit the Mujeres Unidas website here for more information.
Pursuant to Texas state law, South Texas College encourages all victims of sexual violence to seek immediate resources for treatment and to preserve evidence at a local hospital. Resource information is available here under “Student Resources” or contact the Title IX Coordinator if you need help making any of these connections or for assistance with reports to law enforcement.
What if I change my mind about filing a report?
The Title IX Team has established procedures for the Complainant to request to withdraw a complaint, in whole or in part. Email TitleIX@southtexascollege.edu or call 956-872-2307 for more information.
What if I am the Respondent accused of sexual harassment?
Both you and the complainant will be permitted to have advisor of your choice to help them navigate the formal grievance process. A trained and impartial investigator will conduct an investigation. Both you and the complainant will be interviewed as well as any relevant witnesses identified by you, the complainant, or the investigator. A formal hearing will be conducted by a trained and impartial hearing officer or hearing panel who have not been involved with any other part of the process. All communications between you and your advisor will remain confidential. Additionally, you may seek confidential Counseling Services or speak privately with an Ombudsperson.
Do I have to face the other party at a live hearing?
No. Especially during times of social distancing, but also anytime, parties will always have the option for hearings to be conducted remotely via Zoom or Teams or other similar options. The College will assist parties and their advisors with any technological needs so that all parties can fully and fairly participate in the hearing.
Victim’s Rights Statement pursuant to Texas House Bill HB 1735
All victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking have the right to report an incident and to a prompt and equitable resolution of reports. Victims of a crime have the right to choose whether to report the crime to law enforcement, to be assisted by the College in reporting the crime, or to decline to report the crime to law enforcement. South Texas College stressed the importance of going to a hospital for treatment and preservation of evidence as soon as practicable after incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking, if applicable. For more information on the procedure for resolution of complaints of sexual misconduct click here.
University of Alabama at Birmingham Title IX video
To contact our Title IX office click on the button below.
Campus Carry
The 84th Legislative Session, Senate Bill 11, Campus Carry law concerning concealed carry became effective on August 1, 2017 for South Texas College.
The 84th Legislative Session, House Bill 910, Open Carry law took effect in the state of Texas on January 1, 2016, but does not apply to university or college campuses, therefore the open carry of handguns is not allowed on college property.
Non-Discrimination Notice
South Texas College is an equal education and equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. South Texas College does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, parental status, disabilities, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law. Conduct that excludes participation, denies benefits or subjects others to discrimination is prohibited. South Texas College complies with all applicable policies and state and federal legislation in order to combat discrimination.
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