Sexual Violence & Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities including academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of schools.

This prohibition includes discrimination against pregnant and parenting students.

Students may request adjustments based on general pregnancy needs or accommodations based on a pregnancy-related complication. See below for more information on each process.

• Download the PDF with examples of requests and how to request accommodations.

Contacts, Resources and How to File a Report

What do I do if I have experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment on campus or involving Minneapolis College?

Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads:

“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.”

Legal Citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)

Sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct are antithetical to the commitments of Minneapolis College and constitute unlawful sex discrimination. All forms of sexual misconduct are prohibited by Minneapolis College.

To submit an online report of sexual violence that involves two or more Minneapolis College community members (students, staff, faculty, administrators), please use this link.

Student contact

Patrick Troup
Vice President of Student Affairs
Location: K.2103
Email: patrick.troup@minneapolis.edu
Phone: 612-659-6712

Employee contact

Bobbie Denson Davis
Vice President of Human Resources and Workforce Equity
K.2105
Bobbi.Davis@minneapolis.edu
612-659-6572

Public Safety

For immediate concerns or emergencies while on campus please contact Public Safety

Location: Public Safety, R.3100 (public safety desk is located on the parking ramp side of the T Building skyway)
Phone: 612-659-6900

Resources

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, you may contact Counseling Services and schedule an appointment at 612-659-6709 or with the Student Health Clinic at 612-659-6384.

Additionally, Resources are listed below in this webpage that may be helpful. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and appearance on the list does indicate a recommendation by Minneapolis College.

NOTICE:

On September 22, 2017, the United Stated Department of Education announced it would withdraw previous guidance regarding issues involving sexual harassment and sexual violence (otherwise known as Title IX) on college campuses. The previous guidance provided colleges with some specific steps to take in these situations as well as a specific standard of proof. 

Despite the recent announcement, Minneapolis Community and Technical College (Minneapolis College) and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities continue to be fully committed to providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for our students, staff, faculty and others in our community. Sexual violence is an intolerable act committed against an individual that intrudes into the most personal and private rights of the victim. It is prohibited at all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Minneapolis College reaffirms its commitment to eliminating issues relating to sexual harassment and sexual violence and will take appropriate action against any individual found responsible for such acts. The College will continue to provide a method for reporting issues involving sexual harassment, sexual violence and other related behaviors. Should you or someone you know, within the Minneapolis College community, experience sexual harassment or sexual violence involving another Minneapolis College member or on campus, you may report it on the File a Report of Sexual Violence above.

For additional information about receiving counseling or other support stemming from such an experience, please contact the Counseling Department at 612-659-6709, visit the Counseling webpage or contact a provider through the Boynton Health Service Clinic webpage.

This page provides information and resources regarding the important issues of sexual violence and sexual harassment. It also contains contact information for persons who can assist in the unlikely event that you should experience or observe this on the Minneapolis College campus.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in an educational institution. It states in part:

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.

Minneapolis College, Minnesota State and the U.S. Government take the issues of sexual violence and sexual harassment very seriously. In fact, in January 2014, the White House Task Force to Protect Student from Sexual Assault was formed. The Task Force submitted its first report regarding the topic, called Not Alone, in April 2014. The report may be accessed at the Department of Justice Archives.

Sexual violence is an intolerable intrusion into the most personal and private rights of an individual, and is prohibited at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is committed to eliminating sexual violence in all forms and will take appropriate remedial action against any individual found responsible for acts in violation of this policy. Acts of sexual violence may also constitute violations of criminal or civil law, or other Board Policies that may require separate proceedings. To further its commitment against sexual violence, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities provides reporting options, an investigative and disciplinary process, and prevention training or other related services as appropriate.

What is sexual violence?

Sexual violence is, as defined by Minneapolis College and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minnesota State), “a continuum of conduct that includes sexual assault, non-forcible sex acts, dating and relationship violence, stalking, as well as aiding acts of sexual violence.”

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault includes a number of sexual acts or attempted acts done, without consent. It also includes acts that don’t require touching such as indecent exposure and voyeurism. View the full policy.

What is consent?

Consent is informed, freely given and mutually understood. Among other things, there is no consent if the victim is coerced, intimidated, threatened or physical force is used. Likewise, there is no consent if the victim is mentally or physically incapacitated or impaired (including impairment due to alcohol, drugs, sleep or unconsciousness). View the full policy.

1 in 4 women and 1 in 17 men will be victims of attempted or completed sexual violence while in college (National Institute of Justice).

Things we wish everybody knew*: 

• Sexual assault happens
• Offenders are often regular guys
• False reports are not common
• Alcohol will more likely than not be involved
• Victims may not call it rape
• Trauma responses vary
• There is no typical victim.

*Adapted from Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MnCASA), Sexual Violence Justice Institute, Understanding the Dynamics of Sexual Assault on Campus.

Sexual Harassment is covered in the college's non-discrimination policy. Read the full policy.

Minneapolis College Policy Statement

Minneapolis Community and Technical College is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and education opportunity. No person shall be discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment, personnel practices, or access to and participation in, programs, services, and activities with regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. In addition, discrimination in employment based on membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law is prohibited.

Harassment on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression is prohibited. Harassment may occur in a variety of relationships, including faculty and student, supervisor and employee, student and student, staff and student, employee and employee, and other relationships with persons having business at, or visiting the educational or working environment.

What kind of conduct is covered by the policy?

This policy is directed at verbal or physical conduct that constitutes discrimination/harassment under state and federal law and is not directed at the content of speech. In cases in which verbal statements and other forms of expression are involved, Minneapolis Community and Technical College will give due consideration to an individual's constitutionally protected right to free speech and academic freedom. However, discrimination and harassment are not within the protections of academic freedom or free speech.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College shall maintain and encourage full freedom, within the law, of expression, inquiry, teaching and research. Academic freedom comes with a responsibility that all members of our education community benefit from it without intimidation, exploitation or coercion.

Local

Advocacy/Victim Awareness

• The Aurora Center
  Victims/survivors/concerned people of sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking.
• Battered Women's Legal Advocacy Project: see StandPoint below.
• Canvas Health
  Helping people who struggle with mental illness, substance use, unstable housing, trauma, and abuse.
• Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center
  Central MN Sexual Assault Center (CMSAC) is a 24hour crisis intervention agency providing direct services to those people affected by any form of sexual violence.
• Cornerstone Advocacy Service
  Cornerstone’s ultimate goal is to reduce the prevalence of interpersonal, domestic, sexual, and dating violence.
• Day One MN-Domestic Violence Crisis Line
• DOJ: Office on Violence Against Women
• Domestic Abuse Project
  The Domestic Abuse Project dedicates its resources to breaking the cycle of violence and helping families transform from crisis to healthy and safe relationships.
• MNCASA
  Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• Pave project (Formerly known as the Pave the Way Project)
  Resources and information for teens who are victims or at risk of becoming victims of dating violence.
• Sexual Violence Center
  Mission to eradicate sexual violence and abuse.
• StandPoint
  Attorneys & Advocates against domestic violence (formerly Battered Women's Legal Advocacy Project).
• Survivor Resources
  Committed to providing immediate and long-term emotional support and help for those affected by an unexpected death through homicide, suicide or accident.
• Turningpoint.
  Turningpoint’s number one priority is to serve our sexual and domestic violence victims and survivors to the best of our ability.

AIDS

• Just Us Health (formerly MN Aids Project).

Educational/Awareness

• Center for Grief and Loss (formerly known as Grief Support For Twin City Adults)
  Through encouragement and education, we help those in pain to understand and express grief, and most of all, begin moving forward.
• The Dwelling Place Shelter
  A non-denominational, faith-based domestic abuse organization offering a 12-month transitional housing program for women and children. Services for our residents include: support groups, parenting education, individual and family therapy, case management, financial education, and career counseling.
• The Family Partnership
• Grief Support for Twin Cities Adults
  Through encouragement and education, we help those in pain to understand and express grief, and most of all, begin moving forward.
• Harriet Tubman Center
• Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community
  An organization focused on the unique circumstances of African Americans as they face issues related to domestic violence, including intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder maltreatment, and community violence.
• Mending the Sacred Hoop
  Offers training and technical assistance to American Indian and Alaskan Native communities in the effort to eliminate violence in the lives of women and their children.
• MN Family Planning + STD Hotline
  Confidential source of family planning and sexual health.
• National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence: ALIANZA
  Dedicated to helping society recognize and eliminate domestic violence in Latino communities and to providing training, resources and research and promote effective policies to support that goal.
• Not Alone 
  Information for students, schools, and anyone interested in finding resources on how to respond to and prevent sexual assault on college and university campuses and in our schools
• Out Front Minnesota 
  OutFront Minnesota’s mission is to create a state where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are free to be who they are, love who they love, and live without fear of violence, harassment or discrimination.

Medical

• Center for Disease Control: Health Youth
• Center for Disease Control: Hepatitis
• Center for Disease Control: HIV
• Center for Disease Control: STD's
• Center for Disease Control: Tuberculosis
• Clinic 555
  Providing affordable, convenient and confidential health care for residents of Ramsey County since 1969.
• The Family Tree Clinic
  Sexual & reproductive health care access
• Hennepin County Medical Center
• Just Us Health (formerly MN Aids Project)
• Planned Parenthood
  Contraception & birth control methods
• Red Door Clinic
  Free sexual health services for Hennepin County
• United Way 2-1-1
  United Way 2-1-1 provides free and confidential health and human services information.

Minneapolis College

• Counseling Services
• Public Safety
• Boynton Student Health Clinic at Minneapolis College.

Outstate and National Resources

Advocacy/Victim Awareness

• DOJ: Office of Violence Against Women
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 
  Providing to survivors of domestic violence for over 35 years.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  Confidential and free of cost, NDVH provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse.
• Pave the Project
  Resources and information for teens who are victims or at risk of becoming victims of dating violence.
• Stop Abuse for Everyone
  Resources for male victims of domestic violence.

Educational/Awareness

• Futures Without Violence
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
  Provides a variety of resources to assist you in your work to prevent and respond to sexual violence.

Medical

• Get the Pill Contraceptives.

Retaliation against anyone filing a complaint or participating in a complaint investigation, is prohibited by Minneapolis College and Minnesota State policy. Individuals who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary or other corrective action. Read the full policy.

To whom do the policies apply?

All individuals affiliated with Minneapolis Community and Technical College, including but not limited to:

• Students
• Employees
• Applicants
• Volunteers
• Agents
• Board of Trustees.

Title IX Coordinators

• Patrick Troup
• Bobbie Denson Davis

Visit the File a Report of Sexual Violence at the top of this webpage for more information.

Where and when do I take Sexual Violence Prevention Training?
The training is completed online. You will find the course listed in your courses section of D2L Brightspace.

Do I have to take Sexual Violence Prevention Training every year?
No. It is only required that our students complete this training one time while they are attending Minneapolis College or another Minnesota State college or university.

I took a different training related to sexual violence and/or sexual harassment somewhere else. Do I still have to take Sexual Violence Prevention Training?
Yes. To ensure that students receive a consistent message, Minneapolis College requires that all of our students complete Sexual Violence Prevention Training specifically. Other Minnesota State colleges or universities may not have this requirement.

I took Sexual Violence Prevention Training at Minneapolis College or another Minnesota State College and University system institution. Do I have to take it again?
Students who have taken Sexual Violence Prevention Training at Minneapolis College or another Minnesota State College and University system institution do not have to take it again. If you have taken it before at Minnesota State College or University, please notify us of this with our email and include documentation. If you have taken it at Minneapolis College, you do NOT need to send documentation.

Is this training just a Minneapolis College requirement?
No. Every college or university that received federal funding must have a similar training. Minnesota law requires that the same institutions require training of all students (not just new students).

I only take online courses. Do I still have to take Sexual Violence Prevention Training?
Yes. All students enrolled for credit, with limited exception, must complete the training. This includes online students.

What happens if I do not complete Sexual Violence Prevention Training by the deadline?
Students who fail to complete the training may receive registration holds, suspension of printing privileges, limited access to course materials, etc.

What if have other questions about the Sexual Violence Prevention Training topics?
If you have questions about these topics, other than what the training covers, please email the Title IX Coordinator.

I am having technical difficulties with Sexual Violence Prevention Training e.g. not listed in my courses, not loading correctly, etc. What should I do?
If you are having technical difficulty, please contact IT Services for assistance. Our Title IX Coordinator is not able to assist with technical issues.

Will there be other opportunities to learn about this topic throughout the year?
Yes. Our Title IX Coordinator and others with knowledge of the topic will be providing other education and awareness about this topic and related topics throughout the academic year. Please stay turned for a related programs as well as other general information.

Are there are students that do not have to take Sexual Violence Prevention Training?
Yes. Students who are not enrolled for credit do not have to take this course. This includes auditing and concurrent enrollment students. This does not exempt PSEO students. PSEO students are required to complete Sexual Violence Prevention Training.