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WesternU / Office of Title IX & Equal Opportunity

Office of Title IX & Equal Opportunity

Welcome to the Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) website on Title IX and its policy and procedures on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct.

In this site you will find information related to WesternU’s programs and services to ensure members of the WesternU community, its students, faculty, and staff, have equitable access to WesternU’s educational and employment programs and activities, without being discriminated based on a person’s sex.

WesternU’s policy and procedures on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct describe the University’s obligations and responsibilities under Title IX of the Education Code as amended in 1972, and under the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. It also includes information on how to report complaints and the grievance processes utilized by WesternU.

Training materials are also included on this website. Additionally, there are some video training materials to help illustrate and convey some of the prohibited conduct described in the policy. Additionally, there are also training information on other elements of the policy, such as affirmative consent and bystander intervention.

WesternU also partners with organizations in the community and other outside providers. These are confidential resources that assist with services such as counseling, coaching, emergency shelter, crisis intervention, support groups, law enforcement navigation, hospital advocacy, evidence preservation, and forensic medical examinations.

  • Scope of Responsibilities

    1. Addressing complaints from faculty, staff and students on discrimination, harassment, interpersonal violence, and retaliation.

    • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on the following protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex (pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity), and national origin.
    • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 – prohibits sex or gender discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance: dating/domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and stalking.
    • Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 – protects from age discrimination.
    • California Fair Employment and Housing Act – protects from marital status discrimination.
    • Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act – protects from military status discrimination.
    • Retaliation based on participating in a protected activity (Title IX or Human Resource investigation).

    2. Addressing complaints from prospective employees (applicants). WesternU is an equal opportunity employer.

    • All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
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    Education & Training

    To create a community of civility and mutual respect, mandatory training ensures compliance with federal law and emphasizes the character and culture expected at WesternU:

    • Requires that all staff, faculty, and supervisors complete a mandatory on-line harassment, discrimination, and retaliation training every two years.
    • On alternating years, all staff, faculty, and supervisors are required to complete an on-line course on Title IX.
    • Incoming students must complete an on-line course on Title IX in order to complete their registration and admission process.
    • Supervisors and management staff identified as a “responsible employee” must complete an on-line course annually on the responsibilities of responsible employees.

    To better serve the WesternU community, on-site/in-person training is available for all departments, programs and student groups. Please contact us if you have any questions about training and let us know how we can be of assistance.
  • Policies & Procedures

    These are the policies and procedures of WesternU on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct:

    Policies and Procedures:

    Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment, Interpersonal Violence, and Other Sexual Misconduct (SIM) Policy

    Related Policy:

    Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, Non-Retaliation Policy

    Process:

    Title IX Process Summary

  • Forms

    To report complaints of Title IX and/or Discrimination, Harassment, Interpersonal Violence, & Retaliation, please use the appropriate forms below:

    Discrimination, Harassment, Interpersonal Violence, & Retaliation Complaint Form

    Advisors:

    If an advisor will be present for the meetings or any proceedings, please complete the Advisor Request form and submit it two (2) working days before the meeting to the Title IX Coordinator. The Advisor Guide will assist the Advisor in understanding their role in this process.

    Advisor Request Title IX Process

    Advisor Guide to the Title IX Process

    After completing the form, please sign it and send it to:

    Associate Vice President of Equal Opportunity & Title IX Coordinator
    Western University of Health Sciences
    359 E. Second Street
    Pomona, CA 91766
    Email: OTIXEO@westernu.edu

  • Confidential Resources

    These are resources available for those unsure about whether to report formally or who are interested in seeking counseling in addition to (or without) making a formal report. While discussing allegations with a confidential resource may not result in an identifying report to the Title IX Coordinator, they may have reporting (or other) obligations under the law.

    On Campus

    Optum Employee Assistance Program
    (services are available for students and employees)
    (800) 234-5465
    Optum website (access code: westernu)
    Services: Counseling, Financial and legal advice, life balance support

    For a complete summary of available confidential resources, please visit our websites:

    WesternU Employees: Human Resources Benefits Office

    WesternU Students based in Pomona, CA: Student Services Counseling

    WesternU Students based in Lebanon, OR: Student Services Counseling

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    WesternU Incident Reporting Form

    Do not use this to report events presenting an immediate safety or security threat. If this is an emergency, please contact WesternU’s Campus Security at 909-706-3000 (or 3000 from a campus phone) or dial 911 for local law enforcement.

    OTIXEO Team

    Portrait of Cristina Alvarez

    Cristina Alvarez

    Associate Vice President of Equal Opportunity & Title IX Coordinator

    (909) 469-7038

    alvarezc@westernu.edu

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    Sara Aguirre

    Senior Deputy Civil Rights Officer

    saguirre@westernu.edu

    WesternU Seal - Default Image

    Inga Rodriguez

    Case Communications and Support Coordinator

    irodriguez@westernu.edu

    Deputy Title IX Coordinators – California

    Portrait of Georgette Carrasco

    Georgette Carrasco

    Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    (909) 469-7015

    gcarrasco@westernu.edu

    Portrait of Dr. Beverly Guidry

    Dr. Beverly Guidry

    Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    (541) 259-0220

    bguidry@westernu.edu

    Deputy Title IX Coordinators – Oregon

    Portrait of Rick Leeper

    Rick Leeper

    Deputy Title IX Coordinator

    (541) 259-0202

    rleeper@westernu.edu

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    Contact Us

    If you have any questions regarding any of the information or the services available to you, please do not hesitate to contact the Associate Vice President of Equal Opportunity & Title IX Coordinator, OTIXEO@westernu.edu. We are here to assist you.