Crash Course: Elon’s Title IX Office

TW: Sexual violence, assault, harassment 


Panhellenic collaborated with the Gender & LBGTQ+ Center and Title IX Office to open a discussion about Title IX procedures on campus. This program was designed to educate Elon students about what resources are available to them. 

On Thursday, October 21st Felicia Cenca (she/her), the consultant for HR compliance and Title IX, and AK Krause (they/them), a coordinator for violence response, led an informative talk about how the Title IX office operates, and how to handle situations falling in the categories of sexual assault and violence. 

We believe that it is crucial that students know about their rights and resources, so here’s a crash course of what we learned in case you missed the event.


THE BASICS

What is consent?

Consent is clearly communicated and doesn’t always have to be verbal. It is when a person is freely and willingly participating step-by-step throughout a sexual encounter. Consent is subject to change. 

What is sexual misconduct? 

  • Sexual harassment

  • Non consensual sexual conduct 

  • Non-consensual sexual intercourse

  • Sexual exploitation (blackmailing, threatening them, use of photos or videos, etc.) 

  • Relationship or intimate partner abuse

  • Stalking (following a person, social media stalking, etc.)

What is Title IX?

Federal law states, “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the befits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” This is referred to as Title IX or “nine.”


ELON’S TITLE IX OFFICE

The office operates under an empowerment model. The affected person decides how they would like to engage. Elon responds to ALL reports of sexual misconduct by offering supportive measures and resources. 

Other policies that the office enforces are amnesty and protection against retaliation. Elon provides amnesty to all parties involved in a report in situations where parties may be accused of other policy violations, such as underage drinking, at the time of the incident. In addition, no person may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigative, proceeding, or hearing under this policy or the Title IX grievance procedures. 

‘’Elon University does not tolerate acts of sexual harassment, gender-based violence, sexual misconduct, and sex and/or gender-based discrimination,” the Title IX office’s website states. “All members of the community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects personal integrity and respect for others.’’

Here are some outcomes of visiting the Title IX office 

  • Engaging with resources 

    • On-campus resources that have confidentiality: Elon Safeline 336.278.3333, Health Services, Truitt Center, Counseling Services, Campus Safety

  • Using supportive measures 

    • Cease contact directive, modifications to class schedules or housing agreements, academic accommodations, etc. 

  • Beginning an accountability process

  • Doing nothing


WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Things to say to support someone that experienced sexual misconduct 

  • I’m glad you told me, and I’m very proud of you.

  • I am here for you. You can tell me as much or as little as you need right now.

  • Let me know how I can best support you, I will help you stay safe however I can.

What can you do to prevent sexual misconduct?

  • Active bystander training

  • Healthy masculinities programs

  • LBGTQ inclusive sex and consent education

  • Healthy relationship education

  • Promoting gender & LGBTQ equity 

  • Promoting survivor support

For more information or if you are in need of support, visit the Elon Title IX Office’s website,  file a report here, or contact Molly Zlock J.D. the director of compliance, equal opportunity and Title IX.



Cover photo by Elissa Garcia on Unsplash.