About the Policy

Western Michigan University strives to cultivate a healthy and diverse community that recognizes the value of each individual and helps foster safety, civility and respect for all people.

Who the policy affects

Members of the University community, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, Board members, consultants, vendors, others engaged to do business with the University, guests and visitors have the right to be free from sexual and gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence and all other forms of prohibited conduct described in the policy, including stalking and intimate partner violence.

Read more about the scope of the policy.

What the policy prohibits

The policy prohibits a broad continuum of behaviors, many of which constitute a form of sexual or gender-based discrimination, harassment or violence and are prohibited by federal law. Specific forms of prohibited conduct under this policy include: sexual harassment, sexual assault, non-consensual sexual contact, sexual exploitation, harm to others, stalking, intimate partner violence and retaliation.

Read more about the conduct prohibited by the policy.

Reporting violations of the policy

Members of the University community who experience sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking or intimate partner violence are encouraged to report information regarding those incidents directly to the Title IX Coordinator. When an allegation of prohibited conduct is brought to the attention of the Title IX Coordinator, a designated responsible employee or any University resource or support unit under this policy that is not designated as confidential, the University will take prompt action in response to the report. Individuals who are found responsible under this policy may face sanctions up to and including expulsion from the University (if a student) and/or termination of employment (if an employee).

Read more about the reporting process.

Read the full policy in its entirety.

Title IX Required Training for Policy Implementers

Any person working on the resolution of a Title IX complaint receives training as prescribed by the Department of Education Title IX Final Rule § 106.45(b)(1)(iii) & § 106.45(b)(10)(i)(D).

Training on Title IX Regulations, July 27, 2020
Attendees: Felicia Crawford, Tammy Miller, Adam Wall, Evelyn Winfield-Thomas (Institutional Equity)
Presenter:  Rebecca Veidlinger (External Consultant)

Hearing and Investigation Process Training, February 11, 2021
Attendees:  Jane Baas, Adam Wall, Evelyn Winfield-Thomas(Institutional Equity). Tammy Miller(Institutional Equity) was trained separately on April 9,2021.
Presenter:  Felicia Crawford (Institutional Equity)

Coordinated Response Team Training, October 29, 2021
Attendee: Victoria Hastings (Public Safety). Presenter: Felicia Crawford (Institutional Equity)

Hearing Advisor Training
November 2, 2021 Attendees: Pamela Wadsworth (Bronson School of Nursing), Kimberly Carroll (YWCA Campus Advocate)

February 3, 2022 Attendees: Tiffany Lee (School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs), Kelly Snow (Asst Hall Director)
Presenter:  Felicia Crawford (Institutional Equity)

March 30, 2022 Attendees: Jaime Rohr (Bronson School of Nursing), Mya White (YWCA Campus Advocate)
Presenter:  Felicia Crawford (Institutional Equity)

January 10, 2024 Attendees: Ashley Chlebek (YWCA), AÏta Wellington (YWCA), Catherine Villanueva (YWCA), Katy Reed (YWCA), Patrice Lewis (YWCA), Veronica Barajas (YWCA)
Presenter:  Felicia Crawford (Institutional Equity)

Appeals Committee Training, November 8, 2021
Attendees:  Diane Anderson (VPSA), Barry Olson (Office of VPSA), Steve Palmer (Residence Life)
Presenter:  Felicia Crawford (Institutional Equity)

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Administrator Overview

November 11, 2021 Attendees: Jen Bott (Provost), Chris Cheatham (Office of the Provost)

November 8, 2022 Attendees: Michelle Brown (Office of VPSA), David DeThorne (Academic Labor Relations), Charles Cotton (Enrollment Management), Daren D Fox (Office of VPSA), Keith A Hahn (General Counsel), Warren Hills (Human Resources), Andrea Mellendorf (Office of Student Conduct), Reetha Raveendran (Office of VPSA), Kahler B Schuemann (Office of the President), Keanah Smith (WMU Athletics)
Presenter:  Felicia Crawford (Institutional Equity)

Title IX Committee Training, February 17, 2022
Attendees:  Kailyn Alderman (Student Representative), Nicole Allbee (Office of Student Conduct), Brian Bauer (Intercollegiate Athletics), Hayden Falkiewicz (Student Representative), Susan Freeman (Gender and Women Studies), Victoria Hastings (Public Safety), Trisha Priest (Human Resources), Danielle Snow (Health Promotion and Education), Jessica Swartz (Office of General Counsel), Pamela Wadsworth (Bronson School of Nursing).
Presenter:  Felicia Crawford (Institutional Equity)

Hearing Officer and Decision-Maker Certification, (2-Day training) October 17-18, 2022
Attendees:  Felicia Crawford
Presenter: ATIXA

Equitable Remedies Within Civil Rights Grievances, (ATIXA 20-minute training video) July 7, 2023
Attendees:  Felicia Crawford
Presenter: ATIXA

Informal Resolution, (ATIXA 20-minute training video) July 21, 2023
Attendees:  Felicia Crawford
Presenter: ATIXA

Addressing Trauma (ATIXA 20-minute training video) December 13, 2023
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: ATIXA

Relevance and Decorum in a Title IX Hearing, October 13, 2022
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Determining Relevance in Title IX Hearings: Part 1, October 13, 2022
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Respondent Series 1 of 5-Exploring the Current State of Affairs Regarding Respondent Services and Interventions, August 12, 2022
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Respondent Series 2 of 5-Respondents: Foundational Elements Regarding What's known, What Works, and What Can be Done to Enhance the Efficacy of Interventions, August 12, 2022
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Understanding the Investigative Report Template for Investigations of Title IX Sexual Harassment, August 12, 2022
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

No Contact Orders, Emergency Removals, and Interim Suspensions, August 12, 2022
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Legal Framework fro Understanding Conflicts of Interest and Bias, August 12, 2022
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Collecting and Understanding Specialized Evidence, August 12, 2022
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Recognizing and Responding to Stalking: Trauma Informed Best Practices, August 9, 2022
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Title IX Investigations Day 1 and 2, October 6, 2021
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Determining Relevance in Title IX Hearings, October 14, 2021
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Pre-Hearing Preparations, October 1, 2021
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Online Harassment, October 6, 2021
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute

Virtual Hearing Technology, October 6, 2021
Attendees:  Sarah Meiser
Presenter: SUNY Student Conduct Institute