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FAQs
FAQs
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What exactly is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on the gender of students and employees of an educational institution that receives federal financial assistance.
"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 § 1681The United States Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is tasked with enforcing Title IX compliance among educational institutions. More information on the Office of Civil Rights can be found on their website.
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Does information about a complaint remain private when I report it to the College?
Birmingham-Southern College supports each individual's right to keep a complaint private, except when that request interferes with the College's duty to provide a safe environment for all members of this community. BSC will take steps to protect the individual bringing the complaint forward and limit disclosure of information to those who have a need to know.
Students, faculty, and staff may wish to talk through an incident of sexual misconduct with a confidential resource to better understand all reporting options before making a report.
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What is the difference between confidential and non-confidential resources?
Counseling Services, the BSC Chaplain, and the Health Services office are not required to report identifying information about the incident to the police or Birmingham-Southern College. These sources are covered by legal protections that protect the discussions you have with them.
Non-confidential sources, such as professors, advisors, resident advisors, coaches, or other BSC staff members are expected to report at least essential information so that the College can ensure appropriate support for individuals who report such incidents.
There is no right or wrong way to handle situations involving sexual misconduct. If you are uncertain about how to respond with information you have received, contact the Title IX Coordinator for more information. A conversation can occur without details shared that can provide relevant and appropriate guidance.
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Where can I confidentially report an incident on campus?
Confidential reporting options on campus include Counseling Services, Health Services, and the College Chaplain.
In the community, the Crisis Center of Birmingham and the YWCA of Central Alabama provide confidential counseling and support.
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What happens when a report is made?
When the Title IX Coordinator receives a report of sexual misconduct, the Title IX Coordinator or their representative will contact the injured party to offer to set up a meeting. The person is not required to accept the meeting, although the College strongly encourages the individual to do so.
In the meeting, the individual can share as much or as little information as they want. No matter how much information the individual shares, meeting with the Title IX Coordinator can be helpful to provide various options for support and available actions. If the individual wants support resources or wants to take further action, the Title IX Coordinator can help facilitate connecting the individual to those resources and determining possible next steps.
An overview of the College's process can be found in this document.
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I am a student. Will Birmingham-Southern tell my parents a report has been made?
No. Birmingham-Southern's relationship is primarily with the student - not their parents. BSC will not inform the parents or legal guardians of either party named in the report, though there are some exceptions involving extreme health and safety circumstances. BSC strongly encourages students to inform their parents or others who care for the student to support them in dealing with the impact of this incident.
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Do I have to name the alleged offender when I report?
You have the option to identify the alleged offender or not. However, you should be aware that failure to name the individual may limit BSC's ability to conduct a meaningful investigation and respond to your report.
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Will a student be punished when reporting sexual misconduct if they have been engaged in illegal activities like underage drinking or drugs?
When a student has experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Birmingham-Southern will not pursue disciplinary action against that student for policy violations. However, intentionally causing the incapacitation of another student (through alcohol or drugs) for the purpose of inhibiting that person's ability to give proper consent to sexual activity is a violation of the Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy. Students who are found responsible for sexual misconduct may also be found responsible for other policy violations under other applicable College policies.
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I'm not sure I want to file a report right now. How long do I have to file a report?
We strongly encourage immediate reporting of acts of sexual misconduct, but recognize that you may not be sure how to proceed at first. Any faculty, staff, coach, or resident advisor must immediately report the incident to the Title IX Coordinator. An overview of the College's process can be found in this document and may help you better understand next steps.
There is no time limit for reporting sexual misconduct to the institution. However, Birmingham-Southern's ability to respond and investigate may diminish over time, as evidence may erode, memories may fade, and those involved may no longer be affiliated with the institution.