Title IX & Sexual Harassment
Dear PCC Community –
If you are a student, and have been impacted by sex- or gender-based discrimination, harassment, or assault, please contact Title IX staff to schedule a phone, virtual, or in-person appointment:
- Diane Deskin - sddeskin@pima.edu or 520-206-7120
- Staci Shea - sshea1@pima.edu or 520-206-7028
If you are an employee, and have been impacted by sex or gender-based discrimination, harassment, or assault, please contact Title IX staff to schedule a phone, virtual or in-person appointment:
- David Rucker - drucker2@pima.edu or 520-206-4972
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any program or activity at an educational institution that receives federal funding, including Pima. Under Title IX, no student can be excluded from participating in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any PCC program or activity on the basis of his or her sex or gender.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights administers and enforces Title IX.
PCC's Discrimination and Harassment Policy
Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy
Pima Community College (the "College") is committed to providing an educational, workplace, and public environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, including on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, disability or perceived disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. The College does not discriminate on any of the forgoing bases in its educational programs and services, hiring and employment, or any other opportunities and services it provides. The College likewise does not tolerate unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, in any College programs or activities, on College property, or in any facility owned or controlled by the College.
In accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX"), the College is dedicated to maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory educational environment, free from unlawful sex- or gender-based discrimination and harassment in its educational programs and services, and to responding to Title IX complaints in prompt, neutral, thorough, and effective manner.
Moreover, the College prohibits unlawful retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment, assist another in reporting a complaint, or otherwise participate in an investigation into or process regarding the resolution of a complaint of unlawful discrimination or harassment, including, but not limited to, Title IX complaints, investigations, and processes.
PCC's Title IX Coordinator
David Parker
Executive Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Ethics and Compliance
Title IX Coordinator
520-206-4852
dparker8@pima.edu
Title IX is administered through the Title IX Office, located at PCC's District Office, 4905 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ.
Deputy Title IX Coordinators for Students:
Diane Deskin
Director and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students
Title IX, Student Conduct, and Behavior Assessment Team
(520) 206-7120
sddeskin@pima.edu
Staci Shea
Program Manager and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students
Title IX and Student Conduct
520-206-7028
sshea1@pima.edu
Dr. Suzanne Desjardin
Vice President of Student Affairs and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Students
Title IX Coordinator
(520) 206-3150
sdesjardin@pima.edu
Email: title9@pima.edu
Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Employees:
David Rucker
Human Resources Business Partner and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Employees
Human Resources, Employee Relations
520-206-4972
drucker2@pima.edu
How to File a Complaint
Complaints may be filed with the Title IX office through
- Completing the Title IX complaint form
- For students: Calling or emailing Diane Deskin (520-206-7120, sddeskin@pima.edu) and/or Staci Shea (520-206-7028, sshea1@pima.edu)
- For Employees: Calling or emailing David Rucker (520-206-4972, drucker2@pima.edu)
- Completing the Office of Dispute Resources online form
- The 24/7 complaint hotline: 1-855-503-8072 (toll-free)
Anonymous complaints can be made via the online form or hotline. While they are accepted, this type of complaint may affect reporting and resolution.
Student Complaint Liaisons are available to students at each campus to assist in the reporting process.
PCC takes complaints of sexual discrimination or harassment very seriously and encourages all students who feel they have experienced discrimination or harassment on the basis of their sex or gender to reach out to the College for assistance. However, students are not required to file a Title IX complaint with the College before filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. The contact information for OCR is:
U.S. Dept. of Education - Office for Civil Rights
800-421-3481
OCR@ed.gov
Reporting a Title IX Incident
PCC Officials With Authority (OWA’s) must report all allegations of sexual harassment that they receive to
the College’s Title IX Office or to Campus Police. Not all reports will result in a formal
investigation. However, all reports must be reviewed and addressed.
Investigating and Addressing Complaints
Title IX complaints are addressed through an investigation process. Complaints can typically be resolved formally or informally. The Title IX Coordinator initiates fact-finding regarding the complaint. Both parties to the complaint are offered an equal opportunity to present information, identify witnesses, have the support of an advisor, and provide information regarding allegations.
Training
All members of the Title IX team (Title IX Coordinators, Investigators, Decision-makers, and Advisors) receive annual training on the following topics:
- the definition of sexual harassment in § 106.30,
- the scope of the PCCs education program or activity
- Issues of relevance, including how to apply rape shield provisions
- the grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes
- how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias
In addition, Title IX Coordinators receive training on:
- How to use the Title IX Notice and Communication Templates
In addition, Decision-makers receive training on:
- The technology to be used at a live hearing
- Issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant
In addition, Investigators receive training on:
- Issues of relevance to create an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence, as set forth in paragraph (b)(5)(vii) of this section
- How to conduct a fair and neutral investigation
In addition, Advisors receive training on:
- The role of a Title IX Advisor and how they can serve their Advisees
All materials used to train the members of the Title IX team (Title IX Coordinators, Investigators, Decision-makers, and Advisors)
- do not rely on sex stereotypes, and promote impartial investigations and adjudications of formal complaints of sexual harassment