Sexual Violence Prevention TAMU-CC Civil Rights Compliance

Dr. Rosie Ruiz, Associate Director, Title IX Coordinator

Employee Development & Compliance Services Department

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972

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.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex (of a sexual nature or otherwise): (1) by an employee of the member who conditions the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the member on an individual’s participation in that unwelcome sexual conduct; (2) determined by a reasonable person to be so severe and pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the member’s education program or activity; or (3) sexual assault or dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking based on sex.

Definition of Sexual Assault

An offense that meets the definition of rape, fondling, incest or statutory rape as used in the FBl's Uniform Crime Reporting system. A sex offense is any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances in which the victim is incapable of giving consent. These offenses are defined as:

Rape: The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.

Fondling: The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her age or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental incapacity.

Statutory Rape: Sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.

Definition of Dating Violence

Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. (a) The existence of such a relationship will be determined based on the reporting party's statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. (b) For the purposes of this definition: (1) Dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. (2) Dating violence does not include acts covered under the definition of domestic violence.

Definition of Stalking

Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to: (a) fear for the person's safety or the safety of others; or (b) suffer substantial emotional distress. For the purposes of this definition: (a) Course of conduct means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person's property. (b) Reasonable person means a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the victim. (c) Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.

TAMU System Regulation 08.01.01, Civil Rights Compliance

Where to Report

TAMU-CC Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Rosie Ruiz

rosie.ruiz@tamucc.edu | 361.825.5826

Student Conduct & Advocacy, Mr. Michael LaTorre

michael.latorre@tamucc.edu | 361.825.6219

Confidential Reporting

Counseling Center 361.825.2703

Health Center 361.825.2601

Complete Title IX Training (Freshmen & Transfer Students)

Visit https://tamuccstudents-tx.safecolleges.com/ and log in using your Islander email credentials.