Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX

Rockford University (“Rockford” or “the University”) adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws banning discrimination in institutions of higher education, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”),the Illinois Human Rights Act, and the Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act. Rockford University does not discriminate against an employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant for admission on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or related conditions, marital or family status, ethnicity, national identity, citizenship status, disability, age, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any resolution process within the University or with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other human rights agencies.

To view Rockford University’s full statement on non-discrimination, see: rockford.edu/community/humanresources

Rockford University also complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Title IX prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discrimination. VAWA imposes additional duties on universities and colleges to investigate and respond to reports of sexual assault, stalking, and dating or domestic violence, and to publish policies and procedures related to the way these reports are handled.

Rockford University has designated the Title IX Coordinator to coordinate the University’s compliance with Title IX and VAWA and to respond to reports of violations. The University has directed the Title IX Coordinator to coordinate Rockford’s compliance with the Clery reporting related to VAWA requirements. Rockford will promptly and equitably respond to all reports of sex discrimination and sexual harassment in order to eliminate the prohibited conduct, prevent its recurrence, and redress its effects on any individual or the community.

REASON FOR POLICY

Rockford University is required to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), which prohibits discrimination based on sex — including discrimination on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity — in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

Rockford University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and seeks to establish and maintain an environment which ensures equal access to education for all Rockford University community members including students, applicants for admission, employees, applicants for employment, guests, and visitors. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity operated by Rockford University including, but not limited to, admissions, employment, recruitment, compensation, and athletics as well as access to housing and facilities, classes and schools, counseling, employment assistance to students, health and insurance benefits and services, and fringe benefits. The University is required by Title IX and the Regulations thereunder not to discriminate in such a manner.

Any member of the University community, guest or visitor who acts to deny, deprive or limit the educational, employment, residential and/or social access, benefits and/or opportunities of any member of the campus community on the basis of their actual or perceived membership in the protected classes listed above is in violation of University policy on non-discrimination. When brought to the attention of the University, any such discrimination will be appropriately remedied by the University according to its procedures.

For additional information or inquiries about the application of Title IX and the regulations thereunder, contact Rockford University’s Title IX Coordinator and/or the Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education.

The contact information for Rockford University’s Title IX Coordinator can be found in Section 3 of this Policy.

The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights regional office contact information is as follows:

Chicago Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
John C. Kluczynski Federal Building
230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604

Telephone: 312-730-1560
Fax: 312-730-1576; tdd: 800-877-8339
Email: ocr.chicago@ed.gov

Complaints with the Office for Civil Rights must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) business days of the last act that the Complainant believes was discriminatory. There is no time limit for making a report to Rockford University.

For additional information or inquiries about the application of Title IX and the regulations thereunder, contact Rockford University’s Title IX Coordinator and/or the Assistant Secretary of United States the Department of Education.

The Title IX Coordinator’s contact information is as follows:

Dr. Randy Worden, Vice President for Student Life and Title IX Coordinator
Student Life Office Suite, 1st floor Burpee Student Center (next to Den)
5050 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-3398
E-Mail: RWorden@rockford.edu