Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
The Title IX regulation describes the conduct that violates Title IX. Athletics departments are not the only component of university life governed by Title IX. Other areas which fall within the scope of Title IX include but are not limited to:
Examples of the types of discrimination that are covered under Title IX include sexual harassment, the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics, and discrimination based on pregnancy. Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence.
The University of Valley Forge is committed to maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all students and a professional workplace for its employees and takes active measures against all discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and sexual harassment, including sexual misconduct and violence.
Any student or employee who believes he or she has been the victim of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment, including sexual violence or misconduct, or any student that may witness or learn of another person becoming the victim of the above, is urged to report the matter to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy or any member of the Title IX Care Team (below). The report can be made:
Anyone wishing to file a report is encouraged to fill out the Formal Complaint Form when contacting the Title IX Care Team. This form can be emailed to any member of the team or brought to the Title IX Coordinator’s office directly.
Anonymous reporting is also available via this link.
Anyone who reports any sex discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct is entitled to supportive measures, whether or not they wish to file a Formal Complaint. A full list of available supportive measures can be found here.
The University’s full Sexual Misconduct and Violence Policy and Grievance Procedures for Title IX Complaints may be viewed on the Student Consumer Information page.
The Title IX Coordinator at the University of Valley Forge is responsible to:
Title IX Coordinator
Melanie Oestreich
Librarian
TitleIX@valleyforge.edu
mroestreich@valleyforge.edu
610.917.2003
Care Team Member
Dr. Todd Guevin
Vice President of Academic Affairs
tgguevin@valleyforge.edu
610.917.1493
Care Team Member
Andre Mauerman
Campus Director
acmauerman@valleyforge.edu
610.917.1429
Care Team Member
Stephen Bower
Assistant Director of Athletics
sebower@valleyforge.edu
610.917.1427
Care Team Member
Jennifer Gale
Vice President of Student Life
jdgale@valleyforge.edu
610.917.1488
Care Team Member
Dr. Stacey Sauchuk
Vice President of Finance and Operations
srsauchuk@valleyforge.edu
610.917.2002
Care Team Member
Tim Urner
Director of Security
t_urner@valleyforge.edu
610.917.1818
Inquiries about the application of Title IX to the University of Valley Forge may be referred to our Title IX Coordinator or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education. For instructions on making an inquiry, call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327).
Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, receive training on the definition of sexual harassment, the scope of the university’s education program or activity, how to conduct an investigation, the grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes, as applicable, and how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias.
In addition, decision makers receive training on any technology to be used at a live hearing, and on 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. Investigators receive training on issues of relevance, and on creating an investigative report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence.
Any materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, will not rely on sex stereotypes and will promote impartial investigations and adjudications of formal complaints of sexual harassment. The training materials used can be accessed by clicking here, or by contacting the Title IX Coordinator.