What Is Title IX?
Title IX is the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender in schools that receive federal funding.
Members of the SouthArk community, guests, and visitors have the right to be free from all forms of sex/gender harassment, discrimination and misconduct, examples of which can include acts of sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. All members of SouthArk are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. SouthArk believes in zero tolerance for sex/gender-based misconduct. Zero tolerance means that when an allegation of misconduct is brought to an appropriate administrator’s attention, protective and other remedial measures will be used to reasonably ensure that such conduct ends, is not repeated, and the effects on the victim and community are remedied, including serious sanctions when a responding party is found to have violated this policy.
SouthArk’s sex/gender harassment, discrimination, and misconduct polices are not meant to inhibit or prohibit educational content or discussions inside or outside of the classroom that include controversial or sensitive subject matters protected by academic freedom. Academic freedom extends to topics that are pedagogically appropriate and germane to the subject matter of courses or that touch on academic exploration of matters of public concern.
SouthArk uses the preponderance of the evidence (also known as “more likely than not”) as a standard of proof of whether a violation occurred. In campus resolution proceedings legal terms like guilt, innocence and burdens of proof are not applicable, but SouthArk never assumes a responding party is in violation of college policy. Campus resolution proceedings are conducted to take into account the totality of all evidence available from all relevant sources.
Reporting
Go to a safe location, and if injured, seek immediate medical attention. If you are sexually assaulted, you may seek assistance by contacting the following:
| Campus Security |
870-864-7125 |
| South Arkansas Regional Health Center |
870-862-7921
After Hours/Emergency 1-800-825-1554
|
| Vice President for Student Services |
870-864-7128 |
| Turning Point |
870-862-3672 |
| Women's Crisis Center of South Arkansas |
870-836-0375 |
| Living Water Domestic Violence Shelter |
Hotline 870-235-1414 (24⁄7) |
| Title IX Coordinator |
870-875-7235 |
| El Dorado Police Department |
911 for emergency, 870-863-4141 |
| National Sexual Assault Hotline |
1.800.656.HOPE(4673) |
Red emergency phones are located in Whitfield, the Computer Technology Building, El Dorado Conference and Student Center, and the Library on West Campus. On East Campus, the red phones are located in the Atrium of the Center for Workforce Development and the Student Lobby of the McGehee Building.
Blue light emergency phones are located in the parking lots between the Library and Computer Technology Building, Health Science Building, and El Dorado Conference and Student Center on West Campus.
Blue light emergency phones are located between the McGehee Classroom Building and the Workforce Development Building on East Campus.
If you are off campus and in an emergency situation, call the El Dorado Police Department (911). You may also report the assault directly to the El Dorado Police Department or with the assistance of SouthArk Campus Security Staff.
Confidentiality
If a victim desires that details of the incident be kept confidential and does not want a formal investigation, he or she should speak with the staff of Turning Point or South Arkansas Regional Health Center. In addition, victims may speak with clergy or chaplains as well as rape crisis center staff. These individuals are not required to tell anyone a victim's private, personally identifiable information unless there is cause for fear for his or her safety or the safety of others. If the reporter wishes to remain anonymous, he or she can choose to leave identifying fields blank on the
reporting form.
Non-Confidential Reporting
Victims are encouraged to speak to officials of SouthArk to make formal reports of incidents (deans, vice presidents, faculty, staff, campus security, Title IX coordinator, human resources). SouthArk considers these people to be responsibile employees. Notice to them is official notice to SouthArk. Victims have the right and can expect to have incidents of sexual misconduct taken seriously by SouthArk and properly resolved through administrative procedures. Formal reporting means that only people who need to know will be told and information will be shared only as necessary with investigators, witnesses, and the accused individual. Victims, as well as others who wish to make a report, may also use our electronic
reporting form.
Remediation
SouthArk reserves sole discretion and the right to take whatever measures it deems necessary in response to an allegation of sexual misconduct in order to protect victims' rights and personal safety and the SouthArk community. Such measures include, but are not limited to, reassignment of classes as available or removal from classes, interim suspension from campus pending the outcome of an investigation, and reporting the matter to law enforcement.
Policy and Procedure
Responsible Employees
Employees are expected to report all incidents of sex/gender-based misconduct that are suspected or reported to them. They may do so by clicking on the "Make a Report" button below.
Listed below are the addresses and contact information for SouthArk's Title IX Coordinator as well as the Office of Civil Rights office for our area:
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Vanessa Williams
Title IX Coordinator
El Dorado Conference Center
311 South West Avenue
Room 211
El Dorado, AR 71730
Telephone: (870) 875-7235
Facsimile: (870) 864-7137
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Office for Civil Rights
Dallas Office
U.S. Department of Education
1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620
Dallas, TX 75201-6810
Telephone: (214) 661-9600
Facsimile: (214) 661-9587
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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| SouthArk Investigative Team |
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Bill Fowler, Director of Human Resources
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
870-864-7146
Deputy Coordinator
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Brandi Cotterman, Payroll Services Coordinator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
870-864-7149
Investigator
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Benjamin Cagle, Director of Distance Learning
bcagleThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
870-864-8467
Investigator
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Cynthia Meyer, Program Director/Professor OTA
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
870-864-7171
Deputy Coordinator |
Mobile App
A SMARTPHONE RESOURCE GUIDE FOR THE SOUTHARK COMMUNITY
"Reach Out – College Edition” is a free smartphone resource guide, and since it's an app, Reach Out is convenient and private. You'll never be asked for any identifying information, so using Reach Out is completely anonymous.
INFORMATION THAT'S SPECIFIC TO SOUTHARK’S CAMPUS
Each resource includes a description, complete contact details, and hours. Sub categories make it easy to find resources at the local, state, and national levels.
Click Here for the Android AppClick Here for the Apple App
All incoming and transfer students must either receive Title IX Training in their SAS classes or enroll via blackboard.
Employees may complete annual training by following the instructions below, printing a certificate, and forwarding it to Human Resources.
To self-enroll:
1. From Blackboard, type in "Title IX" in course search box. Click on "Go."
2. From the options menu, click the arrow and select "Enroll."
3. Complete course and click "Submit." You may print a certificate after passing each module.
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