Title IX
Western Colorado University is dedicated to the safety, well-being, and belonging of all campus community members, including students, employees, and visitors. Through a restorative justice model, the Restorative Justice & Title IX Office ensures compliance with institutional policy, state, and federal laws.
Services
Reaching out to the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible is the best way to promote a victims’ safety, privacy, and agency.
If students or employees have experienced, witnessed, or learned of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, sexual misconduct, gender-based violence, or a related incident, the Title IX Coordinator is here to provide guidance and support.
The Title IX Coordinator empowers Complainants with efficient, well-informed, and confidential guidance. If a Complainant requests confidentiality or asks that the complaint not be pursued, the University will take all reasonable steps to investigate and respond to the complaint consistent with their request, while fulfilling its obligation to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment.
NOTE: The Restorative Justice and Title IX Office is not a confidential reporting source. Communications regarding incidents constitute a report to the university and will be acted upon, in accordance with Title IX and Board Policy 3.5. Please see the Law and Policy section for more information on these policies.
You can reach the Title IX Coordinator by email at tixadministrator@western.edu or by telephone at (650) 383-4753 x137.
Western acts swiftly to support victims and investigate reported incidents of sexual misconduct.
Title IX Office intakes, processes, and coordinates the resolution of incidents related to Board Policy 3.5: Policy Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct. University prohibits and will not tolerate any action that violates Title IX or this Policy. Please see the Law and Policy section for more information on these policies.
We know that filing an incident report or formal complaint can be stressful; we are here to support you through the process. If you are unsure how best to proceed, we are available to discuss your concerns.
You can reach the Title IX Coordinator by email at tixadministrator@western.edu or by telephone at (650) 383-4753 x137.
If you would like to report an incident or submit a complaint of sexual misconduct or retaliation, you can contact the Title IX Coordinator or use the link below.
Title IX Misconduct Reporting Form
Pregnant and parenting students at Western Colorado University have rights under Title IX Federal Law. Using the processes outlined in the Pregnant and Parenting Services Manual, Western aims to ensure that pregnant and parenting students receive an equitable educational opportunity and are successful in their parenting and student journeys.
Western works to serve pregnant and parenting students by connecting them to supportive measures, which may include but are not limited to:
- Adjustments or alterations to courses
- Extensions of course deadlines
- Leaves of absence
- Protection for students’ standing until and upon their return
You can reach the Title IX Coordinator by email at tixadministrator@western.edu or by telephone at (650) 383-4753 x137.
If you would like to request services or submit a complaint related to pregnant and parenting rights under Title IX, you can contact the Title IX Coordinator or use the link below.
Law and Policy
Western maintains compliance with current policy and practice related to Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, most recently updated in 2024. The US Department of Education is enforces federal law that makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals on the basis of sex (including pregnancy, parenting, and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation) at institutions that receive federal financial support, including institutions of higher education such as Western.
Western also maintains compliance with related laws including the Violence Against Women Act and the The Jeanne Clery Act of 1990. The Annual Clery Report, a part of Western’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, is available for review via the institutional website and upon request. Please contact Campus Security with any questions.
Western’s Board of Trustees Policy Manual, Section 3.5: Policy Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct, identifies policy and procedure related to incidents of sexual misconduct. The Handbook for Professional Personnel and the Student Handbook each refer to and/or incorporate this policy.
Student Athletes and College Athletic Professionals Training
Per NCAA, Student-Athletes and College Athletics Professionals receive annual training that is specialized and tailored for student-athletes.
For more information, access the NCAA Board of Governors Policy on Campus Sexual Violence.
NCAA requires that colleges and universities participate in attestation processes regarding the release of Student-Athletes actions as related to Title IX. Colleges and universities may be asked to release information regarding a Student-Athlete’s identification as a wrongdoer in Title IX cases. Colleges and universities may be asked to release information regarding a Student-Athlete’s choice to leave an institution while in the midst of a Title IX case.
For more information, contact Western’s Compliance Coordinator.
Definitions
An individual who is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual misconduct and/or sexual harassment.
A document filed by a Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual misconduct and/or sexual harassment against a Respondent and requesting that Western investigate the allegation of sexual misconduct and/or sexual harassment.
An employee who has the obligation to report alleged sexual misconduct and/or sexual harassment and alleged retaliation to the Title IX Coordinator.
A report submitted by a Reporter or Complainant regarding an alleged incident that they experienced, witnessed, or were informed of after the fact. Incident reports alert the Title IX Coordinator that there is a potential incident which should be investigated and prompt the Title IX Coordinator to reach out to involved parties to provide support. Incident reports do not constitute a formal complaint.
An individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual misconduct.
Intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by the Sexual Misconduct Prohibition policy and Title IX or its implementing regulation, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this policy. Such retaliation shall be dealt with as a separate instance of sexual misconduct.
Sexual Harassment as defined in the Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Section 3.5 of the Board of Trustees Policy Manual, whether or not the misconduct falls within the scope of that policy:
- Conduct committed by a student that, if committed by an employee, would constitute Quid Pro Quo under the Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Section 3.5 of the Board of Trustees Policy Manual, whether or not the misconduct falls within the scope of that police;
- Conduct that is severe, pervasive or objectively offensive
- Sexual Exploitation, defined as actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power differential, or trust, for sexual purposes, including but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another
When there are:
- Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature; and
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct results in adverse educational or employment action; or
- Affects the terms or conditions of education or employment or activities with the University.
When there are:
- Refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent. A number of different acts fall into the category of sexual assault, including, without limitation, rape, statutory rape, sexual violence, domestic violence, incest, sexual batter and sexual coercion. All such acts of sexual assault are forms of sexual misconduct covered under the Sexual Misconduct Prohibition Policy including, without limitation:
- Non-consensual sexual contact, including sexual touching, groping and fondling
- Non-consensual sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, and/or oral penetration by a body part of by an object.
Includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the State of Colorado, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.
Violence by a person who has been in a romantic or intimate relationship with the Complainant. Whether there was such a relationship will be gauged by its length, type and frequency of interaction.
Course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety, or to suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking may take the form of, but is not limited to, harassing telephone calls, electronic communications and/or letter-writing.
Affirmative, knowing and voluntary words or actions that create a mutually understandable and clear agreement to engage in sexual activity. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that they have affirmative consent of the other or others to engage in the sexual activity. Silence, lack of protest, or resistance, by themselves cannot be interpreted as consent. Consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and can be revoked at any time. The existence of a dating relationship between the persons involved, or the fact of past sexual relations between them, by itself cannot be interpreted as consent. Consent is not effectively given if force, threats, intimidation or coercion were involved, or if a person is incapable of giving consent due to use of drugs or alcohol, or due to intellectual or other disability.
Our Team
Meet Emma Hempel
Title IX Coordinator Services
Emma Hempel is a Title IX Coordinator and facilitates Title IX and Equity training for Grand River Solutions. Emma serves as a Title IX Coordinator for both large and small public and private institutions across the country. As Title IX Coordinator, she oversees institutional Title IX Compliance, ensures a fair and equitable Title IX Process, supervises and mentors Title IX staff, conducts trainings, revises policies and other relevant documentation, conducts outreach and provides support to all parties engaging in the formal and informal Title IX grievance process. As a facilitator, she leads a wide array of sessions including the Title IX Coordinator Training: A Practical Approach to Navigating Beyond Compliance in a Post Regulatory World. Emma also specializes in and leads seminars on the Intersection of Sexual Violence and the LBGTQ Community, and Sex, Gender, Identity and Practice.
With over ten years of experience in the field of higher education, she previously served as the Title IX Coordinator at the State University of New York at New Paltz. In her previous role, she oversaw institutional Title IX compliance and was the primary contact for students, faculty, and staff who were reporting sexual and interpersonal violence. She developed and implemented a variety of trainings and workshops on topics including sexual violence prevention, sexual harassment, bystander intervention, and diversity and inclusion. Emma also served as President for the State University of New York’s Title IX Coordinator Association (STIXCA) and worked with 64 campuses and their Title IX initiatives.
As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ Community, Emma was honored to also serve as SUNY New Paltz’s first LGBTQ Coordinator, where she provided broad support for LGBTQ+ faculty, staff, and students. Emma also previously worked at the LGBTQ Center of the Hudson Valley providing LGBTQ+ Cultural Responsiveness Trainings to local organizations, companies, universities, and k-12 schools.
Emma obtained her undergraduate degree in music and her graduate degree in Social Justice Educational Studies from SUNY New Paltz. Emma resides in New Paltz, NY.
Contact Information
Title IX
Campus Location
All services are provided remotely.
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