Whatcom Community College recognizes its responsibility for investigation, resolution, implementation of corrective measures, and monitoring the educational environment and workplace to stop, remediate, and prevent discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, or honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of trained guide dog or service animal, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington state's law against discrimination, chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. Employees are also protected from discrimination for filing a whistleblower complaint with the Washington state auditor.

Whatcom Community College has enacted policies prohibiting discrimination against, and harassment of members of protected classes. Any individual found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the college or from employment.

Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he or she has been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the college's Title IX/EEO coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the president's office for referral to an alternate designee.

The college encourages the timely reporting of any incidents of discrimination or harassment. Complaints may be submitted in writing or verbally. For complainants who wish to submit a written complaint, a formal complaint form is available online at http://www.whatcom.edu/home/showdocument?id=360. Hard copies of the complaint form are available in the Human Resource Office, Laidlaw Center (LDC) 235.

The following college officials((is))are designated to handle inquiries regarding this policy:

Name: Becky Rawlings

Title: Executive Director for Human Resources, Title IX/EEO Coordinator

Office: Laidlaw Center (LDC) 235

Contact: brawlings@whatcom.edu

Address: 237 W. Kellogg Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226

The Title IX/EEO coordinators or designee:

• Will accept all complaints and referrals from college employees, applicants, students, and visitors;

• Will make determinations regarding how to handle requests by complainants for confidentiality;

• Will keep accurate records of all complaints and referrals for the required time period;

• May conduct investigations or delegate and oversee investigations conducted by a designee;

• May impose interim remedial measures to protect parties during investigations of discrimination or harassment;

• Will issue written findings and recommendations upon completion of an investigation; and

• May recommend specific corrective measures to stop, remediate, and prevent the recurrence of inappropriate conduct.

Discriminatory or harassing conduct may also be, or occur in conjunction with, criminal conduct. Criminal complaints may be filed with the following law enforcement authorities:

505 Grand Avenue

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-778-8800

322 H Street

Blaine, WA 98230

360-332-6769

111 W Main Street

Everson, WA 98247

360-966-4212

2220 Main Street

Ferndale, WA 98248

360-384-3390

203 19th Street

Lynden, WA 98264

360-354-2828

433 Cherry Street

Sumas, WA 98295

360-988-5711

Department of Public Safety

516 High Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-650-3911

Public Safety Building

311 Grand Avenue

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-676-6650

The college will proceed with an investigation of harassment and discrimination complaints regardless of whether the underlying conduct is subject to civil criminal prosecution.