Title IX

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights enforces Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Title IX states, among other things, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Title IX defines sexual harassment and requires Harding to follow specific procedures when addressing allegations of sexual harassment.

Harding University’s Title IX Misconduct Policy pdf.

Additional Information and Resources

Title IX Coordinators

Title IX requires the University to authorize at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title IX. Harding has designated two Title IX coordinators:

1. The University Title IX Coordinator is responsible for the University's overall compliance with Title IX and coordinates the University's response to formal complaints by students, is the University's contact for student complainants, and is the contact for reports from third parties.

2. The Title IX Coordinator for Employees coordinates the University’s response to formal complaints by employees against other employees and assists with employee respondent cases.

 

Title IX Coordinators:

Kevin Davis
University Title IX Coordinator
Assistant Director of Public Safety
Harding University
915 E. Market Ave.
Kendall Hall, Office 113
Searcy, AR 72149
501-279-5000
kdavis@harding.edu


Amie Carter
Title IX Coordinator for Employees
Assistant Director of Human Resources
Harding University
915 E. Market Ave.
Ezell Building, Office 131
Searcy, AR 72149
501-279-4027
ascarter@harding.edu

Title IX Training Materials

Title IX Training for Coordinators, Investigators, and Hearing Officers

Title IX coordinators, investigators, and hearing officers receive training on the definitions of misconduct under the Title IX Misconduct policy, the scope of Harding’s education program or activity, how to conduct an investigation and grievance process including hearings and appeals, and how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias. These individuals receive annual training on the issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of victims and promotes accountability.

Investigators receive training on issues of relevance to create an investigation report that fairly summarizes relevant evidence. Hearing officers receive training 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.

Materials used to train Title IX coordinators, investigators, and hearing officers will not rely on sex stereotypes and will promote impartial investigations and adjudications of formal complaints of Title IX misconduct.

Materials used to train Title IX coordinators, investigators, and hearing officers can be found here:

Title IX Coordinator and Administrator Level One Training and Certification Course 

Title IX Coordinator and Administrator Level Two Training and Certification Course 

Title IX Coordinator and Administrator Level Two Training and Certification Course

Title IX Hearing Officer and Decision-Maker Training and Certification Course

Civil Rights Investigator Training and Certification Level One Course

Civil Rights Investigator Training and Certification Level Two Course

Victims of Sexual Harassment or Misconduct

Annual Security Report

NCAA Student-Athletes

The NCAA Board of Governors issued a revised Policy on Campus Sexual Violence on April 27, 2021. Starting in the 2022-2023 academic year, this policy requires that students participating in athletics annually disclose whether they have engaged in conduct that resulted in discipline through a Title IX or sexual misconduct proceeding or in a criminal conviction for sexual, interpersonal, or other acts of violence. Transfer student-athletes also must disclose whether a Title IX or sexual misconduct proceeding was incomplete at the time of transfer. The policy also requires institutions to take reasonable steps to confirm whether these student-athletes have been disciplined or convicted for such conduct, and requires imember institutions to share relevant disciplinary information with each other when a student-athlete attempts to enroll in a different member institution.

The NCAA recognizes each member institution must collect and confirm this information in a manner consistent with federal and state law and may choose to collect additional information beyond the scope of the NCAA Board of Governors Policy on Campus Sexual Violence based upon their own policies and procedures.

Harding University educates all student-athletes, coaches, and staff each year on sexual violence prevention, intervention, and response. For more information see Harding University's NCAA student-athlete serious misconduct policy.pdf.

Responsible Employees

Title IX regulations identify Harding faculty and staff members as Responsible Employees (Except professional counselors acting in their capacity as a counselor). Responsible employees are required to report immediately any information they know about suspected prohibited conduct or potential violations of the Title IX Misconduct Policy to the appropriate Title IX coordinator.

Materials used to train responsible employees can be found here:

Responsible Employee Training PPT