Title IX

The federal education law requires that the College, as a recipient of federal funds, identify an individual who will be responsible for fulfilling the College’s “Title IX” responsibilities. “Title IX” refers to a section of the federal Higher Education Act which makes it illegal to discriminate against a student or college employee on the basis of gender (also called sex discrimination). Sex discrimination includes all acts of sexual misconduct, including but not limited to sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking.

In 2015, New York State passed one of the nation’s most aggressive laws to end sexual violence on college campuses. Entitled “Enough is Enough”, the law establishes a student “Bill of Rights” to which every college student in New York is entitled, if they are involved in an act of sexual violence while on campus or during a college-related activity. Click this link to learn what your rights are, and to read the Student Bill of Rights.

The College’s Board of Trustees takes the safety and security of all members of the College community serious. Below are policies relating to our processes and procedures in resolving complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, as well as our Student Code of Conduct. All of our Board of Trustees policies and procedures are located on our Policies and Procedures page.

The College’s Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating its Title IX compliance efforts to prevent all forms of sex discrimination. The Title IX Coordinator is charged with oversight and monitoring of Title IX and Enough is Enough related policies and developments; the implementation and oversight of grievance processes and procedures, including notification, investigation and disposition of complaints; provision of educational materials and training for the college community; conducting and/or coordinating investigations of complaints received pursuant to Title IX; ensuring a fair and neutral process for all parties; and monitoring all other aspects of the College’s Title IX compliance.

Schenectady County Community College’s Title IX Coordinator is:

Mark Bessette
Title IX Coordinator
SUNY Schenectady County Community College
78 Washington Avenue
Schenectady, New York 12305
518-381-1353
titleix@sunysccc.edu

Reporting Incidents of Sexual Discrimination

You may report incidents of sex discrimination to the Title IX Coordinator in person during regular business hours, by completing the fillable Complaint/Report form. You may report anonymously; however, the college will be limited in its response if the report is anonymous. Your report will be kept private. This means that information about the report will only be shared with people at the College who need to know in order to adequate respond to your complaint. When possible, names will be redacted from all documents. If you wish to make a confidential report (that is, only the person you report to will know about it and it will go no further), you can do this by contacting Planned Parenthood of Schenectady. Information about who to contact at Planned Parenthood is available in the sexual assault policy (click second bullet above).

If you have been sexually assaulted, you have the right to make a report to the Title IX Coordinator, campus security, to the local police, and/or to the State Police. To report a sexual assault to the State Police using their 24 hour hotline, call 1-844-845-7269. Many resources are available to you. For a comprehensive list of available Title IX resources, visit the SUNY Resource web page.

Memorandum of Understanding with Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson

Read the Memorandum of Understanding with Planned Parenthood

For your privacy and comfort, single user restrooms may be found at the following locations:

On the mezzanine level of Elston Hall, across from the Human Resource Office.
In the Computer, Science and Technology Building, on the ground floor near the elevator.
On the second floor of the Begley Library.
On the sixth floor of Elston Hall in the Biotech Lab.

Campus Climate Assessment

In 2023, in cooperation with the State University of New York and in compliance with the Enough is Enough law, SUNY Schenectady disseminated a Campus Climate Assessment to learn more about the views of faculty, staff and students on issues pertaining to the Title IX program. To survey results can be found here:

Supporting the Academic Success of Pregnant and Parenting Students

Title IX specifically prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. The Title IX regulation also prohibits a school from applying any rule related to a student’s parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently based on their sex. Any special services provided to students who have temporary medical conditions must also be provided to a pregnant student.

More information regarding Title IX requirements regarding pregnant and parenting students can be found on the Office of Civil Rights Website

To request an accommodation, or to discuss your rights, you may contact the Title IX Coordinator or Coordinator of ADA Transition Services.