Campus Safety

Title IX Resources & Protections

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities, including academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities at the College.

West Shore Community College is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all students and employees. Our commitment to effectively respond to experiences of sexual harassment and gender-based violence requires that College faculty and staff report disclosures of gender-based misconduct and/or sexual misconduct involving a member of the campus community to the Title IX Coordinator. Disclosures of pregnancy, new parenting status or lactation status are also reported to the Title IX Coordinator in order to provide reasonable accommodations. When reporting, faculty and staff must provide relevant details to assist with the College with response; this information will remain private and requests for confidentiality will be respected but cannot be guaranteed. The Title IX Coordinator will follow up with the reporting student or employee directly to offer options for disclosure and formal complaint grievance procedures.

For assistance with Title IX, please contact:

Debbie Campbell
Director of Human Resources / Title IX Coordinator
Administrative and Conference Building
Office 117B
231-843-5819
djcampbell@westshore.edu

Or

Chris Barry
Dean of Student Services/Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Schoenherr Campus Center
Office 105D
231-843-5965
Cbarry1@westshore.edu

________________________________________

TITLE IX – Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Title IX?
It’s a federal law which states, ” 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 of the Education Amendments of 1972, Implementing Regulations at: 20 U.S.C § 1681 & 34 C.F.R. Part 106

On May 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education published long-anticipated official final regulations governing institutional responses to Title IX “sexual harassment,” including sexual violence. 85 Fed. Reg. 30026 (May 19, 2020) (“Final Rule”). Along with defining the scope of an institution’s Title IX jurisdiction, these comprehensive regulations indicate the supportive measures that institutions must offer to individuals who report sexual harassment, and the grievance process institutions must provide to complainants and respondents before issuing any disciplinary sanction arising from a formal complaint. These regulations are effective as of August 14, 2020.

What are Title IX Protections for Pregnant and New Parenting Students?
Title IX legislation also protects pregnancy and parenting students by providing reasonable accommodations. The College is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students. Pregnant and parenting students at the College will not be excluded from any class, activity, or program on the basis of sex, pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or recovery therefrom. Pregnant and parenting students may request reasonable accommodations when necessary because of pregnancy or parenting status, which, depend on the student’s individual needs and circumstances.

Recommended resources related to Title IX Protections for pregnant or new parenting status:

• Title IX Basics from the Pregnancy Scholar
• Office of Civil Rights – Know Your Rights for Pregnancy and Parenting Students
• U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights – October 2022 Brochure

What training is provided to Title IX personnel?
Materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process can be found at:

• Title IX Coordinator Level 2 ATIXA
• HE Title IX Regulations Refresher 01-07-2025
• ADA and Section 504 Foundations for Higher Education

How do I begin the TITLE IX process?
The first step to the Title IX process is to speak with the Title IX Coordinator at West Shore Community College who will listen and ask questions to determine if the report fits the Title IX regulation requirements for jurisdiction or if referral to the College’s student conduct process is more appropriate. Supportive measures and appeal options are also explained during the process. A formal written complaint submitted directly to the Title IX Coordinator is required to begin the TItle IX investigation process. A summary of the TitleIX grievance process can be reviewed the Title IX and Violence Against Women Brochure.

Title IX legislation also provides reasonable accommodations for pregnant and parenting students enrolled at the College if they have disclosed their status. If you believe you have not received reasonable accommodations, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Entire Policy:
Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy

Board Policy 6055

Minors must be under the supervision of a responsible adult any time they are on College property. The President shall enact procedures to manage risks associated with minors on campus and encourage a safe and secure environment.

Campus Sexual Assault Resources can be viewed here.

West Shore Community College (WSCC) prohibits hazing in all forms, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate. Any individual or student organization found responsible for hazing may be subject to College disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, and civil liability.

WSCC complies with both Michigan Law (MCL 750.411t, also known as “Garret’s Law”) and the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (Public Law 118–173).

What Is Hazing?

Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act—whether carried out by one person or in concert with others—directed at an individual in connection with:

Initiation into,
Affiliation with, or
Continued membership in a student group or organization

…that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another person—whether or not they consented.

Examples of hazing include:

• Forced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
• Physical abuse or forced strenuous exercise
• Deprivation of sleep or exposure to extreme elements
• Coercion to commit illegal or degrading acts
• Psychological harm, humiliation, or threats of harm

Reporting Hazing

If you suspect hazing, report it immediately. Anonymous reports are accepted, but may limit our ability to investigate. Students who report hazing in good faith will not face discipline for minor policy violations revealed in their report

Ways to Report Hazing:

• Report online with an option to anonymously report
• Any college employee, if you aren’t sure who to report to contact Dean of Student Services, Chris Barry, Schoenherr Campus Center, P.O. Box 277, Scottville, MI 49454
• 231-843-5965 or cbarry1@westshore.edu
• Contact local law enforcement

Retaliation against individuals who report hazing is strictly prohibited.

Investigation & Sanctions

All reports of hazing are investigated by the Dean of Student Services or a designated investigator using the preponderance of the evidence standard. For more information, see Campus Standards of Conduct. Sanctions may include:

• Written warnings
• Disciplinary probation or suspension
• Removal of College recognition for organizations
• Educational or corrective actions

In addition, hazing may result in criminal penalties under Michigan Law, which may be prosecuted independently of the College’s internal process.

Prevention & Education

WSCC provides annual hazing prevention training for students, faculty and staff. These programs include:

• Bystander intervention
• Ethical leadership
• Healthy alternatives to hazing

Access training by logging into WSCC’s training platform and searching for “Hazing Awareness and Prevention.”

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

As required by federal law, WSCC publishes a Campus Hazing Transparency Report if a student organization is found responsible for hazing. This report includes:

• The name of the student organization
• A summary of the incident and sanctions
• Relevant dates (incident, investigation, and publication)

If no findings are made, no report will be published.
Reports will be updated twice per year beginning July 1, 2025 and maintained for five years.
Hazing statistics and related policy statements are also included in WSCC’s federally mandated Annual Security Report (ASR).

Additional Resources

• Report Hazing through our online form
• Campus Standards of Conduct
• Annual Security Report
• Campus Hazing Transparency Report (when available)
• Hazing Prevention Training Access

West Shore Community College is committed to a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students. Hazing has no place in our campus community.

Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse Resources can be viewed here.

West Shore Community College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, employees and community members who use the facilities. West Shore Community College is responsible for reporting the number of criminal offenses committed on campus on a yearly basis.

Procedure
If an employee of West Shore Community College becomes aware of a criminal act or any emergency occurring on campus, they must notify the appropriate authorities by calling 911. The College will then receive a notification from 911 dispatch regarding the emergency on campus.

Reports of criminal actions or other emergencies should also be reported, within 24 hours, to the Business Office using an incident report form.

All reports will be thoroughly investigated by the College. Local law enforcement agencies will be involved when necessary. Violations of West Shore Community College regulations, campus standards, and/or policies by students or employees will be handled in accordance with the appropriate disciplinary procedures.  Violations of city/local ordinances and regulations by students, employees and others will be referred to the appropriate enforcement authority for action. The Business Office will maintain all records of reports of alleged offenses, investigations and action taken.

Policy Distribution
Annual Security Report and Policies.

There are evacuation route and shelter area maps posted in the hallways of all WSCC buildings. Take time to review the map for your area, so you will know the best route to exit the building or to seek shelter inside during an emergency.
During an emergency – walk and remain calm. Help persons with disabilities or notify emergency rescue personnel to assist a person with disabilities.

Remember:
– Be aware of pre-designated primary and alternate evacuations routes.
– Leave buildings in an orderly manner.
– Each employee is responsible to insure that their work area is secure as he/she evacuates. – This includes closing windows, verifying that all persons are out of an area and closing the door as he/she leaves. Do Not re-enter an area that has been evacuated. The closed door signals to all that space is secure.
– Evacuate and proceed to assigned building (the links below detail the evacuation route for each building).

• Administrative & Conference Building
• Arts & Science Center
• Automotive Technology Building
• Ice Arena
• Manistee Center – Main Level
• Manistee Center – Lower Lever
• Public Safety Building – Main Level
• Public Safety Building – Basement
• Recreation Center – Upper Level
• Recreation Center – Lower Level
• Schoenherr Campus Center – Main Level
• Schoenherr Campus Center – Upper Level
• Technical Center

How to sign up for WSCC Alerts

Signing up for WSCC Alerts is easy. Just text WSCCAlert to 99411 to enroll. You will receive a confirmation text letting you know you are enrolled and ready to receive alerts.

What is WSCC Alerts?

• West Shore Community College has partnered with CodeRED Mobile Safety, the leader in mobile safety, to offer an emergency notification system capable of sending users text messages.

What type of messages will I receive?

• WSCC will only send you messages related to emergencies or college closings. This system allows us to notify you via texting to your cell phone.In the event of an emergency on campus and or other conditions exist that may impact health or safety, we will notify you by your preferred notification method.  These notifications will include, but are not limited to:
  • Weather Cancellations / Warnings/ Closings
  • Fire
  • Natural disasters
  • Security threats
  • Power outage

Who can subscribe/use the service?

• Any student, staff, or faculty member of WSCC can subscribe to the service.

What mobile phone carriers are supported?

• All U.S. mobile carriers are supported.

Will I receive advertisements or text messaging SPAM?

• No, never. We respect your privacy and you will never receive anything besides official WSCC communications. We pledge to only use the system in the event of health, safety threats, or closings.  Of course, the system may be periodically tested.

Who do I contact for assistance?

• If you need assistance, contact WSCC Media Services, 231-843-5920

How will I identify incoming messages from WSCC Alerts?

• You will be sent messages from what are known as short codes. The messages will come from 99411. We encourage you to save these numbers into your phone so you will recognize them when messages are sent.

How do I stop getting messages?

• To stop receiving messages, text the words, “WSCCALERT STOP” to 99411.

West Shore Community College has various security cameras on campus grounds and in buildings.  The College collaborates with local law enforcement as needed but does not have a campus police or security department. The following employees are designated as Campus Security Authorities (CSAs). All crimes should be reported to a CSA to ensure inclusion in annual crime statistics and to aid in providing timely warning notices to the community.

• Dean of Student Services – Christopher Barry – 231-843-5965
• Director of Human Resources – Debbie Campbell – 231-843-5819

In the event an individual does not feel safe walking alone on campus, a CSA can also discuss alternatives such as an escort, different parking locations, etc. In an emergency, dial 911.

Voluntary Confidential Reporting

If a victim of a crime does not want to pursue action within the college system or the criminal justice system, the victim may still want to consider making a confidential report. With the victim’s permission, the Confidential Resource (Director of Mental Health Services/Counselor – Julie Dill – 843-5942 or jdill@westshore.edu – Schoenherr Campus Center – Student Services Office) can complete a report with the details of the incident without revealing the victim’s identity.