Title IX Compliance

The College prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment that violates federal or state law, Board Policy 3-120 or Board Policy 4-120. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion or sexual orientation. The College complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; Executive Order 11246, and sections 24-34-301, C.R.S. et seq. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact: Title IX Compliance/Equal Opportunity Officer, Director of Human Resources, 1802 Colorado Ave., McDivitt Rm 140, La Junta, CO 81050, 719-384-6824.

For Title IX Training Materials, see CCCS System Procedure 19-60, Training and Compliance Requirements (Appendix B). Title IX Training Materials for coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, facilitation of informal resolutions, and live hearings can be found here.

SP 19-60 Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct Resolution Process

Title IX & Sexual Harrassment Response - Advanced Course

Title IX Coordinator & Investigator Training

New Title IX Coordinator and Investigator Training 

2021 Title IX Training Slides

Americans with Disabilities Act

Discrimination based on disability in admission to, access to and the operation of programs, services or activities of Otero College is prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Questions, complaints and requests for additional information may be directed to the Accessibility Service Specialist located in the Learning Commons in Wheeler Hall, 719-384-6963.

 

Student Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures

Students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct and policies and procedures of the College and if students are charged with violating this College’s code, they are entitled to have these procedures followed in the consideration of the charge. Copies of the Student Disciplinary Procedure are available from the Vice President of Student Affairs or go to: http://www.otero.edu/content/policy/pdf/SP4-30.pdf
The Student Grievance Procedure is intended to allow students an opportunity to present an issue which they feel warrants actions, including the right to secure educational benefits and services without regard to sex, race, national origin or ancestry, creed, color, disability, or age, and have the issue considered in a prompt and equitable fashion. Copies of the Student Grievance Procedure are available from the Vice President of Student Affairs or go to: http://www.otero.edu/content/policy/pdf/SP4-31.pdf
If the basis of the claim is discrimination and/or harassment based on federal or state civil rights laws, the student must file a grievance under the Civil Rights Grievance and Investigation Process. If the accused (respondent) is a student, please refer to SP 4-31a. If the respondent is an Otero employee, please refer to SP 3-50a. Copies of the policies can be viewed at: http://www.otero.edu/ComplaintProcedures.aspx

 

Distance Education Grievance and Appeal Procedures

A student taking any Otero College courses who has a complaint about her or his experience with Otero College has two options:

1.The student can follow Otero College’s process for student complaints, which is located in this document.
2. The student may also contact the Higher Learning Commission, which is Otero’s accrediting agency, at the following web link: Complaints: Higher Learning Commisson

Students who reside outside of Colorado while attending Otero College in many cases can file a complaint in the state where they are residing. 

Before exercising either of the above options, students should know that most (if not all) external complaint processes require that the student exhaust all avenues of complaint internal to the institution before they will consider a grievance.

 

Student Bill of Rights

The General Assembly implemented the Student Bill of Rights (C.R.S.23-1-125) to assure that students enrolled in public institutions of higher education have the following rights:

a. A quality general education experience that develops competencies in reading, writing, mathematics, technology and critical thinking through an integrated arts and science experience;
b. Students should be able to complete their associate of arts and associate of science degree programs in no more than sixty credit hours or their baccalaureate programs in no more than one hundred twenty credit hours unless there are additional degree requirements recognized by the commission;
c. A student can sign a two-year or four-year graduation agreement that formalizes a plan for that student to obtain a degree in two or four years, unless there are additional degree requirements recognized by the commission;
d. Students have a right to clear and concise information concerning which courses must be completed successfully to complete their degrees;
e. Students have a right to know which courses are transferable among the state public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education;
f. Students, upon completion of core general education courses, regardless of the delivery method, should have those courses satisfy the core course requirements of all Colorado public institutions of higher education;
g. Students have a right to know if courses from one or more public higher education institutions satisfy the students' degree requirements;
h. A student's credit for the completion of the core requirements and core courses shall not expire for ten years from the date of initial enrollment and shall be transferable.

 

Non-Discrimination Statement

Otero College prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment including those that violate federal and state law or the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education Board Policies 3-120 and 4-120. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its employment practices or educational programs and activities. Otero College will take appropriate steps to ensure that the lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in vocational education programs.

The College has designated the Director of Human Resources, as its AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (AA), OFFICER, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (EO), AND TITLE IX COORDINATOR with the responsibility to coordinate its civil rights compliance activities and grievance procedures. If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Human Resources at 719-384-6824, EOandTitleIXCoordinator@otero.edu, or 1802 Colorado Ave. McDivitt Room 140, La Junta, CO 81050.

You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Region VIII, Federal Office Building, 1244 North Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204, telephone (303) 844-3417.

 

Sexual Harassment Statement

Sexual harassment is a violation of federal law, a violation of professional ethics, and a form of discrimination. It is the policy of Otero College that unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or educational opportunity; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is the basis for employment or educational decisions affecting such individuals; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance, creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment. Such conduct will not be tolerated. Substantiated charges will result in disciplinary action. Questions or complaints should be directed to the Director of Human Resources, McDivitt Rm 140, or 719-384-6824. For more information go to: Otero Sexual Harassment Policy Overview.

 

Campus Sex Crime Prevention Act

The Campus Sex Crime Prevention Act, and Colorado Law, provides a way to track convicted sex offenders. Post-secondary institutions are required to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information may be obtained concerning registered sex offenders. (C.R.S. 23-5-125). Information may be obtained by contacting the La Junta Police Department at: 601 Colorado Ave. La Junta, CO 81050, 719-384-2525.

 

Resources for Victims of Sexual Misconduct

Under Colorado law, public colleges are required to provide the following information for students who are victims of sexual assault.
If you are a victim of a sexual assault, you may request a medical forensic exam. This is important if you think you want to seek legal action. It is vital that a victim obtains medical treatment as soon as possible and does not bathe, shower, douche, or change clothes until given permission by medical personnel. You can have the exam without having to report the assault to law enforcement. You will not be charged for the cost of the exam.

The College has an agreement with the following providers for the exam. Ryon Medical Center 1420 East 3rd Street La Junta, CO 81050 phone: 719-383-0303 Parkview Medical Center 400 West 16th Street Pueblo, CO 81003 phone: 719-584-4400. If you do not have transportation to the facility, you may contact a friend or family member, or Arkansas Valley Resource Center at 719-384-7764. Any cost for transportation is the responsibility of the student.

 

On Campus Resources

Vice President of Student Affairs 1802 Colorado Avenue - McBride Hall Room 132 - La Junta, CO 81050 719-384-6833
The Vice President of Student Affairs assists with the academic-related needs of students who have experienced sexual misconduct and may provide changes to academic situations and will notify the student as to what changes are reasonably available.

Title IX Coordinator/Director of Human Resources 1802 Colorado Avenue - McDivitt Rm 140  - La Junta, CO 81050 719-384-6824
The Title IX Coordinator provides information about the student conduct process, legal and criminal options, and other possible remedies.

 

Off Campus Resources

Southeast Mental Health Services 711 Barnes Avenue - La Junta, CO 81050 (719) 384-5446 - www.southeasthealthgroup.org

 

Arkansas Valley Resource Center and Otero College have come together to collaborate to serve victims of violent crimes. Arkansas Valley Resource Center serves victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and all other victims of violent crime. Arkansas Valley Resource Center will provide safety planning, peer counseling, advocacy, info/support, assistance with victim's compensation and victim's rights to Otero College students upon direct student request, or by referral from Otero College staff or faculty.

Referrals will be made when necessary to other networking agencies.

Victims of sexual offenses can also be seen confidentially through the Arkansas Valley Resource Center.

Arkansas Valley Resource Center, Inc. 
PO BOX 716 
415 Colorado Ave La Junta, CO 81050
24/7 Hotline (719) 384-7764 
Fax (719) 384-1938 
TTD (719) 384-1938 
www.arkansasvalleyresourcecenter.org