51黑料网

鈥淣O 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.鈥

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 20 U.S.C. 搂 1681(a)

What is...

Title IX
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Misconduct

Title IX

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance. This protection includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence. Title IX applies to a broad range of University programs and activities, including admissions, recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, athletics, housing, and employment.

51黑料网 is committed to maintaining an educational and working environment free from sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, relationship violence, dating and domestic violence, and stalking.

Sexual Misconduct Policies, Prevention, and Resources

Sexual misconduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at McMurry University. The University provides resources, support, and reporting options for students, faculty, and staff who have concerns related to sexual harassment, sexual violence, or other conduct prohibited by Title IX and University policy.

Additional information is available in the McMurry University Sexual Misconduct Policy, which is included in the Employee Handbook and the Student Handbook.

Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Title IX Coordinators

51黑料网 has designated Josh Jones to serve as its Title IX Coordinator. The University has also designated Caroline Cleveland, Head Volleyball Coach and Senior Woman鈥檚 Administrator, and Mr. Mike Johnston, Director of Human Resources and Compliance, to serve as Deputy Title IX Coordinators.

The Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Title IX Coordinators are responsible for monitoring the University鈥檚 compliance with Title IX, receiving reports, addressing concerns and complaints, and coordinating the University鈥檚 response to allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, and other Title IX-related matters.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, physical, written, or electronic conduct of a sexual nature. Examples may include, but are not limited to:

  • Sexual assault, rape, stalking, or relationship violence.
  • Threats or implications that a person鈥檚 academic, employment, housing, athletic, or other University status may be negatively affected for refusing a sexual advance or positively affected for submitting to one.
  • Unwelcome verbal conduct of a sexual nature, including graphic comments about a person鈥檚 body, clothing, appearance, or sexual activity; sexually suggestive or insulting sounds or whistles; and obscene phone calls.
  • Sexually suggestive objects, images, videos, audio recordings, or written materials are placed in a work, residential, or study area in a way that may embarrass, offend, or intimidate others. Materials used in an educational setting should be clearly and substantially related to legitimate academic purposes.
  • Suggestive or sexually explicit posters, calendars, photographs, graffiti, cartoons, or other visual materials, including those distributed electronically.
  • Offensive letters, emails, text messages, social media posts, internet images or transmissions, voicemail messages, or other electronic communications.

What If I Am Not Sure Whether My Experience Constitutes Harassment?

Students are encouraged to report concerns, even when they are unsure whether an experience meets the definition of sexual harassment. Students who make a good-faith report or participate in an investigation will not be subjected to retaliation.

Any student who believes they have experienced retaliation for reporting sexual harassment, participating in an investigation, or supporting another person through the reporting process should immediately contact McMurry University鈥檚 Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator.

Dating Violence

Dating violence is violence committed by a person who is, or has been, in a romantic or intimate social relationship with the person affected. The existence of such a relationship is determined by considering factors such as:

  • The length of the relationship.
  • The type of relationship.
  • The frequency of interaction between the individuals involved.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse, intimate partner, co-parent, person who is or has been cohabitating with the affected individual as a spouse or intimate partner, or any other person whose conduct is covered under applicable domestic or family violence laws.

Stalking

Stalking is a pattern of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their own safety, the safety of others, or the safety of their property. Stalking may violate McMurry University policy and Texas law.

Stalking may include, but is not limited to:

  • Damaging or threatening to damage property.
  • Using the internet, social media, or other methods to post information, harass, intimidate, or spread rumors.
  • Repeatedly sending unwanted or intrusive emails, phone calls, text messages, or other communications.
  • Repeatedly appearing at a person鈥檚 home, school, workplace, business, or another location to maintain unwanted visual or physical proximity.
  • Using other actions, behaviors, or technologies to monitor, track, control, threaten, or frighten another person.

Students, faculty, or staff who believe they have experienced dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, or related misconduct are encouraged to contact McMurry University鈥檚 Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator for support, resources, and reporting options.

Compliance

Policies & Resources

51黑料网 is committed to preventing and addressing sexual misconduct and to maintaining a safe, supportive learning and working environment built on respect, accountability, and responsible conduct.

Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation. Such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within the McMurry University community.

If you have experienced any form of sexual misconduct, please know that you are not alone. McMurry University and community partners offer a range of supportive resources, including emergency assistance, medical care, advocacy services, and confidential counseling. You have the right to seek support and choose the resources and reporting options that are right for you.

Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy Sexual Abuse & Child Molestation Prevention

51黑料网 is committed to maintaining a supportive learning, living, and working environment for campus community members who are pregnant, parenting, or experiencing pregnancy-related conditions.

The University provides supportive resources, reasonable accommodations, and assistance to help students and employees continue participating fully in academic programs, campus life, and workplace activities without discrimination or harassment.

Students and employees who need support are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator to discuss available resources, accommodations, and next steps.

Who Should I Contact for Assistance?

If you have questions or need support related to pregnancy, parenting, childbirth, or related medical conditions, please contact the appropriate office.

Employees

Human Resources Office
Phone: 325-793-4998 or 325-793-3820

Students

Office of Student Accessibility Services
Phone: 325-793-4880

What Type of Assistance Is Available?

Employees

Employees who need workplace accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions may receive assistance through the Human Resources Office.

Students

Students who need academic accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions may receive assistance through the Office of Student Accessibility Services.

Students and employees may also be connected with additional supportive resources related to pregnancy and parenting, including community-based services.

Community Resources

The following organizations provide support services and resources in the Abilene area:

Reporting Concerns

Individuals who believe they have experienced harassment or discrimination based on pregnancy, parenting status, childbirth, or a related medical condition should contact the University鈥檚 Title IX Coordinator.

Title IX Coordinator
Kelly Gallagher
Phone: 325-793-4990
Email: gallagher.kelly@mcm.edu

51黑料网 is committed to ensuring that pregnant and parenting members of the community are supported and able to participate fully in University programs and activities.

51黑料网 provides Title IX training materials and educational resources for Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, faculty, staff, and other members of the University鈥檚 Title IX team.

These resources may include recorded trainings, guidance documents, learning modules, and other materials addressing topics such as reporting procedures, investigative processes, trauma-informed practices, hearing procedures, supportive measures, and compliance with Title IX regulations.

These materials support ongoing education and help ensure that University personnel are prepared to respond promptly, fairly, and appropriately to reports of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and related concerns.

Title IX Training Resources

In accordance with Texas Education Code Section 51.253(c), McMurry University鈥檚 Chief Executive Officer is required to submit a report to the University鈥檚 governing body at least once each fall or spring semester. The report must also be published on the University鈥檚 website.

The report summarizes incidents reported by employees under Texas Education Code Section 51.252. This includes information about whether the reported conduct constituted sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking, as defined by Texas Education Code Section 51.251. The report also includes any disciplinary actions taken under Texas Education Code Section 51.255.

Previous Reports:

2023-2024 Academic Year

University Contacts

Rev.
Ricky Harrison Dean of Students and University Chaplain
Dr.
Marcia Straughn Dean and Professor of Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing
Mr.
Mike Johnston Director of Human Resources & Compliance / Chief of Staff
Human Resources
Caroline Cleveland Head Volleyball Coach

OCR Contacts

The U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws, including Title IX, in educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance.

The OCR enforcement office serving Texas is:

Dallas Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620
Dallas, Texas 75201-6810

Phone: 214-661-9600
Fax: 214-661-9587
TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.Dallas@ed.gov