Title IX

Title IX and EEO: Commitment to a Discrimination Free Environment

Welcome to the Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District's Title IX and Equity Webpage

At Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District, we are dedicated to creating and maintaining a secure, respectful, and inclusive environment across our colleges. Our office is deeply committed to upholding the principles of equity and fairness, adeptly handling Title IX cases and all other forms of discrimination. Whether you're in search of advice, support, or information about these matters, our team is here to protect and uphold the rights of every member of our community.

We take pride in our empathetic and understanding approach, dedicated to ensuring justice and inclusivity. We encourage you to explore our website to learn about the services and resources we offer. Discover how we can assist you in contributing to a college environment where each individual is valued and heard.

Our commitment extends to ensuring compliance with Title IX regulations and addressing any form of discrimination or harassment based on protected status, including but not limited to age, disability, gender, race, and sexual orientation. We adhere to policies and procedures that emphasize safety, fairness, trauma-informed practices, and due process.

The Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District aims to prevent discrimination and harassment, respond to reports of misconduct, and work towards remedying and preventing future harm. Through education, training, and responsive action, we strive to maintain an educational environment free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence.

For more detailed information on our policies, training programs, and how to report an incident, please refer to the relevant sections of our website. Our dedicated team is always available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Title IX is a federal civil rights law that was passed in 1972 as part of the Education Amendments. It states that “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.” In essence, Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. This applies to all aspects of education including admissions, financial aid, academics, housing, athletics, and more.

The Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District takes our Title IX obligations seriously. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all community members have equal access to education and activities free from sex discrimination and sexual violence. The Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District Title IX office is a neutral office committed to safety, fairness, trauma-informed practices, and due process. The District Title IX works preventively to prevent discrimination and harassment, receives and responds to reports of misconduct, and will work to remedy and prevent future harm.

The District also provides direction and support for the Title IX offices at the District’s two colleges, Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College. We assist in implementing Districtwide initiatives and best practices in harassment prevention and response. We also lead or provide investigative support, develop and deliver education and training to Title IX designees and other District partners involved in preventing and responding to sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Update On New Title IX Policy and Procedures, January 9, 2025

The U.S. Department of Education issued new Title IX regulations on April 19, 2024. These regulations broaden protections against sex discrimination to include sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy/lactation. They also require schools to take a more proactive approach to preventing and addressing sex discrimination.

Summary of the Kansas Case

The Kansas Case, formally known as State of Kansas v. Cardona, challenges the 2024 Title IX regulations that expand the definition of sex-based discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Plaintiffs, including the State of Kansas and certain organizations, argue that the Department of Education overstepped its authority without clear authorization from Congress.

The Court issued a preliminary injunction halting the enforcement of these regulations in Kansas and other involved states, citing concerns about significant legal and operational burdens and potential First Amendment infringements.

Grossmont College has been identified as one of the institutions affected by the latest Title IX injunctions related to the "Kansas case". This is due to alleged memberships with organizations such as Female Athletes United, Moms for Liberty, Young Americas Foundation, and/or the Christian Educators Association.

January 9, 2025 Summary of the Federal Court's Ruling in Tennessee v. Cardona (Kansas Case) and Its Effect on GCCCD Title IX Office

A federal district court in Kentucky recently issued a ruling in the case Tennessee v. Cardona, which challenges the 2024 Title IX Regulations. The court issued a preliminary injunction and, following additional proceedings, ruled that the 2024 regulations were unconstitutional and violated the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). As a result, the court ordered a vacatur of the regulations, which effectively removes them from the books nationwide, making them unenforceable. This ruling impacts Title IX processes and policies across all states, including those where the regulations had previously been in effect.

Key Points:

Nationwide Impact of Vacatur: The vacatur means the 2024 Title IX Regulations are no longer valid in any state, including those where they were in effect. The ruling suggests that these regulations were unlawful from their inception and are now invalid, eliminating the need for compliance with them.
Effect on Schools and Colleges: The ruling raises several questions for institutions, particularly regarding complaints filed between August 1, 2024, and January 9, 2025, when the 2024 regulations were active in certain states.
Implications for Investigations and Findings: The vacatur could also impact previous decisions and findings made under the 2024 regulations.
Return to 2020 Regulations: As of January 9, 2025, schools across the country are expected to comply with the 2020 Title IX Regulations. Therefore, it is anticipated that the GCCCD Title IX Office will update its policies and procedures to align with these regulations moving forward.
Impact on Training and Resources: GCCCD Title IX Office will no longer offer training based on the 2024 regulations and will instead focus on the 2020 regulations. Institutions are advised to adjust their training materials and procedures accordingly.

Effect on GCCCD Title IX Office:

Reversion to 2020 Regulations: The GCCCD Title IX Office will likely need to revert to the 2020 Title IX Regulations for all complaints and investigations moving forward.
Review of Active and Closed Cases: The office will carefully review any ongoing or recent cases filed between August 1, 2024, and January 9, 2025, to determine whether they were processed under the invalid 2024 regulations.
Policy and Procedure Updates: Policies and procedures should be updated to reflect the reinstatement of the 2020 Title IX Regulations and ensure compliance with the current legal landscape.

Nevertheless, California law remains clear and binding in ensuring protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and related characteristics. GCCCD is steadfast in adhering to the requirements of the California Equity in Higher Education Act, codified in Education Code sections 66250 et seq., which mandates the prohibition of discrimination in education programs and activities based on these and other protected characteristics.

Summary of Differences Between the 2020 and 2024 DOE Title IX Amendments

Given the evolving nature of this situation and additional cases pending in other states, further changes to our policies may occur. We will continue to closely monitor developments and provide updates as necessary. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we align our policies with the latest federal requirements. Your patience during this transition period is greatly valued as we work to ensure the protection and support of all members of our community.

For any questions or concerns regarding these interim policies and procedures, please contact:

Michael Salvador
Director of EEO/Title IX/Diversity
Email: michael.salvador@gcccd.edu
Phone: 619-644-7039

Filing a Title IX Report:: GCCCD Title IX Complaint Form

TITLE IX Education and Training

The Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District (GCCCD) is committed to maintaining an environment free of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. As such, all members of the GCCCD community — students, staff, faculty, and other academic appointees — are required to receive sexual violence prevention training and education regularly.

GCCCD’s districtwide curriculum through the Vision Resource Center (VRC) (Vision Resource Center Login) educates our community about sexual violence, how to prevent it, the role of intervention, and what local resources are available.

Key concepts covered in GCCCD’s districtwide mandatory training for every audience are:

Definitions of different forms of sexual violence
Bystander intervention
onding to sexual violence using methods that acknowledge the impact of violence and trauma on survivors’ lives
Local resources, including confidential support for survivors of sexual violence and appropriate services for those accused of sexual violence
Rights and options about reporting sexual violence

Students 

Federal law and university policy require that all new students receive education and training about sexual violence prevention. All incoming students are required to complete a 75-minute online training course prior to enrolling in classes.

Once admitted, students will be automatically assigned the online training and notified via their school email accounts. If the training courses are failed or are marked incomplete, a hold may be placed on the student's account, and they may not be able to complete enrollment for classes. 

Faculty and Supervisors

Faculty and supervisors are required to complete two hours of sexual harassment prevention training every two years. New faculty and supervisors are required to take training within the first six months of hire. Continuing employees will receive an email notification before the two-year anniversary of their previous compliance. Courses may be completed online through the Vision Resource Center. Employees will be notified that they have been assigned the training via their work email accounts.

All supervisors, including all employees with HEERA designations, or employees who may meet the following criteria are required to complete the training:

“Any individual having the authority, and the interest of the employer, to hire, transfer, suspend, layoff, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward or discipline other employees, or the onsibility to direct them, or to adjust their grievances, or effectively to recommend that action, if, in connection with the foregoing, the exercise of that authority is not merely of a routine or clerical nature, but requires the use of independent judgment.”

Staff and Academic Appointees Who are Not Supervisors

Staff and academic appointees who are not supervisors are required to complete two hours of sexual harassment prevention training every two years. New employees are required to take the training within the first six weeks of hire. Continuing employees will receive an email notification before the two-year anniversary of their previous compliance. 

Designated employees who are required to report sexual violence to a Title IX Officer will receive training on their legal obligations. Courses may be completed online through the Vision Resource Center. Employees will be notified that they have been assigned the training via their work email accounts.

Determining whether the Policy applies or whether or what process and measures may be used for a specific matter can be complicated; Director of Title IX/EEO/Diversity Michael Salvador can answer questions you have about this, or you may read the Policy to learn more. (michael.salvador@gcccd,edu / 6196447039

Employees (all faculty and staff)

Michael Salvador, GCCCD District Director and Title IX Coordinator
Michael.Salvador@gcccd.edu
8800 Grossmont College Drive, Bldg. 38H
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7039

Students:

Sara Varghese, Dean of Student Affairs
Grossmont College - Title IX Investigator
Sara.Varghese@gcccd.edu
8800 Grossmont College Drive, Room 60-203
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7159

Lauren Vaknin, Dean of Student Affairs
Cuyamaca College - Title IX Investigator
Lauren.Vaknin@gcccd.edu
900 Rancho San Diego Pkwy, Room I-115
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 660-4295

Anti-Semitic and Anti-Islamic Harassment Policy Guidance for Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District

Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District (GCCCD) is committed to protecting all students and employees from discrimination and harassment based on identity, including the protected classes of religion, race, color, national origin, and ancestry. This protection extends to individuals of all religious backgrounds, including but not limited to Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh faiths. Anti-Semitism, defined as a certain perception of Jewish people that may be expressed as hatred, and Islamophobia, similarly directed toward Muslim people, are unacceptable at GCCCD.

Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia can target Jewish, Muslim, and other individuals, their property, and community institutions and religious facilities. Such behavior constitutes discrimination or harassment based on protected classes of religion, race, color, national origin, and/or ancestry.

Discriminatory behavior includes, but is not limited to:

Slurs or stereotypes
Harassment based on physical appearance, including skin color, hair style, or attire reflecting ethnic and religious traditions
Harassment based on speech, including names associated with shared ancestry, speaking a language other than English, or speaking with an accent

These behaviors contradict the values of GCCCD and will be addressed. When such actions are so severe or pervasive that they limit a student’s or employee’s ability to participate in or benefit from the educational or work environment, they violate our campus nondiscrimination policies and will be handled by the appropriate GCCCD authority.

In cases where the behavior is constitutionally protected speech that does not violate our policies but is still harmful, we encourage the community to engage in respectful dialogue to raise awareness about the impact of their words. GCCCD values and protects both the right to be free from protected class discrimination and harassment and the right to express constitutionally protected ideas.

To report identity-based discrimination or harassment and to access support services, please contact the GCCCD Equity Offices. We encourage every member of our community to support one another and uphold our values to ensure an inclusive learning and working environment.

If you have questions, please contact:

Michael Z. Salvador
Director of Title IX, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Diversity
Phone: 619-644-7039
Email: michael.salvador@gcccd.edu