The Pierce College District (hereinafter Pierce College) supports and values the dignity of each member of its community and is committed to maintaining an environment free from discrimination and harassment. This commitment applies to all levels and areas of operations and programs and is intended to ensure that all students and employees are provided equitable opportunities to realize their goals and to function safely and effectively within the Pierce College environment.

All members of the Pierce College community and visitors have the right to be free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. All individuals are also expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others.

This policy prohibits illegal discriminatory conduct and harassment, not lawful expression. This policy is not intended to limit lawful expression of intellectual inquiry or artistic expression, nor is it intended to restrict lawful expression in course content or department activities.

Pierce College recognizes its responsibility under state laws and their implementing regulations to investigate, resolve, implement corrective measures, and monitor the educational environment and workplace to stop, remediate, and prevent discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal. Pierce College prohibits discrimination against and harassment of members of these protected classes, as well as any additional class(es) protected by local, state, or federal law. Any individual found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including the possibility of exclusion from Pierce College facilities, dismissal from Pierce College as a student, and/or dismissal from employment, as applicable.

Members of the college community or visitors who believe they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the District Title IX/EEO Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, or if for some other reason a report cannot be made to the Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to one of the alternate designees listed below.

District Title IX Coordinator

Sean Cooke

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
Cascade Building, Room 237
9401 Farwest Drive SW
Lakewood, Washington 98498

Email/Phone Number:
scooke@pierce.ctc.edu
253-964-6519

District Section 504 Coordinator

Davi Kallman

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
Cascade Building, Room 301D
9401 Farwest Drive SW
Lakewood, Washington 98498

Email/Phone Number:
dkallman@pierce.ctc.edu
253-912-3715

Alternate Designees

Specific information on filing a complaint, how Pierce College processes and responds to complaints, and a definition of terms related to this policy may be found in the corresponding procedures below.

Corresponding Procedures

Title IX Complaint Procedure

Supplemental Title IX Employee Disciplinary Hearing Procedure

Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedure

Legal Reference

Applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment include, but are not limited to:

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972
  • Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • Age Discrimination Act of 1975
  • Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act
  • Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
  • Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
  • Washington State's Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW

 

Updated 2024-01-22