What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads:
“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.”
–Legal Citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)
Prohibited Sexual Misconduct at Ocean County College includes, but is not limited to:
- Sex-based Harassment
- Sexual Exploitation
- Sexual Assault
- Dating Violence
- Domestic Violence
- Stalking
- Retaliation
Title IX Information and Resources
Ocean County College seeks to provide an environment free from harassment and discrimination.
Title IX law requires that the OCC Title IX Coordinator receive notice of all reports of alleged sex-based misconduct. You have the right and can expect to have incidents of sex-based misconduct taken seriously. Formally reported incidents are investigated thoroughly and equitably and resolved through appropriate administrative procedures. Formal reporting means that information discovered and provided is shared with investigators, advisors, the complainant, and the accused individual (respondent) in accordance with Federal law, but with the utmost care.
Students and Staff are encouraged to report any incidents of sex-based misconduct such as discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, bullying or stalking. Situations like this can cause physical or emotional harm, and create hostile environments that interfere with educational or work pursuits and goals. As required by law, reports may be made by submitting a complaint via the Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) reporting form, ADA/504, and Retaliation Complaint Form, in person, or via phone, electronic mail or postal mail. All contact information may be found under the REPORT IT! drop down menu on this page.
In addition to the Title IX Coordinator, most individuals on campus have an obligation to report. These individuals are known as Responsible Employees (regardless of their designation as Campus Security Authorities). These employees have a duty to report allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct due to their administrative or supervisory responsibilities on campus. Responsible Employees do not have the authority to take action to remedy Title IX violations but are able to assist those who have allegedly experienced harm by informing them of the college’s reporting process and available resources.
Officials with Authority are those OCC employees who are explicitly vested with the responsibility to implement corrective measures on behalf of the institution for sex-based discrimination, harassment, violence, and/or retaliatory conduct involving students, faculty, staff, or third-parties.
Disclosure of different types of sexual misconduct shared with any of the aforementioned individuals must be reported promptly to the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator works collaboratively with the reporter and makes every effort to operate with discretion and maintain the privacy of all parties involved.
Confidential Resources keep your identity and information private and anonymous. The counselors of the OCC Counseling Center are the College’s only confidential resources and have no duty (except in extreme circumstances) to report allegations of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator. Counselors will provide students with the contact information for the Title IX Coordinator to empower you to make a report when you are ready.
OCC Counseling Services is located in the Library Bldg (#3), Ground Floor Room 010; 732-255-0400 x 2911; counselingservices@ocean.edu
In order to report an incident, you may contact any of the following:
EMERGENCIES – DIAL 911
Campus Safety and Security, Toms River
Telephone: (732) 255-0400, Press 8
Telephone: (732) 255-0400, ext. 2200 or ext. 2170
- OCC Manahawkin
- Telephone: (732) 255-0400, ext. 2336
Title IX Coordinator
Eileen Buckle, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator
Library Bldg (#3), Ground Floor, Room 002
Telephone: (732) 255-0400, ext. 2944
Email: TitleIXCoordinator@ocean.edu
Click on the topics below to read policies related to Title IX:
Ocean County Resources
- Call 911 for EMERGENCY
- St. Francis Counseling Service/Sexual Abuse and Assault Program
- 24-Hour Sexual Violence Hotline: (609) 494-1090
- Counseling Service: (609) 494-1554
- Providence House– Domestic Violence Services:
- Outreach Counseling Center: (732) 350-2120
- 24-Hour Hotline: 1 (800) 246-8910 / (732) 244-8259
- Website: www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org
- Dottie’s House
- Domestic violence services including transitional housing
- Contact: (732) 262-2009
- Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office:
- Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Unit: (732) 929-2019
- Victim/Witness Unit: (732) 929-2027
- Contact of Ocean County:
- Free and confidential crisis intervention
- Contact: (732) 240-6100
New Jersey Resources
- NJ Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline:
- Provides confidential access to domestic violence information and services.
- Bilingual and accessible to the deaf and hearing impaired
- 1 (800) 572-SAFE (7223)
- Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ)
- Contact: 1 (888) 576-5529
- Online Intake
- NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA)
- NJ Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline: 1 (800) 601-7200
- NJ Human Trafficking Hotline
- 1 (855) 363-6548
- Victim Assistance Call: Covenant House – (862) 240-2453
National Resources
- National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:
- Bilingual and accessible to the deaf and hearing impaired
- Call 988
- Text 988
- National Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline:
- 1 (800) 799-7233
- Text START to 88788
- Video phone: 855-812-1001
- Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN):
- National Sexual Assault 24/7 Hotline: 1 (800) 656-4673
- Online Chat (English)
- Online Chat (Español)
- The Trevor Project
- 24/7 Free and Confidential Crisis Support for LGBTQ+ Youth
- Contact: 1 (866) 488-7386
- Text: START to 678-678
- National Human Trafficking Hotline (24/7)
- Bilingual
- 1 (888) 373-7888
- TTY: 788
- Text: BEFREE or HELP to 233733
Title IX Fast Fact
While often thought of as a law that applies to athletics programs, Title IX is much broader than athletics and applies to many programs at Ocean County College. Compliance with the law is everyone’s responsibility at Ocean County College. For information on how to contact staff members who have primary responsibility for Title IX compliance, visit the Title IX Team page.
The Title IX Team
Ocean County College has a team of trained employees who are available to assist in cases of sex-based misconduct such as sexual harassment, sexual violence, discrimination or other unwelcome sex-based behavior that occurs on campus or during activities related to school, such as athletic events.
When an incident of sex-based misconduct occurs, OCC promptly, equitably and thoroughly investigates under the parameters of Title IX.
Overseeing the team of trained employees is the College’s Title IX Coordinator. This person is responsible for supervising all activities relating to Title IX investigations, resolutions, and remedies, as well as prevention activities and training programs.
Responsibilities of the Coordinator include:
- Overseeing all Title IX complaints and investigations
- Providing prompt, thorough and equitable investigations and resolutions
- Coordinating training, education, and communication related to Title IX
- Interacting with students, faculty, employees and college administrators about Title IX activities
The Title IX Team also works closely with assigned investigators in the Office of Safety and Security and with personnel in the Counseling Center.
OCC’s Title IX Team
| Name & Title | Title IX Role | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|
| Eileen Buckle, Title IX & ADA/504 Coordinator | Title IX Coordinator | Library Bldg. (#3), Ground Floor, Room 002 (732) 255-0400, ext. 2944 TitleIXCoordinator@ocean.edu |
| Kayla Stahl, Interim Director of Student Conduct | Title IX Investigator | Administration Bldg. (#1), Suite 101 (732) 255-0400, ext. 2390 kstahl@ocean.edu |
| Jacqueline D’Amore Director, Talent and Organizational Development | Title IX Investigator | Library Bldg. (#3), Ground Floor, Room 002 (732) 255-0400, ext. 2148 jdamore@ocean.edu |
| Alison Noone Director, Student Support Services | Title IX Investigator | Administration Bldg. (#1) Room 112 732-255-0400, ext. 2138 anoone@ocean.edu |
Training of Title IX Personnel
Individuals who fill certain roles in the Title IX process must receive training to ensure awareness of their compliance obligation and in order to best provide equitable treatment to Complainants and Respondents and be compliant with the Reporting Procedures required by Title IX. These individuals are the Title IX Coordinator, Investigators, Decision-Makers (including appellate decision-makers), and any person facilitating an Alternative Resolution Process.
The Title IX regulations 34 CFR Part 106.45(b)(10)(i)(D) require OCC to make publicly available information on these trainings beginning August 14, 2020. Training materials for such training is linked in the table below. The list will be updated on a regular basis upon training completion.
ATTENTION: For questions/concerns or if you or someone you know has experienced any form of sexual violence, please contact us.