Title IX

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 sexual misconduct. You have the right and can expect to have incidents of gender-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, witnesses, and the accused individual, as necessary, but with the utmost care.

Students and Staff are encouraged to report any incidents of gender-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 Harassment, Discrimination (Including Sexual Misconduct), 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, some individuals on campus have an obligation to report. These individuals are known as Responsible Employees (also known as Campus Security Authorities or Campus Reporting 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 or gender-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. Counselors are confidential resources. OCC Counseling Services is located in the Administration Bldg. (#1), Suite 120; 732-255-0400 x 2911; counselingservices@ocean.edu

In order to report an incident, you may contact any of the following:

EMERGENCIES – DIAL 911

COMPLAINT REPORTING FORM

OCC Security and Safety, Toms River

Telephone: (732) 255-0400, Press 8
Telephone: (732) 255-0400, ext. 2200 or ext. 2170
Telephone: (732) 255-0451

OCC Security and Safety, Southern Education Center

Telephone: (732) 255-0400, ext. 679

Title IX Coordinator

Eileen Buckle, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator
Administration Bldg (#1), Suite 112
Telephone: (732) 255-0400, ext. 2944
Email: TitleIXCoordinator@ocean.edu

Campus Security Authorities (CSA)

*See above

Click on the topics below to read policies related to Title IX:

• Formal Student Complaints
• Students Campus Life: Student Discipline
• Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Harassment Policy

Ocean County Resources

• Call 911 for EMERGENCY
• Providence House– Domestic Violence Services: (732) 244-8259
  • (800) 246-8910 for a 24-hour hotline, provides emergency shelter, emergency safe hour, individual and group counseling, children’s counseling program, legal advocacy, court accompaniment, the 911 cell phone program
• Dottie’s House – Domestic Violence: (732) 262-2009
• Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office: (732) 929-2027
  • Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Unit: (732) 929-2019
  • Victim/Witness Unit: (732) 929-2027
• St. Francis Counseling Service/Sexual Abuse and Assault Program:
  • Northern Ocean County 24-hour Hotline: (732) 370-4010
  • Southern Ocean County 24-hour Hotline: (609) 494-1090
  • Appointments and Information: (609) 494-1551
• Contact of Ocean County 24-hour crisis helpline: (732) 240-6100

 New Jersey Resources

• NJ Domestic Violence 24/7 Hotline: (800)-572-SAFE (7233)

 National Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233) 24-hour hotline Established by the Violence Against Women Act. “Provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence.”
• Office on Violence Against Women (OVW): “A component of the U.S. Department of Justice. OVW implements the provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and provides national leadership on the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.”
• Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): “the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.” RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline.  Free, confidential, 24/7: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly the National Suicide Prevention Hotline): “The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.”
• Love Is Respect: Offers resources to “engage, educate, and empower young people to prevent and end abusive relationships.”
• Pandora’s Project: “A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, and resources to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their friends and family.” Provides resources for all survivors including men and LGBTQIA+ survivors.
• Child Welfare Information Gateway: For information on local state laws regarding mandatory reporting and confidentiality.
• MCSR (formerly Men Can Stop Rape): “Rooted in community, based in strength, and grounded in respect, MCSR prevents violence through transformational programs and services for youth and adults that promote healthy masculinity and empowered womanhood.”
• Violence Against Women – It’s a Men’s Issue: A prominent TED talk by Jackson Katz, Ph.D.
• White Ribbon: “The world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls, promote gender equity, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.”

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.