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.” Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)
Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Title IX Information and Resources
Reporting
To report sexual discrimination, harassment, or assault to the College, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.
Title IX Coordinator
Sarah Catherine Richardson
Director of Student Life
Student Life House
420 W. Madison Street
Pulaski, TN 38478
931-424-4073
scrichardson@martinmethodist.edu
Duties and Responsibilities: Monitoring and oversight of the overall implementation of Title IX Compliance at Martin Methodist, including coordination of training, education, communications, and administration of grievance procedures for faculty, staff, students, and other members of the Martin Methodist community.
Title IX Policy
To download a copy of the Martin Methodist Title IX Policy, please click here.
To download a plain language summary of the Martin Methodist Title IX Policy, please click here for Students and here for Faculty/Staff.
Anonymous Complaints
To submit a complaint regarding sexual discrimination, harassment, or misconduct, please click here.
Consent
The College defines consent as the positive, unambiguous, and voluntary agreement to engage in specific sexual activity throughout a sexual encounter.
Consent must be an informed decision, freely given made through mutually understandable words or actions that indicate a willingness to participate in mutually agreed upon sexual activity. A clear “yes,” verbal or otherwise, is necessary.
When “no” to a form of sexual activity is communicated by word or action, that sexual activity must cease immediately, but Consent cannot be inferred merely from the absence of a “no.”
Consent to some sexual acts does not constitute Consent to others, nor does past Consent to a given act constitute present or future Consent. Consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual encounter and can be revoked by any participant at any time.
Consent cannot be given by an individual who is asleep, unconscious, or mentally or physically Incapacitated, either through the effect of drugs or alcohol or for any other reason. Engaging in sexual activity with a person whom you know—or reasonably should know —to be Incapacitated constitutes Sexual Harassment. Effective Consent is deemed withdrawn at any point during sexual activity when an individual knows or reasonably should know that the other person has become or is Incapacitated.
All parties should be reminded that faculty and staff members are prohibited from engaging in a consensual relationship (romantic or sexual) with a College student.
To view additional guidance offered by the College in regards to Consent, click here.
Advisors
While any person can serve as an Advisor to a Complainant or Respondent in the Title IX process, Martin Methodist has trained Advisors who are familiar with our procedures and policy. To view a catalog of Advisors, please click here.
If You Experience Sexual Violence
Safe Place
Immediately go to a safe place. This may be a friend’s room, Martin Methodist Campus Security, the Pulaski police department, the hospital, or another place where you feel safe and are safe from harm.
Call Someone
Call someone to be with you. Call a friend, a family member, or someone else you can trust to be with you. You can call Martin Methodist Campus Security at 931-309-7502. You may also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (https://www.rainn.org/) at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or the National Domestic Violence Hotline (https://www.thehotline.org/help/) at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Preserve Physical Evidence
In cases of assault or rape, preserve physical evidence when possible. Do not shower, bathe, douche, or otherwise clean yourself. If possible, do not urinate. Do not eat, drink liquids, smoke, or brush your teeth if oral contact took place. If you must change your clothes, save all clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. If you have changed your clothes, place the clothing in a paper bag (plastic may destroy important evidence). Do not disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred.
Get Medical Attention
Physical safety and medical attention are of primary importance. You could be physically injured, become pregnant, or have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. Medical attention is available at Southern Tennessee Regional Health System in Pulaski (1265 East College Street, Pulaski, TN 38478 – 931-363-7531). If done promptly, a medical examination can obtain important evidence should you decide to prosecute.
Write down as much as you can remember about the assailant and the assault.
Seek Emotional Support
Whether or not you report the assault or prosecute, a trained counselor can help you with the emotional trauma of an assault. Confidential emergency and follow-up counseling are available through Martin Methodist Counseling Services (931-424-7338), the Martin Methodist Chaplain (931-363-9825), and through national hotlines: National Sexual Assault Hotline [1-800-656-HOPE (4673)], or the National Domestic Violence Hotline [1-800-799-SAFE (7233)].
Online Title IX Training
Institutional Trainings
Title IX Personnel Trainings
As per the U.S. Department of Education Title IX Final Rule (2020) and the Martin Methodist College Title IX Policy (Sections III.P.1.h; VII.G; IX.A.3.b), all personnel involved in Title IX procedures at Martin Methodist College have been properly trained. Following is a combination of actual materials and lists of proprietary training materials. Proprietary training materials which the College does not have the right to publish will be indicated with P and are detailed below.
Trainings
- Martin Methodist Title IX Decision Maker Training
Offered August 19, 2020 - Martin Methodist Title IX Council Training (4 parts)
Offered July 28, 2020; July 30, 2020; August 4, 2020; August 6, 2020 - Martin Methodist Title IX Advisor Training (3 parts)
Offered August 24, 2020; August 25, 2020; August 26, 2020; August 27, 2020 - Martin Methodist Title IX Policy Training
Offered September 9, 2020; October 6, 2020; November 6, 2020;
December 8, 2020; December 9, 2020 - Institutional Compliance Solutions (ICS) Certified Investigator Training
- Institutional Compliance Solutions (ICS) Certified Adjudicator/Decision Maker Training, Level 1
- Institutional Compliance Solutions (ICS) Certified Adjudicator/Decision Maker Training, Level 2
- Institutional Compliance Solutions (ICS) 2020 Review
Positions Trained
Title IX Coordinator
Sarah Catherine Richardson
- ICS 2020 Review
- Completed January 28, 2021
- ICS Certified Investigator Training
- Completed June 24, 2020
- ICS Certified Adjudicator/Decision Maker Training, L 1 & 2
- Completed June 18, 2020
- NACCOP Webinar Series, select sessionsP
- Completed April 16, 2020
- NACUA Title IX Coordinator TrainingP
- Completed October 31, 2019
Decision Makers
Judy Cheatham
- ICS Certified Adjudicator/Decision Maker Training, L1
Completed June 12, 2020 - Martin Methodist Title IX Decision Maker Training
Completed August 19, 2020
Jamie Hlubb
- ICS Certified Adjudicator/Decision Maker Training, L1
Completed June 12, 2020 - Martin Methodist Title IX Decision Maker Training
Completed August 19, 2020
Mark La Branche
- ICS Certified Adjudicator/Decision Maker Training, L1
Completed August 26, 2020 - Martin Methodist Title IX Decision Maker Training
Completed August 19, 2020
Daniel McMasters
- ICS Certified Adjudicator/Decision Maker Training, L1
Completed June 12, 2020 - NACUA Title IX Coordinator TrainingP
Completed October 31, 2019 - Martin Methodist Title IX Decision Maker Training
Completed August 19, 2020
Investigator
Josie Brown
- ICS Certified Investigator Training
Completed June 24, 2020 - NACCOP Clery & CSA Instructors CourseP
Completed March 9, 2020 - TN Public Safety Network Critical Incident Training in Sex Crimes
Completed May 10, 2018 - Southern Police Institute Sex Crimes Investigation Training1
Completed May 19, 2017 - TN Criminal Investigator Training1
Completed August 5, 2016 - TN Law Enforcement Training Academy1
Completed August 2014
Title IX Council
All members of the Title IX Council participated in Martin Methodist Title IX Council Training, facilitated by Sarah Catherine Richardson.
- Brandon Bass Completed 8/6/2020
- Claire Paul Completed 8/6/2020
- Robby Shelton Completed 8/6/2020
- Julie Shelton Completed 8/6/2020
- Abby Stanton Completed 8/6/2020
- Allen Stanton Completed 8/6/2020
Advisors
Training is not required for a person to serve as an advisor for a Title IX investigation at the College. However, the College has trained faculty, staff, and student volunteers on Title IX policies and procedures should a respondent or complainant wish to choose a College-trained advisor. Advisors participated in Martin Methodist Title IX Advisor Training, facilitated by Sarah Catherine Richardson.
- Lydia Ball Completed 11/12/2020
- Sharon Hill Completed 8/27/2020
- Skylar Lovvo-Phillips Completed 8/27/2020
- Edna Luna Completed 8/27/2020
- Laura Morefield Completed 8/27/2020
- Melissa Ryckman Completed 8/27/2020
- Dan Scherr Completed 8/27/2020
- Brittany Trevarthen Completed 8/27/2020
- Sydney Westry Completed 8/27/2020
Responsible Employees
Responsible Employees are mandatory reporters, and have completed a two-part training:
- Part I: SafeColleges Title IX and Sexual Harassment Prevention for Employees Full Course P
- Part II: Martin Methodist College Title IX Policy Training, facilitated by Sarah Catherine Richardson
- Individual completion dates are available upon request.
- Faculty Members also received Title IX Changes Training, facilitated by Sarah Catherine Richardson, August 27, 2020
Proprietary Training Materials
The following training materials are propriety, and the College does not have the right to publish. However, materials are available for viewing for inspection only in the Title IX office by request, as licensing agreements allow (i.e. some materials may not be available after a certain licensure date).
- NACUA Title IX Coordinator Training
- Role of the Title IX Coordinator
- Title IX and Clery
- Understanding Sexual Harassment and Violence and Institutional Legal Responsibilities
- Sexual Violence Statistics
- Responding to Sexual Violence
- Episodic Memory Formation
- Overseeing or Conducting Investigations
- Confidentiality
- Whether and When to Begin an Investigation
- Investigatory Skills
- Investigation Reports
- Writing Investigative Reports
- Review of Institutional Polices: Complaint Handling, Student Codes, FERPA, Other Constituencies, Employers and Notice
- Training
- Title IX & Athletics
- Treatment Areas
- Sources of Funding
- Equipment and Supplies
- Scheduling of Games & Practice Times
- Travel & Per Diem
- Coaching
- Academic Services
- Facilities
- Medical & Training Services
- Housing & Dining Services
- Publicity & Marketing
- Support Services
- Recruiting
- Equal Pay
- Equal Discipline
- Course Seminars (Case Studies)
- NACCOP Webinar Series
- Campus Security Authorities: Address key concepts and provide attendees overview information regarding Campus Security Authorities. Assist in understanding how to identify your CSAs, as well as managing and training them.
- Clery Geography: Review Clery Geography definitions and illuminate key concepts and challenges institutions face with accurately identifying addressing geographic requirements.
- Classifying and Counting Crimes: Provide overview content related to collecting, classifying and counting Clery reportable crimes. Highlight important nuances around the definitions and counting rules
- Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications: Highlight requirements and distinctions of Timely Warning Notices and Immediate Notifications. Address best practices and procedural development
- Violence Against Women: Provide an overview of the disclosure and implementation requirements mandated by the Violence Against Women Act, specifically of the educational programs that must be provided to students and employees; the procedures a victim should follow; and the procedures the institution will follow when a VAWA crime is reported, including disciplinary procedures
[1] Trainings were part of Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy or were exclusively for Tennessee law enforcement officers. Materials are unavailable for review through the Office of Title IX.