Discrimination and Harassment
Reports can be made to the following:
Whitney Bischoff
Title IX Coordinator
ADA/Section 504 Coordinator
Phone: (605) 718-2965
Office: Library D160A
Email: Whitney.Bischoff@wdt.edu
800 Mickelson Dr.
Rapid City, SD 57703
South Dakota Regional Office:
Kansas City Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Phone: (816)268-0550
TDD: (800) 877-8339
FAX: (816) 268-0599
Email: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut St., Third Floor, Suite 320
Kansas City, MO 64106
Discrimination and Harassment*
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) will not tolerate racism, discrimination, harassment, exploitation or victimization of students, school employees, non-employees or any person who is an invitee of WDTC for any reason, including but not limited to race, color, ethnic background, national origin, pregnancy, marital status, religion, creed, age, sex, citizenship, political affiliation, mental and/or physical challenge, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, status as a veteran, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Policy 2005/4005
Sexual Harassment - Title IX**
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from sexual harassment. To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws, WDTC has developed a policy and related procedures to provide a prompt, fair, and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of sexual harassment. WDTC values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.
Pregnancy and Parenting
Western Dakota Technical College is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all individuals enjoy freedom from discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex, as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX). Sex discrimination, which can include discrimination based on pregnancy, marital status, or parental status, is prohibited and illegal in admissions, educational programs and activities, hiring, leave policies, employment policies, and health insurance coverage. Western Dakota Technical College hereby establishes a policy and associated procedures for ensuring the protection and equal treatment of pregnant individuals, persons with pregnancy-related conditions, and new parents.
Students requesting pregnancy-related accommodations are encouraged to contact the Student Success Center.
Policy 4003
Section 504/ADA
It is the policy of WDTC not to discriminate on the basis of disability. WDTC has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulations implementing the Act. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Any person who believes she or he has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability may file a grievance under this procedure. It is against the law for WDTC to retaliate against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance.
Student Grievance Process
*Notice of Non-Discrimination:
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) will not tolerate racism, discrimination, harassment, exploitation or victimization of students, school employees, non-employees, or any person who is an invitee of WDTC for any reason, including but not limited to race, color, ethnic background, national origin, pregnancy, marital status, religion, creed, age, sex, citizenship, political affiliation, mental and/or physical challenge, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, status as a veteran, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local law. WDTC is committed to providing an environment free from harassment and other forms of discrimination for students, employees, non-employees and its invitees. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries or complaints regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of Student Success who serves as the Title IX Coordinator.
**Title IX at Western Dakota Technical College:
Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that it operates including admissions and employment.
Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can also include sexual harassment which is defined as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
- An employee of the College conditioning the provision of education benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo); or
- Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the institution’s education program or activity; or
- Sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the WDTC Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the WDTC Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number, electronic mail address, or by mail to the office address listed for the WDTC Title IX Coordinator. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and/or laws: Whitney Bischoff, Title IX Coordinator; 800 Mickelson Drive, Office D160A, Rapid City, SD, 57703; 605-718-2965; Whitney.Bischoff@wdt.edu.
WDTC Policies 2001/4001, 2001/4001.Procedure.001, and 2001/4001.Procedure. 002 provide information on WDTC’s grievance procedures and grievance processes, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how WDTC will respond.
Policy - https://www.wdt.edu/assets/docs/uploads/about/policies/4001.pdf
Procedure. 001 https://www.wdt.edu/assets/docs/uploads/about/policies/4001procedure001.pdf
Procedure. 002 https://www.wdt.edu/assets/docs/uploads/about/policies/4001procedure002.pdf
Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be referred to the WDTC Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary, or to both. The Assistant Secretary contact information is U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202, Main Telephone: 202-453-6914.
