Title IX
West Liberty University is committed to a safe, respectful, and inclusive campus. Learn about Title IX, your rights and protections, and the resources available to support our community.
Reporting &
Support Options
You’re not alone. The Title IX Office is here to provide guidance, support, and information about reporting and resolution options.
- A friend or family member
- The WLU Counseling Center: 304.336.8215 (Confidential Reporter)
- The WLU Student Health Center: 304.336.8049 (Confidential Reporter)
- Campus Police: 304.336.8018
- Sexual Assault Help Center 24 hour hotline: 1.800.884.7242
- Seek immediate medical attention to check any injuries and to discuss concerns about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
- Do not shower or bathe.
- To have evidence collected for possible prosecution if the assault occurred within the last 72 hours.
- If possible, to not shower, bathe, or douche/urinate prior to going to the emergency room for evidence collection. If you have washed or douched, let the doctor know.
- If possible, to not change your clothes.
- If you do need to change, place all clothing and shoes in a paper, not plastic, bag.
- Your clothing, including shoes, worn at the time of the assault will be kept as part of the evidence collection. These will be returned if no charges are pressed or at the conclusion of any legal proceeding.
- Bring a change of clothing or place each piece of evidence clothing in a separate paper bag and bring them to the hospital.
- Try to bring someone with you for support.
- You can request an advocate be with you while you make your complaint.
- Understand if the individual taking the report appears cool or distant, they are required to be a neutral party with a responsibility to gather data.
- It is not uncommon to forget details of the incident, or to remember them later. Share additional details, with your advocate or the investigator of your complaint, as soon as you remember them.
- Know that you are protected against any type of retaliatory behavior that is connected to your complaint. Any action of retaliation is a further violation of policy and is subject to sanctions.
The Title IX Coordinator Katie Billings (kate.billings@westliberty.edu or 304.336.8580) is available to assist with any questions or concerns. You can also submit a complaint online here: Online Title IX Complaint Form. Please note that it will take at least one to two business days to review and process any report submitted electronically.
- To know your Title IX rights, which include access to all available resources (i.e. counseling, medical services, legal advocacy/support).
- To be treated with respect by West Liberty University administrators, faculty and staff.
- The right to be fully informed of the nature, rules, and procedures of the campus Title IX process and to timely written notice of all alleged violations within the complaint, including the nature of the violation and possible sanctions.
- To have West Liberty University policies and procedures followed.
- To not have irrelevant prior sexual history admitted as evidence in a campus investigation.
- To request an advocate for support and assistance during the campus investigation process.
- To petition that any member of the investigation team be removed on the basis of bias.
- To written notice of the outcome and sanction.
- To appeal the outcome and/or sanction at the conclusion of the investigation, in accordance with the standards for appeal established by West Liberty University.
- To be protected against retaliatory harassment.
- Talk to someone you can trust: a friend, family member, counselor, or member of the clergy.
- Do not contact the alleged victim through any means – in person, by phone, by mail, by social media, via electronic communication, or through someone else.
- Familiarize yourself with West Liberty University’s sexual assault policy and process for investigating complaints of sexual harassment so that you know what to expect.
- Be aware that retaliation against a complaint, or any behavior that could be interpreted as such, will not only make the situation worse but is also unlawful and could result in additional complaints of misconduct and possible sanctions.
- Title IX Coordinator, Kate Billings, 304.336.8580, or e-mail kate.billings@westliberty.edu
- West Liberty University Counseling Service, Lisa Witzberger, at 304.336.8215 or lwitzberger@westliberty.edu
Policies
Federal regulations clarify how schools must respond to sexual harassment under Title IX. WLU follows these guidelines to ensure fair, consistent processes and compliance with federal law.
Reporting &
Confidentiality
Understand which campus offices offer confidential support and which employees are required to report.
Any individual who has experienced an incidence of gender-based misconduct should be aware, when consulting campus resources, of the confidentiality and privacy policies of different offices. When making a choice to report, it is important to know who is an employee of a mandatory reporting office.
These offices can offer you confidentiality, sharing options and advice without any obligation to tell anyone unless you make a decision to pursue the matter further. Other administrative resources are required to take action when you report your violation to them. An individual may seek assistance from the administrators listed above without starting a formal process that is beyond their control, or that violates their privacy. However, it is important for all parties involved to be aware of reporting responsibilities.
Confidential Disclosure
You can seek advice from certain resources whose staff and volunteers are not required to tell anyone else your private, personally identifiable information, unless there is cause to fear for your safety or the safety of others. These resources include those without supervisory responsibility or remedial authority to address gender-based misconduct. If an individual wants to ensure that details of an incident be kept confidential, they can speak with Off-Campus Support
On campus, the following personnel offer confidentiality:
Dr. Vic Wood
Medical Director
Christy Bennington, RN BSN
Director of Student Health Services
Dawn Gainer, RN BSN
Staff Nurse
Shaw Hall, Lower Level
208 University Drive
College Union Box 127
West Liberty, WV 26074
(304)336-8049
(304) 336-8315 Fax
Student Union
PH#: 304.336.8215
We encourage you to speak to College officials—the Title IX coordinator, Campus Police, Human Resources—in order to make formal reports of incidents. You have the right to have incidents of gender-based misconduct taken seriously by the institution when formally reported, and to have those incidents investigated and properly resolved through administrative procedures. Formal reporting means that only people who need to know will be told, and information will be shared only as necessary with investigators, witnesses, and the accused individual.
Who to contact in order to make a formal report:
Rights
of the Parties
Both parties involved in a Title IX process are entitled to equitable treatment, due process, and access to information and support throughout the resolution process.
Complainant – means an individual who is eligible to file a Complaint to report a violation of the Title IX policy.
Generally, Title IX complainants are empowered to make decisions regarding the remedies that they would like to pursue when they experience sexual harassment. We’re here to help you understand the process, your options, and supportive measures.
- Here’s what you can expect…
- Your wishes and autonomy will be respected.
- You’ll have your identity kept as private and confidential as required, except when necessary to ensure the safety of any person or as necessary to carry out a Title IX proceeding.
- You’ll be given a clear choice about whether to file a formal complaint.
- You’ll be provided with a fair and impartial grievance process, if you choose it.
- You’ll be protected from being coerced or threatened into participating in a grievance process.
- You won’t be required to come face-to-face with the respondent during a hearing, we will provide alternative options.
- You’ll have the right to an advisor of your choosing who may or may not be an attorney. If you do not have an advisor, one will be appointed to assist you in the live hearing.
- You will have the right to present your own evidence and witnesses.
- You will have the opportunity to review and respond to all available evidence in advance of the hearing.
- You’ll have all relevant evidence objectively evaluated.
- You’ll be treated equitably and provided with remedies any time a respondent is found responsible.
- You’ll be told what the stated standard of evidence being used is.
- You’ll receive a written decision and rationale from the institution once the grievance process is completed.
- You’ll have an equal right to appeal and will receive information about our appeal procedures.
Respondent -Individual Who Has Been Reported to Allegedly be the Perpetrator of Conduct That Could Constitute Sexual Harassment
Title IX respondents are treated equitably with a presumption of innocence. We’re here to help
Here’s what you can expect…
- You’ll be treated fairly.
- You’ll have your identity kept confidential as required by law, except when necessary to ensure the safety of any person or as necessary to carry out a Title IX proceeding.
- You’ll receive written notice of allegations upon receipt of a formal complaint.
- You’ll be contacted by the Title IX Coordinator and offered supportive measures to restore or preserve equal access to education and protect your safety.
- You’ll be treated equitably and not have any disciplinary sanctions imposed without the campus grievance process being followed. Any interim supportive measures are separate from this process.
- You’ll be provided with a fair and impartial grievance process administered by trained and impartial school officials.
- You’ll be protected from being coerced or threatened into participating in a grievance process. You won’t be required to come face-to-face with the complainant during a hearing.
- You’ll have the right to be accompanied by an advisor of your choosing, who may or may not be an attorney. If you do not have an advisor, one will be appointed to assist you in the live hearing.
- You will have the right to present your own evidence and witnesses.
- You will have the opportunity to review and respond to all available evidence in advance of the hearing.
- You’ll have all relevant evidence objectively evaluated.
- You’ll be told what the stated standard of evidence being used is.
- You’ll receive a written decision and rationale from the institution once the grievance process is completed.
- You’ll have an equal right to appeal and will receive information about our appeal procedures.
Myths About
Title IX
Common misconceptions about Title IX can create confusion. This section clarifies the facts and explains how Title IX actually works.
This is perhaps the most widely held misconception about Title IX. Athletics are not the only component of academic life governed by Title IX. Other areas which fall within the scope of Title IX include:
- Recruitment, Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Course Offerings and Access
- Counseling
- Hiring and Retention of Employees
- Benefits and Leave
- Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment, which includes sexual assault and sexual violence.
Title IX is designed to create parity in athletics, as well as other educational opportunities and experiences for men and women. Title IX does not require schools to cut men’s athletic programs. Each school determines how it will comply with Title IX regulations.
While Title IX has been used mostly by women seeking to protect their rights, Title IX also serves to protect the rights of men. Title IX requires that males and females receive fair and equitable treatment in all areas of education.
Title IX specifically allows for, or has been interpreted to allow for, single-sex programs in a number of categories. Included among those are: religious schools, traditional men’s/women’s colleges, social fraternities/sororities, youth service organizations such as The Boy/Girl Scouts of America, and beauty pageants.
The under-representation of women in science, medicine, and engineering may violate Title IX. Educational institutions are required to provide women in these disciplines resources, support, and promotional opportunities comparable to their male colleagues.
The U.S. Supreme Court has broadened the interpretation of Title IX to protect from retaliation whistle-blowers who accuse educational institutions of sex discrimination. The court is of the opinion that reporting incidents of discrimination is integral to Title IX enforcement and would be discouraged if retaliation against those who report it goes unpunished.
Pregnancy &
Title IX
West Liberty University is committed to creating a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for pregnant and parenting students.
Dr. Richard Whitehead
Work Phone: 304-336-8486
Work Email: richard.whitehead@westliberty.edu
Kate Billings
Work Phone: 304-336-8580
Work Email: kate.billings@westliberty.edu
Accommodation requests should be directed to ether the ADA Coordinator or Title IX Coordinator. ADA Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator will discuss the pregnant or parenting individual’s needs and may ask for documentation that supports the requested accommodations.
A student who has a chronic medical condition as a result of a pregnancy may also request accommodations.
Specific accommodations will vary from student to student. Examples of accommodations may include:
- a larger desk
- breaks during class, as needed
- permitting temporary access to elevators
- rescheduling tests or exams
- excusing absences due to pregnancy or related conditions
- submitting work after a deadline missed due to pregnancy or childbirth
- providing alternatives to make up missed work
A student will be offered acceptable alternative arrangements to make up missed work. In order to receive these arrangements, students must work with the ADA Coordinator prior to set up documentation.
Students are not required to inform faculty, staff or any member of the administration of their pregnancy or parenting status, unless they are seeking accommodations. The university wishes to create an environment that encourages voluntary sharing of this information, so that the university can provide support for the physical and mental health of the student.
Title IX
Training
Title IX training ensures faculty, staff, and students understand their rights, responsibilities, and reporting obligations.
These trainings are offered via secure online EverFi modules. Please check your University email for invitations to the trainings. Your modules will open in a new browser.
You may also directly contact the WLU Title IX office to be advised on your specific requirements by emailing kate.billings@westliberty.edu
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights requires all institutions receiving federal funds to make publicly available all materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, and decision-makers. In meeting this requirement, West Liberty University has provided materials or links to materials starting from the implementation of the new Title IX regulations on August 14, 2020.
Yearly training is provided to University Coordinator and Investigators. This is done through SUNY online training system and live training with ATIXA every fall. For Academic Year 2021-2022, ATIXA training was provided on November 19-20th.
Title IX is a comprehensive U.S. federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. The principal objective of Title IX is to avoid the use of federal money to support sex discrimination in education programs and to provide individual citizens effective protection against those practices. Title IX law prohibits sexual harassment as well as sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, and sexual coercion; applies to all people regardless of gender; applies regardless of whether or not a criminal report is filed.
Resources &
Support
Access campus and community resources designed to provide support, guidance, and assistance.
Lisa Witzberger
lwitzberger@westliberty.edu
University Student Union – S14
304.336.8215
Christy Bennington
cbennington@westliberty.edu
Shaw Hall 019
304-336-8049
Shaw Hall 015
police@westliberty.edu
304.336.8021
P.O. Box 6764
Wheeling, WV, 26003
24 Hour Hotline:
304-234-8519
24 Hour Hotline:
1-800-884-7242
Phone: 304-234-1783
Fax: 304-234-8231
Email: uovsahc@yahoo.com
Jefferson County Chapter
Wintersville, OH
Hotline: 740-512-6092
Phone: 740-512-6092
St. Clairsville, OH
Hotline: 800-695-1639
Hotline: 740-695-5441
Phone: 740-695-5441
Washington, PA
Hotline: 888-480-7283
Hotline: 724-225-3584
Become A
Hilltopper
West Liberty University is a place where you can pursue your dreams and prepare for the future. With more than 60 programs, a vibrant campus life, small classes, and an affordable cost, the quality education you’ll get at West Liberty is like no other.