Sexual Violence and Harassment

Commitment to Our Campus Community

Muskegon Community College is committed to developing and sustaining a healthy and diverse learning and working environment that recognizes the value of each individual. MCC advances a safe, pleasant and respectful culture for all, free from sexual violence and sexual harassment as well as dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. At MCC such behaviors are forms of sexual discrimination and are not tolerated and are prohibited by College policy and the law.

If you have experienced sexual violence, it’s not your fault. Sexual violence occurs when a person ignores or denies someone else’s wishes through violent sexual means. No one ever asks to be raped or sexually assaulted. Even if you had too much to drink, or used drugs, or froze and did not fight back, or said “yes” to one type of sexual intimacy but not to what happened – you are not to blame for harm being done to you.

The Law

Title IX (1972)
“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 educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. “

Sexual harassment and sexual violence is prohibited in the education context by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; in the employment context by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; and Section 304 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.

At MCC, survivors of sexual misconduct shall have the right to:

- Receive prompt and survivor-sensitive cooperation of campus personnel for recommendations of obtaining, securing and maintaining evidence, including recommendations to receive a medical examination at a local emergency room when necessary to preserve evidence;
- Expect notification from campus personnel of your options to prevent further unwanted contact by alleged assailants, including issuing of “no contact” orders and changing academic and on-campus working schedules, provided such changes are available;
- Receive information describing options to pursue a criminal complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency, to pursue the College’s disciplinary process, or to pursue both processes simultaneously;
- Be notified of existing campus and community-based medical, counseling, mental health, and student services for survivors of sexual assault, whether or not the assault is formally reported to campus or civil authorities;
- Be informed of the right to confidential or anonymous testing for sexually transmitted infections, HIV,
  and pregnancy;
- Be free from any threat of retaliation or other attempt to prevent the reporting of sexual misconduct;
- Be notified of the opportunity to identify witnesses and other evidence to the College investigation and resolution process, information about procedures, and written notice of the outcome in a manner equivalent to the process of the accused;
- Have a support person of choice accompany them throughout the disciplinary process. While a support person is there to support, they may not speak for you or act as your legal counsel;
- Be informed in a timely fashion (60 days) of the outcome of the process concurrently with the accused;
  Have the right to appeal the outcome.

Reporting

Campus Reporting
The College can only respond to allegations of sexual harassment or sexual violence that are reported to campus authorities. Anyone who believes they have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct or related retaliation is encouraged to report such behavior promptly. If in doubt, please report. Reporting to the College does not mean you have to report to local authorities, but you have the option to report to local authorities. MCC can assist with reporting to the proper law enforcement agency.

Click on the button to access an MCC Title IX and Sexual Discrimination Report form.

How to Report
Reports may be made to MCC Title IX Coordinator or Title IX Deputy Coordinators (listed below under Campus Resources) or to Campus Safety.
Student Conduct Report Form: www.muskegoncc.edu/bit or publicdocs.maxient.com/incidentreport.php?MuskegonCC

Anonymous reports for victims of sexual misconduct can be submitted at www.muskegoncc.edu/bit Please note that MCC’s response will be limited without the reporter’s information.

Confidential reporting is available when reporting to MCC counseling staff when you may not want to trigger an investigation.

Other Support Systems and Advocates
There are plenty of trustworthy people at MCC who want to support you and can point you in the right direction. They can be mentors, faculty and/or staff. However, it is important for you to remember they cannot guarantee confidentiality.

Retaliation
MCC prohibits retaliation against individuals who engage in reporting a complaint of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating or domestic violence, and/or stalking. Retaliatory behavior is regarded as additional misconduct and may lead to increased sanctions.

As always, in the case of an emergency call 911 to reach the Police Department.

Resources

Campus Resources

MCC Counseling and Advising Center
Room 1050, 231-777-0362
www.muskegoncc.edu/counseling

Title IX Coordinator

Jason Cooper (he/his)
Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
jason.cooper@muskegoncc.edu
(231) 777-0690, Room 1055

Deputy Title IX Coordinators

Kristine Anderson (she/her)
Chief Human Resources Officer
human.resources@muskegoncc.edu
(231) 777-0447, Room 2109

Marty McDermott (he/his)
Dean of College Services and Athletics
marty.mcdermott@muskegoncc.edu
(231) 777-0462, Health and Wellness Center Room 134A

Tonette Brown-Garner (she/her)
College Service Evening Coordinator
Tonette.brown-garner@muskegoncc.edu
(231) 777-0654, Room 1360C

Dr. Patti D’Avignon (she/her)
Dean of Student Services
patti.davignon@muskegoncc.edu
231-777-0341, Room 1055B

Donielle Routt (she/her)
Benefits & Compensation Manager
Donielle.Routt@muskegoncc.edu
231-777-0698, Room 2109S

Medical Care Close to Campus

Muskegon
Emergency Services at Mercy Health, Mercy Campus
1500 E. Sherman Boulevard (Near US-31)
(231) 672-3916

Grand Haven
Emergency Department at North Ottawa Community Hospital
1309 Sheldon Road
(616) 847-5310

All emergency centers open 24/7. Call 911 for local police or emergency care.

Community Resources

Every Woman’s Place
for Domestic or Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking
24-Hour Crisis Line: (231)722-3333
Walk-In Services: 1221 W. Laketon Avenue
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm
www.everywomansplace.org/crisis

Grand Haven
Center for Women in Transition
(Holland and Grand Haven)
Crisis Line: (616) 392- 1970
(800) 848-5991
Espanol: (866) 728-2131

Grand Haven Satellite Office
Please call ahead for appointment
300 North Ferry Street, Suite C
(616) 392-2829

Newaygo County
Women’s Information Service Inc.
Phone: (231) 796-6692
Crisis: (231) 796-6600
or 1 (800) 374-9473

Kent County
YMCA West Central Michigan
Phone: (616) 459-7092 ext. 515
Fax (616) 459-5423
Crisis (616) 421-2744

Legal Advocacy
Personal Protection Orders and Legal Advocate
Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice
990 Terrace Street, 4th Floor
(231) 724-6422
www.co.muskegon.mi.us/circuitcourt/ppos.htm