Title IX Office

Every school must designate at least one employee who is responsible for coordinating the school's compliance with Title IX. The coordinator's responsibilities include overseeing all complaints of sex discrimination and identifying and addressing any patterns or systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints.

WCU’s Title IX Coordinator is located at H.F.R. Suite 520 and can be reached at 828.227.7116.

Title IX defines Sexual Harassment as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

1. Quid pro quo- an employee of the respondent conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the respondent on an individual’s participation in sexual conduct;
2. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity; or
3. “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).

Any person (whether or not alleged to be the victim) may report gender discrimination or sexual harassment. 

Reports can be made to WCU’s Title IX Coordinator at 828.227.7116 or dshopkins@wcu.edu. 

Alternatively, if the conduct involves students, you may make a report by submitting this electronic form.

Upon receiving a report, the Title IX Coordinator will provide the victim with a written explanation of their rights and options, including available supportive measures and an explanation of the University’s complaint resolution procedures. 

University Policy 129 “Title IX Sexual Harassment” and accompanying procedures are designed to provide an independent policy and framework to protect employees, visitors, and students from sexual harassment within any educational program or activity.

In compliance with the 2020 Title IX regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education, all materials used to train the Title IX Coordinator, Campus Investigator, hearing and appellate officers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process will be available below. 

Access Title IX Training Materials