Summary of the Administrative Regulation C-14
Procedures for Prohibited Discrimination, Unlawful Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Complaints
Los Angeles Community College District - 770 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90017 - (213) 891-2317
The Policy
It is the policy of the Los Angeles Community College District to provide an educational, employment and business environment free from Prohibited Discrimination. Employees, students or other persons acting on behalf of the District who engage in Prohibited Discrimination as defined in this policy or by state or federal law shall be subject to discipline, up to and including discharge, expulsion, or termination of contract.
Academic Freedom
The Board of Trustees reaffirms its commitment to academic freedom, but recognizes that academic freedom does not allow Prohibited Discrimination. The discussion of ideas, taboos, behavior or language which is an intrinsic part of the course content shall in no event constitute Prohibited Discrimination, though such ideas may cause some students discomfort. It is recognized that academic freedom insures the faculty’s right to teach and the student’s right to learn.
Definition of Prohibited Discrimination
Prohibited Discrimination is defined as discrimination or harassment in violation of state or federal law on the basis of actual or perceived ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex (including gender-based sexual harassment), pregnancy, marital status, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.
Definition of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature, made by someone from or in the workplace or in the educational setting.
Retaliation
Retaliation means adverse personal, employment or academic decisions made against anyone who makes a complaint, refers a matter for investigation, participates in an investigation, represents or serves as an advocate for a complainant or alleged offender.
False Allegations
Anyone who files a complaint in which he/she knowingly makes false allegations of fact shall also have violated this policy and shall be subject to disciplinary action.
Confidentiality
All persons involved in investigation of complaints shall have a duty to maintain the confidentiality of the matters discussed, except as may be required or permitted by law, which include the rules and regulations of the District.
A complete record of each complaint and investigation shall be kept by the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The Written Decision or any Settlement Agreement regarding the results of the investigation shall be placed in the personnel file of each employee involved as an alleged offender or complainant.
Complaint Procedure
General Provisions
All supervisors shall be responsible for maintaining a work environment consistent with this policy. Any supervisor who becomes aware of a situation which could be reasonably perceived to be a violation of this policy must report it to the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. All employees are responsible for maintaining an educational environment consistent with this policy. Any employee who becomes aware of a situation which could reasonably be perceived as a violation of this policy should refer it to the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Investigation
A Compliance Officer shall promptly investigate all potential violations of this policy of which he or she becomes aware. A Compliance Officer shall receive the complaint, and notify the complainant, alleged offender, the College President or District administrator, and the Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, within 5 business days of a potential violation of this policy. During the process of the investigation, the alleged offender has the right to be represented.
Informal Procedure
A Compliance Officer shall undertake efforts to informally resolve and investigate the charges. This process is limited to 30 days. If a resolution is reached, a Compliance Officer shall draft a Settlement Agreement to be signed by the complainant and the alleged offender. A Compliance Officer shall monitor the situation to insure that the resolution is properly implemented and maintain records.
Complaint Procedure
A written or verbal complaint shall be submitted to the LACCD Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Complaint shall be filed no later than one year from the date when the complainant knew or reasonably should have known of the facts underlying the Complaint.
Compliance Officer’s Report
Within 60 days after becoming aware of a potential violation of this policy, a Compliance Officer shall complete the investigation and make a written report to the College President or Deputy Chancellor.
The College President, or Deputy Chancellor, shall independently assess whether the “preponderance of the evidence” establishes a violation and shall determine what action is to be taken, if any. Prior to making the decision, the alleged offender and complainant shall have the opportunity to make an oral statement, within 15 days from the receipt of the Compliance Officer’s report.
Within 90 days from the start of the investigation, a Written Decision shall be mailed to the complainant and the alleged offender.
Disciplinary Action
If appropriate, the College President, Deputy Chancellor, or the Chancellor shall initiate the applicable disciplinary process within 10 business days of receiving the Written Decision.
Disciplinary action shall include, without limitation, verbal warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, letters of reprimand, Notices of Unsatisfactory Service, suspension, demotion or dismissal
Appeals
If the complainant is not satisfied with the Written Decision, he/she may appeal to the District’s Board of Trustees by submitting a written appeal to the Chancellor’s Office within 15 days.
The Chancellor shall present the written appeal, the Written Decision, and the investigative report to the Board of Trustees in closed session. If 45 days elapse without further action, the Written Decision shall be the final decision of the District. In non-employment cases, the complainant has the right to file and appeal with the State Chancellor’s Office, within 30 days after the Board decision is issued, or 45 days have elapsed, whichever comes first.
Additional Remedies
The complainant may pursue independently civil law remedies, including but not limited to injunctions, restraining orders, or other orders. An individual who believes that he/she is the victim of Prohibited Discrimination may also file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment & Housing at (800) 884-1684, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at (213) 894-1000, for employment based complaints; and the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights at (415) 556-4275, for non-employment complaints whether or not the complainant chooses to utilize the District’s internal procedure. Complaints may also be filed with the State Chancellor’s Office.
Copies of the policy and procedures may be obtained from the LACCD Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and District website at www.laccd.edu or by calling the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at (213) 891-2315 or (213) 891-2317.
Complaint Procedures and Complaint Form
General Provisions
It is the policy of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) to provide an educational, employment and business environment free from prohibited discrimination. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex and gender, ethnic group identification, age, religion, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or on the basis of an individuals’ association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics is unlawful.
Employees, students or other persons acting on behalf of LACCD who engage in prohibited discrimination as defined by LACCD Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment Policy, or by state or federal law shall be subject to discipline, up to and including discharge, expulsion or termination of contract.
All Supervisors shall be responsible for maintaining a work environment consistent with LACCD Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment Policy. Any Supervisor who becomes aware of a situation which could be reasonable perceived to be a violation of policy must report it to the Office of Diversity Programs. All employees are responsible for maintaining an educational environment consistent with policy. Any employee who becomes aware of a situation which could reasonably be perceived as a violation of policy should refer it to the Office of Diversity Programs.; Any member of the college community which includes students, faculty, staff, other LACCD employees, general public who believes, perceives or has actually experienced conduct related to LACCD that may constitute prohibited discrimination or harassment has the right to seek help.