Title IX & Sexual Offenses

Sexual assault can happen to you regardless of your gender, race, age, class, or sexual orientation. No one is entitled to another person’s body, even if the person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Types of sexual assault include:

• Report an Offense

File a complaint based on sexual misconduct at the link above. Reports may be made by:

• An individual who has experienced sexual misconduct;
• Anyone who receives a report from someone who experienced sexual misconduct; and/or
• Anyone who witnesses or otherwise has information that sexual misconduct may have occurred.

Reports can be submitted anonymously by completing a Student Concern, Complaint, or Grievance form.

We recognize that deciding to report sexual misconduct and choosing how to proceed are difficult decisions. We understand that your feelings about whether to report an incident and how to proceed may change over time. We support all survivors of sexual misconduct during this decision-making process. You may be uncertain at first about how to proceed. You may wish to speak with a confidential resource by contacting the College Social Worker before deciding how to proceed. Although you can report sexual misconduct at any time, we encourage individuals to immediately report incidents of sexual misconduct. When making a report, you need not know what particular course of action to pursue or how to label what happened.

If you would like someone to support you during the complaint process or to explain this process, please contact the Student Title IX Coordinator or the College Social Worker.

Process Advisors

The College Social Worker can help students through the process of reporting a sexual offense.

• Brittani Senser, College Social Worker

1B.3 Sexual Violence Investigators

• Joel Nelson, Assistant Director of Human Resources
• Hilary Dahlman, Director of Academic Support Programs

Decision Makers

• Joel Nelson, Assistant Director of Human Resources
• Hilary Dahlman, Director of Academic Support Programs
• Debra Newgard, Dean of Enrollment Services
• Joseph Wightkin, Vice President of Finance

To address immediate medical concerns:

• If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency contact 911 (or 9-911 from a campus phone). Be sure to note which campus you are on as it will better direct the emergency personnel.
• The Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline can connect you with the nearest agency in your geographical area and other support services. This service can be reached at 1-866-223-1111.

To address immediate safety concerns:

• Call 911 (or 9-911 from a campus phone). Be sure to note which campus you are on as it will better direct the emergency personnel.
• Call Public Safety at
  • Brooklyn Park Public Safety - Dial 4141 from any college phone
  • Public Safety Desk Phone 763-488-2655
  • Public Safety Supervisor 763-488-2654
  • Eden Prairie Public Safety - Dial 5151 from any college phone
  • Public Safety Desk Phone 952-995-1433
  • Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Education Center Security
  • Public Safety Desk Phone 763-488-2655

If you have experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, there are a number of resources available to you.

• College Social Worker
• The Basic Needs Resources page has various community resources including health care, suicide, and temporary living.
• Resources United Way (Dial 211) and Cornerstone (866-223-1111) are both excellent at crisis support and education. They provide support groups, 24-hour crisis services, safety planning, and legal advocacy (and other services).

To find out about support services and accommodations on campus, contact the Title IX Coordinator. You can learn about interim accommodations such as academic and workplace adjustments and you can learn about the formal resolution process.

When someone you care about has been assaulted, you may feel upset and confused. At a time when you may want to help most; you might be dealing with a crisis of your own. Your support at a time like this can be extremely helpful to a victim of sexual assault. Here are some guidelines to help you through this time.

Believe. Believe her/his experience without question. Do not blame them. Whatever the circumstances s/he was not looking for or asking to be assaulted. It is very common for the victim of a sexual assault to blame themselves. The blame for rape rests squarely and only with the assailant. There is no way of knowing what would have happened if the victim had acted differently.

Respect. Respect her/his fear. Assailants commonly threaten to harm the victim if s/he does not comply. Often victims feared that they would not survive the assault. This fear does not go away when the rapist does. This fear is real. Help her/him deal with it by finding ways to increase their safety.

Accept. There may be strong feelings. S/he has the right to any emotion: to be numb, sad, angry, in denial, terrified, depressed, agitated, withdrawn, etc. Being supportive is an attitude of acceptance of all feelings, an atmosphere of warmth and safety. Tolerate their needs; be there for them.

Listen. Let them know you want to listen. It does not matter so much what you say, but more how you listen. Try to understand what they are going through. They did the very best they knew how in a threatening situation. They survived. Give them credit.

• Let them talk; do not interrupt.
• Find time to focus on the victim. Ask what they need from you.
• You may feel nervous about stalls and silences. It’s okay to be quiet.
• Try repeating back the things they’ve said as a way to continue the talking.
• Reassure them that they are not to blame. Blaming questions such as, "Why didn't you scream?" or "Why did you go there?" are not helpful. Instead, you might say, "It's difficult to scream when you are frightened" or "Going someplace unfamiliar is risky, but you were not asking to be assaulted."

Take it seriously. Pay attention. This will help validate the seriousness of their feelings and her/his need to work them through. Sexual assault can be a shattering experience which a victim does not get over in a hurry or alone. It may be months or longer before s/he feels fully recovered. Recovery is a process of acceptance and healing which takes time.

Stay. Stay with them as long as they want you to. One of the most upsetting losses experienced by rape victims is the loss of independence and solitude. For a while, many victims feel frightened and vulnerable about being alone. This will pass with time. Meanwhile, be good company.

Let the victim make their own decisions. Do not pressure them into making decisions or doing things they are not ready to do. Help them explore all the options. It is essential to respect privacy and confidentiality. Let them decide who knows about the sexual assault.

Care about their well-being. In order to care about your friend, you may need to cope with some difficult emotions of your own. If you are experiencing rage, blame or changes in how you feel about your friend/relative, you can be most helpful by finding ways of coping with your own emotions. Sexual assault is not provoked nor desired by the victim. In fact, sexual assault is motivated by the assailant's need for power and control, and a desire to humiliate and degrade the victim. Advocacy programs in your area have staff/volunteers that can help people sort through their feelings and emotions.

Content modified from OIIR Illinois.

Title IX protects students in all of the academic, educational, extracurricular, and other programs or activities of institutions from gender discrimination. This includes discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. Further, students should not receive harassment, opportunities, or lack of assistance based on their pregnancy.

In compliance with this, Hennepin Technical College is committed to treating students affected by pregnancy and related medical concerns the same as students similarly affected by temporary disabilities. These include but are not limited to:

• Absences must be excused in conjunction with doctor’s permission
• Students must be given a reasonable amount of time to complete missed classwork
• Services for temporarily disabled students must be offered to pregnant students

Hennepin Technical College provides lactation rooms on both campuses for breast feeding. For more information including locations and access, please contact Public Safety. 

You can find additional information about the rights of pregnant students by referencing the Department of Education and the Pregnant and Parenting Rights website. Should you have questions about Title IX, please contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Gender is a protected class under Title IX of the Educational Amendments. This class encompasses discrimination based on a student’s gender identity, including discrimination based on a student’s transgender identity. Hennepin Technical College commits to not exclude, separate, deny benefits to, or otherwise treat individuals differently on the basis of gender or sex.

It is important for Hennepin Technical College to create a safe, comfortable, and inclusive environment. This aspiration drives allowing students to participate consistent with their gender identity. This includes student records (including a preferred name procedure), gender-neutral restrooms, and activities.

Should you experience gender discrimination on campus you can contact the Title IX Coordinator,  about the gender discrimination process.

1B.1 Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education

• Policy 1B.1 Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education
• Procedure 1B.1.1 - Report/Complaint of Discrimination/Harassment Investigation and Resolution
• Procedure 1B.1.2 - Preferred Name

Forms

• Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Form (eForm)
• Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Form (Anonymous)

1B.3 Sexual Violence

• Policy 1B.3 Sexual Violence
• Procedure 1B.3.1 Response to Sexual Violence
• 1B.3 Procedure Flow Chart

Forms

• Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Form (eForm)
• Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Form (Anonymous)

3.6 Student Code of Conduct

• Policy 3.6 Student Code of Conduct
• Procedure 3.6.1 Student Code of Conduct

Forms

• Report a Student of Concern

3.8 Student Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances

• Policy 3.8 Student Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances
• Procedure 3.8.1 Student Concerns, Complaints, and Grievances
• Process

Forms

• Concern/Complaint/Grievance (eForm*)

3HTC.9 Academic Integrity

• Policy 3HTC.9 Academic Integrity
• Procedure 3HTC.9.1 Academic Integrity

Forms

• Academic Integrity Complaint Report Form

Beginning Friday, August 14, 2020, 34 C.F.R. 106.45(b)(10)(i)(D) requires an institution to make materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process publicly available on its website. The following is information complying with this regulation.

Training Opportunities for Students

• Safe and Respectful Campus

Training for Title IX Coordinators

1B.1 Designated Officer Training

• Host: Minnesota State System Office
• Employees:
  • Hilary Dahlman (8/7/2024)

Title IX Coordinators Training: Revised System Procedure 1B.3.1

• Host: Minnesota State System Office
• Employees:
  • Joel Nelson
  • Hilary Dahlman (6/7/2024)

1B.3 Sexual Violence Investigator Training

• Host: Minnesota State System Office
• Employees:
  • Joel Nelson (11/16/2023)
  • Hilary Dahlman (11/3/2022)
  • Sonya Thompson (2/29/2024)
  • Cara Garrett (2/29/2024)
  • Leslie Price (2/29/2024)

1B.1 Non-Discrimination Investigator Training

• Host: Minnesota State System Office
• Employees:
  • Joel Nelson (11/15/2023)
  • Hilary Dahlman (8/7/2024)
  • Sonya Thompson (2/28/2024)
  • Cara Garrett (2/28/2024)

Decision Maker Training for 1B.1 and 1B.3 Policies

• Host: Minnesota State System Office
• Employees:
  • Joel Nelson (11/14/2023)
  • Hilary Dahlman (8/6/2024)
  • Sonya Thompson (2/27/2024)
  • Cara Garrett (2/27/2024)