Title IX & Sexual Misconduct
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
For DVAM 2024, the Domestic Violence Awareness Project is proud to build on the theme Heal, Hold & Center, first launched in 2023. This DVAM and beyond, we must work together, embrace the many cultural ways we can heal from violence and oppression, commit to holding space for survivors, and center those most marginalized in all of our efforts to end domestic violence.
Domestic violence thrives in silence. To be able to support and help victims and survivors, and to prevent domestic violence in the future for our patients/families and our colleagues, we need to talk about it. On October 10, 2024, MCW/Froedtert/Children’s Wisconsin hosted a presentation and discussion led by Liz Marquardt, from Sojourner. View the presentation to learn about domestic violence and how you can become an advocate for your patients, families & colleagues to help someone in need.
MCW's Commitment
MCW is committed to providing a work and learning environment that is free from unlawful discrimination based upon sex, sex-based harassment and retaliation. MCW values and upholds the dignity of all members of the MCW community and strives to balance the rights of individuals in the resolution processes within its Title IX program.
MCW is also committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and learners, as well as ensuring equal educational and employment opportunities and access to services, programs and activities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.
MCW encourages the reporting of prohibited conduct and crimes by any member of the MCW community with knowledge or information concerning a Prohibited Offense in the context of any MCW Educational Activity.
All individuals who believe they have been subjected to or who are accused of Sexual Harassment and other related misconduct are encouraged to and have a right to seek support, utilize available resources, file a formal complaint, and be presumed innocent until a formal grievance process has concluded. MCW is committed to ensuring integrity in its Title IX program and grievance procedure.
In accordance with Title IX, and consistent with MCW’s commitment to ensure a safe learning and working environment, all reports of Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Retaliation are taken seriously. MCW is committed to investigating and adjudicating reports of Sexual Harassment in a timely manner that is fair and equitable to all parties involved.
MCW’s Title IX Steering Committee meets regularly to provide guidance related to MCW policy, resources, education, prevention and ongoing communication to promote awareness. The committee is comprised of school leadership, faculty, staff and students. New members are welcome. Please email TitleIXCoordinator@mcw.edu for more information.Reporting a Complaint under Title IX
Anyone may make a report of a Title IX violation to any mandatory reporter, the Office of Equal Access, or the Title IX Coordinator. All employees, other than those designated as confidential employees, are mandatory reporters. Examples of confidential employees are MCW Ombuds, school counselor, behavioral health care providers, and health care providers who learn information during the provision of care. MCW will provide supportive resources and follow the official procedure listed in MCW's Title IX policies Prohibiting Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment (AD.CC.080) and Accommodation of Pregnancy, Parenting and Related Conditions (AD.CC.090).
Reports can be made to the Title IX Coordinator or to the Office of Equal Access verbally in person or, via telephone, and/or in writing using email or mail at any time, including during non-business hours to:
Katie Kassulke, (414) 955-8668, email TitleIXCoordinator@mcw.edu, or via the USPS mail:
Medical College of Wisconsin
Katie Kassulke
MCW Title IX Coordinator
8701 Watertown Plank Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Office of Equal Access, (414) 955-4858, email EEOaccess@mcw.edu, or via the online notice form to the Office of Equal Access.
Reports can also be made via the other following resources:
- File online via the MCW EthicsPoint Hotline (Can be filed anonymously, however, anonymous reports may limit the ability for MCW to respond effectively)
- Local law enforcement
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights: (800) 421-3481
Training Completed by the MCW Title IX Coordinator
ATIXA
2023 Higher Education Resolution Agreements (PDF) | December 2023
Grand River Solutions (request materials from TitleIXCoordinator@mcw.edu)
Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Students | February 2023
Intentionally Inclusive Processes for Title IX | January 2023
Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU)
Advanced Title IX Investigator Training, Day 1 (PDF) | April 27, 2022
Advanced Title IX Investigator Training, Day 2 (PDF) | April 28, 2022
Decision-Makers: A Deep Dive into Serving in this Critical Role, Day 1 (PDF) | September 2021
Decision-Makers: A Deep Dive into Serving in this Critical Role, Day 2 (PDF) | September 2021
Husch Blackwell
Title IX Training for Title IX Team Members (PDF) | June 2024
Title IX & Sexual Harassment Response - Participants in Sexual Harassment policy process (PDF) | Fall 2020
Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
Title IX: An Introduction to the New Regulations (PDF)
Promoting Diversity at MCW
Realizing our vision of a healthy and thriving community, MCW has made a commitment to inclusion to ensure that MCW’s diversity is a source of strength in achieving excellence in our missions and fostering the health of the local and global communities we serve. MCW has developed a variety of resources to help us integrate our differences and thrive through the energy and innovation that we co-create.
LGBTQ Resources
MCW values the dignity of all members of the MCW community and we have affinity groups, resources, and tools below to encourage engagement and connections for everyone.
Please contact Katie Kassulke, MCW’s Title IX Coordinator, for assistance with updating pronouns, name changes, transition planning, and support via email: TitleIXCoordinator@mcw.edu.
- MCW Pronouns Card (PDF)
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Medicine student run organization | mcwlgbtpm@gmal.com
- The MCW LGBTQ+ Mission Engagement Group can be contacted via email at LGBTQMEG@mcw.edu
Gender neutral facilities
MCW has a number of gender-neutral facilities available and have provided the current list below.
- Restrooms:
- BSB B2005 (elevator lobby)
- BSB B4005
- MEB M2098 (inside Learning & Skills interior hallway and includes lockers)
- MEB 2868 (inside STAR Center entry area)
- MEB M3195
- Hub A0515 (includes shower)
- Hub A1551
- Hub A2551
- Hub A3551
- Hub A4551
- Hub A5551
- Hub A6551
- Hub A7551
- Hub A8551
- Locker rooms:
- Single User Restroom within M2490 = M2496
- Single User Restroom within M2120 = M2184
Pregnancy and Parenting
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex – including pregnancy and parental status – in educational programs and activities. Pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions, including but not limited to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, medical conditions related thereto, or recovery therefrom, are also protected by the PUMP Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and all other applicable laws. As such, MCW must treat pregnancy or related conditions in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary medical condition.
MCW has an obligation to take actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to programs and activities. The Title IX Coordinator (or designee) must coordinate specific actions such as providing reasonable modifications based on the specific individual needs of the student/employee based on pregnancy or pregnancy- related conditions to prevent sex discrimination, harassment and retaliation and ensure the student’s/employee’s equal access to MCW’s program and activities once the student/employee, or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of the student/employee, provides notice to the Title IX Coordinator of the student’s/employee’s pregnancy or related condition(s).
Please review the following resources for additional resources and information:
Bystander Intervention
Bystander Intervention is a prevention strategy that encourages witnesses to take safe action when they see a situation that might lead to sex discrimination and/or sex-based harassment. Bystanders can intervene to impact a situation in a positive way. At MCW, we expect our community members to safely intervene in situations where risky or harmful situations may be occurring such as bullying, harassment, relationship violence, stalking, sexual violence or any other form of violence.
How can you safely intervene?
Here are some helpful strategies you can use to safely intervene depending on the situation. Every person has their own comfort level and style. There is no one correct way to intervene. It takes courage to intervene and being an active bystander can send powerful messages about what is acceptable behavior at MCW. When possible, be an active bystander using the 5 D’s if it is safe to do so.
Direct: Speak up when you see hurtful behavior. Say: “What did you mean by that?”
Delegate: Get help! Bring a friend, call MCW Public Safety or 911.
Distract: Change the topic by asking a question. Say: “Do you want to go get something to eat?”
Document: Write down what is said.
Debrief: Afterwards check in with the victim. Say: “Are you OK?”
For more information about bystander intervention and steps on how you can support someone in need, learn more at RAINN. To speak with someone who is trained to help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-HOPE (4673) or chat online.Reporting Requirements to External Agencies
MCW will report findings of sexual misconduct to external agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), as required for researchers, as well as, through the credentialing process for clinical providers. MCW may also report findings of sexual misconduct to other institutions of higher education and in response to requests for reference information. By accepting employment with MCW, employees agree to be a part of our culture of professionalism and acknowledge that findings may be reported.