Students who want to understand Title IX — a law that protects against gender-based discrimination — can come to an informational workshop, said Deputy Title IX Coordinator Kendra Fringer.

The Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendment states:

“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 education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The site also said examples of discrimination Title IX covers are sexual harassment, the failure to provide equal opportunity in athletics, and discrimination based on pregnancy.

Fringer said students will learn about campus safety as Regina Switzer, Equal Opportunity Director and Title IX Coordinator Coordinator speaks on the topic at noon Monday, Sept. 14 in room CU3.

“The government has a set of rules and policies that all college institutions have to follow regarding the safety and security of individuals on campus,” Fringer said.

Fringer said students will learn more about the types of protection Title IX covers and where they can go to report discrimination or misconduct.

“It’s another opportunity for us to help educate the student population on issues surrounding Title IX, Clery, VAWA — which is the Violence Against Women Act — and what it is we can do to protect ourselves as individuals, and then what we can do to stand up and help our fellow OCCC faculty, staff and students,” Fringer said.

For more information about Title IX and how to report sexual misconduct, visit http://www.occc.edu/hr/sexual-misconduct.html. For more information about the workshop, contact Student Life at 405-682-7523.

Students who have questions about Title IX or would like to report sexual misconduct or gender-based discrimination can contact Switzer at 405-682-7540 or by email at regina.a.switzer@occc.edu.