Title IX

Title IX

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX 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." (20 USC 1681).

Reed College is committed to maintaining environments that foster a diverse and inclusive community in which all members can participate free from discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, and gender identity. Reed provides resources to students, faculty, and staff to address concerns relating to discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, which includes sexual misconduct.

Reed has two policies governing discrimination on the basis of sex: the Title IX Policy, and the Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy (DHSM). These policies detail and explicitly prohibit specific forms of harassment and encourage the reporting of these prohibited behaviors. Reed College will work to prevent prohibited behaviors, to take steps to reduce the risk of their recurrence, and to correct any discriminatory effects on a complainant or others.

All members of the community have an obligation to inform themselves about Title IX and the Title IX and DHSM policies, in order to recognize and take steps to prevent discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, and to respond effectively if such behavior does occur.

Title IX Coordinator

Christy Martin serves as Reed's Title IX Coordinator and in that role oversees and provides leadership for the activities related to Title IX compliance, training, investigations, enforcement, response, and reporting.

Christy Martin, Title IX  & 504 Coordinator
503-517-7722, title-ix@reed.edu

Booking a meeting with Christy Martin 

(Note: If you do not see a meeting time that suits your needs, please send an email with information about your availability and we'll do our best to find an alternate time that works.)

There are also two Title IX Deputy Coordinators at Reed College:

  • Deputy Coordinator for Faculty: Kathy Oleson, Dean of the Faculty
    503-777-7257, Psychology 125, koleson@reed.edu
  • Deputy Coordinator for Staff: Heather Quinn-Barron, Director of Human Resources
    503-777-7705, Eliot Hall 305, quinnbarron@reed.edu

The Title IX Coordinator and the Deputy Coordinators can answer questions regarding the process for reporting, investigating, and adjudicating complaints of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other potential Title IX violations. The Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators are not confidential resources but can direct community members to on- and off-campus confidential resources, as well as to other resources.

If you are in need of disability-related accommodations or have questions about accessibility at any point in engaging in the Title IX process, please contact the Title IX Coordinator (title-ix@reed.edu).

Title IX Reporting  & Formal Complaint Options

Reed College encourages all members of the community to report possible violations of the Title IX and/or DHSM policies. Where to make a report:

Reports of sexual harassment in violation of the Title IX and/or DHSM policies may be made to the Title IX Coordinator, the Title IX Deputy Coordinators, or Community Safety:

  • Christy Martin, Title IX  & 504 Coordinator
    503-517-7722, title-ix@reed.edu
  • Kathy Oleson - Dean of the Faculty and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Faculty
    koleson@reed.edu
    503-777-7257
    Eliot Hall 326
  • Heather Quinn-Barron - Director of Human Resources, Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Staff
    quinnbarron@reed.edu
    503-777-7705
    Eliot Hall 305
  • Community Safety
    community-safety@reed.edu
    503-788-6666
    28 West

Reports can be made verbally (in person or by phone) or in writing (in hard copy or electronically - including via the online form).

In the case of a report against a vice president, the Title IX Coordinator, the Director of Human Resources, or the Dean of Faculty, the report may be made to the President.

In the case of a report against the President, the report may be made to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Basic Elements of a Report

There is no formally required content to make a Title IX report. However, the following elements are important to facilitate appropriate response and whenever possible should be included when reporting:

  • Name and Reed affiliation (e.g. student, faculty, staff) of the person making the report;
  • Name and Reed affiliation of the subjects of the report, i.e. the alleged target of prohibited behavior and the alleged perpetrator of prohibited behavior;
  • A brief statement of the event or events which are the cause of the report, including relevant date and location;
  • If the report is in writing, the signature of the person making the report and the date of the filing of the report.

Formal Complaints

In addition to filing a report with the college, a formal complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator. A formal complaint is a document filed with the Title IX Coordinator by a complainant alleging a violation of the Title IX or DHSM policies against a respondent. It must contain the complainant’s signature or otherwise indicate that the complainant is the person filing the formal complaint. In some circumstances, the Title IX Coordinator may initiate a formal complaint. A formal complaint requests that the school investigate the allegation and begin a disciplinary process. When a formal complaint is filed the Title IX Coordinator will provide notice of the formal complaint to the complainant and respondent, and will determine next steps, which may include an investigation and grievance procedure. No disciplinary action may be initiated or taken without a formal complaint.

Obligated Reporters

Certain employees and students must report information of which they are made aware regarding potential violations of the Title IX and/or DHSM policies. The college has designated the following representatives as obligated reporters of possible violations of the Title IX and/or DHSM policies:

  • Staff and faculty who supervise the work of another staff, faculty, or student worker (with the exception of those who are designated as Confidential Resources)
  • The Director and staff members of Community Safety
  • The Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinators, and Investigator
  • Student and staff members of the Sexual Misconduct Board

Anonymous Reporting and Confidential Resources

Any community member wishing to report a violation of the Title IX and/or DHSM policies may do so by completing a secure online form, and may choose to do so anonymously if they wish. In instances of anonymous reports, the college’s ability to respond may be limited, but the college will address each report to the greatest extent possible based on the available information.

Staff and faculty may undertake confidential discussions with a counselor through the Employee Assistance Program.

Students who are unsure about whether they wish to make a report may undertake confidential discussions of possible violations with a SHARE Student Advocate (advocates@reed.edu), or with a counselor in the Health & Counseling Center

More information on reporting options and confidential resources for students can be found on the Sexual Health, Advocacy & Relationship Education website.

Basic Elements of a Report

There is no formally required content to make a Title IX report. However, the following elements are important to facilitate appropriate response and whenever possible should be included when reporting:

  • Name and Reed affiliation (e.g. student, faculty, staff) of the person making the report;
  • Name and Reed affiliation of the subjects of the report, i.e. the alleged target of prohibited behavior and the alleged perpetrator of prohibited behavior;
  • A brief statement of the event or events which are the cause of the report, including relevant date and location;
  • If the report is in writing, the signature of the person making the report and the date of the filing of the report.
Formal Complaints

In addition to filing a report with the college, a formal complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator. A formal complaint is a document filed with the Title IX Coordinator by a complainant alleging a violation of the Title IX or DHSM policies against a respondent. It must contain the complainant’s signature or otherwise indicate that the complainant is the person filing the formal complaint. In some circumstances, the Title IX Coordinator may initiate a formal complaint. A formal complaint requests that the school investigate the allegation and begin a disciplinary process. When a formal complaint is filed the Title IX Coordinator will provide notice of the formal complaint to the complainant and respondent, and will determine next steps, which may include an investigation and grievance procedure. No disciplinary action may be initiated or taken without a formal complaint.