Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance

Georgia Gwinnett College (“GGC”) is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities operated by recipients of Federal financial assistance, including the admissions process and in employment. In accordance with federal, state and local law and the GGC’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy, GGC does not discriminate on the basis of sex (including pregnancy, child birth or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth), race, color, creed, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other protected status or characteristic as defined by law in its programs and activities, its admission process, its employment, and provides equal access.

The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Sharon Stellato, J.D., Interim Title IX Coordinator
Building B, Suite 3700
678.407.5085
TitleIX [at] ggc.edu (TitleIX[at]ggc[dot]edu) 

Inquiries may also be directed to:

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Customer service hotline number: (800) 421-3481
Facsimile: (202) 453-6012
TDD number: (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR [at] ed.gov (OCR[at]ed[dot]gov)
Website: https://www.ed.gov/ocr

The Title IX coordinator is responsible for monitoring and overseeing Title IX compliance at the college, to include coordination of training, education, communications, and administration of grievance procedures for faculty, staff, students and other members of the GGC community.

Sharon Stellato, J.D., Interim Title IX Coordinator
TitleIX [at] ggc.edu (TitleIX[at]ggc[dot]edu)

GGC is proactive in its efforts to address and reduce instances of sexual misconduct, including sexual violence, in order to create and maintain a welcoming learning and working environment. It’s our responsibility to ensure compliance with federal law by demonstrating that our processes and procedures are operated in a manner consistent with Title VII and Title IX regulations and provisions, as well as the Violence Against Women Act. Prohibited sex discrimination covers sexual harassment, including stalking, dating/domestic violence as defined by the Sexual Misconduct Policy.

The college follows the Board of Regents Sexual Misconduct Policy 6.7, GGC's Title IX / Sexual Misconduct Policy 4.1.7, as well as the Board of Regents Policy Standards for Institutional Student Conduct Investigation and Disciplinary Proceedings 4.6.5 for all allegations involving student sexual misconduct. All allegations of discrimination and harassment involving employees, students, or third party respondents based on protected categories, not covered by the Board of Regents Student Sexual Misconduct Policy, will be handled by the GGC Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment NDAH) Policy.

Read the full sexual misconduct policy

GGC faculty, instructors, administrators, supervisors, other responsible employees, and all persons in positions of authority, even if they are also students (e.g., residential assistants, teaching assistants and student managers), must report to Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance any complaints they receive or knowledge they possess (whether direct or indirect) of any discrimination or harassment that is prohibited under the NDAH policy and the student sexual misconduct policy. Failure to make a report by a person in a position of authority is a separate violation of the NDAH policy and the student sexual misconduct policy.

Temporary/Pregnancy Documentation Form (PDF)   Disability Services

Title IX Application

Title IX prohibits the discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities. This protection extends to pregnancy and the conditions arising in connection with a pregnancy such as:

• Pregnancy,
• Childbirth,
• Termination of pregnancy,
• False pregnancy,
• Miscarriage,
• Medical conditions during pregnancy, or
• Medically required recovery arising in connection with pregnancy or any of these conditions.

It is illegal to exclude a pregnant student from classes or any other activity that non-pregnant students may access.

Absences

Absences due to pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions must be excused. Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance may request documentation from a doctor to ensure that the absence is medically necessary. If classes are missed due to a pregnancy-related condition, faculty must provide an opportunity to make up any work the student would have had to complete if they were in class.

Reasonable Modifications and Adjustments

Students who are pregnant or have pregnancy-related conditions are entitled to reasonable modification that are provided to other students who have temporary medical conditions to ensure equal access to the college’s education program and activities. Reasonable modifications are those that do not fundamentally alter the College’s education program or activity.

Any student seeking reasonable modifications must make a request utilizing Disability Services’ Temporary/Pregnancy Documentation Form (PDF), reaching out to Disability Services (DisabilityServices [at] ggc.edu (disabilityservices[at]ggc[dot]edu)) or Title IX office (titleix [at] ggc.edu (titleix[at]ggc[dot]edu)). Please note that some reasonable modifications may require documentation from your health care provider detailing needs that are medically necessary. Students will then be contacted to discuss appropriate and available reasonable modifications based on their individual needs and the medical documentation provided by the student.

Students are encouraged to request reasonable modifications as promptly as possible, as retroactive modifications are not available.

Reasonable modifications are voluntary, and a student can accept or decline the offered reasonable modifications. Not all reasonable modifications are appropriate for all contexts. Reasonable modification end when pregnancy-related conditions manifest as temporary disabilities.

Reasonable modifications that are available include, but are not limited to the following:

• Breaks during class and tests as needed
• Rescheduling tests or exams
• Excusing medically-necessary absences as needed due to pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions
• Extending deadlines and/or allowing students to make up tests or assignments for pregnancy-related absences
• Submitting work after a deadline
• Requesting a larger desk
• Mobility support
• Modifications to the physical environment
• Providing alternatives to make up missed work
• Requesting an incomplete, course withdrawal or replacement
• Student employment leave
• Receiving parking adjustments
• Academic leave of absence
• Allowing breastfeeding students reasonable time and space to pump breast milk in a location that is private, clean and reasonably accessible
• Allowing excused absences for parenting students who need to perform duties such as taking care of a sick child or bringing a child to a medical appointment

Please note that the college is not required to make any reasonable modifications that fundamentally alter any essential elements of any academic program.

Reasonable Modification Requests under Title IX

For assistance with pregnancy reasonable modifications, please complete the Temporary/Pregnancy Accommodation Request Form (PDF) to request an academic reasonable modification. This will allow the college to begin working with you to explore possible reasonable modification and adjustments to fit your needs. You will also have an opportunity to upload documentation, which may include the following:

• Appointment confirmations
• Online health portal printout
• ER summary
• Doctor’s note

A student who has developed a chronic medical condition as a result of pregnancy or students with certain pregnancy-related conditions or complications following childbirth should request modifications from Disability Services.

Following childbirth, students with certain pregnancy-related conditions or complications or lactation needs may be eligible for additional support through Disability Services.

Confidentiality

GGC is committed to maintaining your privacy. Information you share related to your pregnancy or parenting status will not be shared with others, including faculty, unless you authorize permission to share it. If you have questions about the safeguards in place to protect your privacy before submitting a written request, please email titleix [at] ggc.edu (titleix[at]ggc[dot]edu).

Employees

Employees needing accommodations should contact Sandra Scheider, associate vice president of Human Resources, chief human resources officer, (SSchneid [at] ggc.edu (SSchneid[at]ggc[dot]edu))

Lactation Spaces on Campus

Campus lactation spaces are available for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Individuals on campus may also request private spaces to pump milk or address other needs related to breastfeeding. Lactation spaces are private, safe and clean with a place to sit, store belongings and have access to plug in breast pumps and restroom sinks located nearby. Individuals who use lactation spaces are expected to make their own arrangements for refrigeration, including sealed containers and proper storage.

Lactation Pod

Library, Building L, Second floor

Available during library business hours, the lactation pod contains a lockable door, AC and USB outlets, two benches, collapsible table and a sink located in the nearby restroom.

Lactation Room

Building A, Room 1001

Available during GGC academic building hours, the Building A lactation room contains a lockable door, chair, AC outlets and a sink located in the nearby restroom.

Additional Resources

Food and Baby Supplies

The Georgia Department of Public Health created the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program to provide information on healthy eating, breastfeeding and healthcare to new parents. The program also provides financial assistance for food to families who are in need.

Learn more about Georgia's WIC program.

Childcare

The Childcare and Parent Services Program (CAPS) from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning provides financial assistance to parents with children 12 years of age or younger so parents can attend work or school.

Learn more about Georgia's CAPS program.