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Overview of Title IX

On June 23, 1972, the President signed Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., into law. Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. The principal objective of Title IX is to avoid the use of federal money to support sex discrimination in education programs and to provide individual citizens effective protection against those practices. Title IX applies, with a few specific exceptions, to all aspects of federally funded education programs or activities. In addition to traditional educational institutions such as colleges, universities, and elementary and secondary schools, Title IX also applies to any education or training program operated by a recipient of federal financial assistance. The Department of Education has issued regulations on the requirements of Title IX, 34 C.F.R. § 106.1et seq. The Title IX common rule published on August 30, 2020 and updated regulations published on May 14, 2020 covers education program providers/recipients that are funded by other federal agencies.

Blackhawk Technical College is bound by, and supports, all applicable laws as they pertain to Title IX. The Title IX of the Higher Education Act of 1972 ensures the College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (SAVE) of 2013 and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) ensures that colleges and universities implement policies and programs to prevent sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. 

For more information, view BTC's Board Policy E-222: Prohibition of Sexual Harassment under Title IX.

What if something happened or I think something happened?

Students, staff, and/or witnesses are highly encouraged to direct violence, harassment, assault, or other Title IX questions, concerns, and complaints to the Title IX Coordinator or an appropriate Title IX college employee that is available. If a Title IX Coordinator is alleged to be the person who engaged in discrimination or sexual misconduct, the report may be filed with another of the named officers or via our online reporting tool. We will maintain the confidentiality of the investigation to the extent possible, revealing information only on a need-to-know basis.

View the Discrimination and Harrassment Complaint Form

Accomodation of Pregnant and Parenting Students

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities, this includes pregnancy and parental status. Schools must excuse a student’s absences because of pregnancy or childbirth for as long as the student’s doctor deems the absences medically necessary.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities, this includes pregnancy and parental status. Schools must excuse a student’s absences because of pregnancy or childbirth for as long as the student’s doctor deems the absences medically necessary.

Absence policies in classes must accommodate pregnancy or childbirth-related absences and allow for make-up work. “A teacher may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a deadline that they missed because of absences due to pregnancy or childbirth. Additionally, if a teacher’s grading is based in part on class attendance or participation, the student should be allowed to earn the credits they missed, so that they can be reinstated to the status they had before the leave.”

  • The right to equal access to schools and activities
  • The right to be excused for absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as is deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician
  • The right to resume learning where they left off due to pregnancy-related absences
  • The right to attend class and school activities without submitting a doctor’s note

Although pregnancy itself is not a disability, pregnancy-related impairments may qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Accommodations include, but are not limited to:

  • Excused or extended absences related to medical appointments and/or symptoms or illness related to pregnancy.
  • Excused absences up to 6 weeks or longer per doctor’s recommendations
  • Time/location for breast-pumping
  • Extended coursework deadlines
  • Incompletes/Withdrawals
  • Remote learning options
  • Environmental accommodations (e.g., accessible seating)
  • Health/safety precautions
  • Breaks to attend to pregnancy-related needs

Accommodations may also apply to non-birthing parents who are adjusting their academic responsibilities due to the birth of a child, an adoption, or placement of a foster child during the three-month period after the child enters the home.

  • Pregnant students are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator early in their pregnancy. Accommodations are not granted until the required paperwork is completed
  • The student is responsible for obtaining appropriate medical documentation
  • The Access and Accommodations Office will guide the student in obtaining appropriate medical documentation. Accommodations are determined based on the medical documentation provided
  • The Title IX Coordinator will work with the student and instructors to implement the accommodations

If you are pregnant or recovering from a false pregnancy or termination of a pregnancy, contact the Access and Accommodations Office in the Student Success Center (Room 2200). Email disabilityinfo@blackhawk.edu or call (608) 757-7796.

Students can email medical documentation relating to their pregnancy or a relevant event to Title IX Coordinator / afadroski1@blackhawk.edu