Title IX
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex under any education program or activity of The Master’s University and Seminary (“TMUS”) receiving 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.”
The United States Department of Education Office For Civil Rights is responsible for assessing university compliance with Title IX.
What protections does Title IX provide?
Educational programs and activities that receive ED funds must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner.
Title IX is intended to protect students, employees, and third parties to ensure no one is denied access to, or is limited in their educational programs and activities because of sexual discrimination.
Some key issue areas in which recipients have Title IX obligations are: recruitment, admissions, and counseling, financial assistance, athletics, sex-based harassment, treatment of pregnant and parenting students, discipline, single-sex education, student housing, and employment. Also, a recipient may not retaliate against any person for opposing an unlawful educational practice or policy, or making charges, testifying or participating in any complaint action under Title IX. For a recipient to retaliate in any way is considered a violation of Title IX.
Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations, an institution that receives federal funds must ensure that no student suffers a deprivation of his or her access to educational opportunities based on sex.
Who do I contact to report a violation?
If you wish to file a report of sexual harassment please contact the Title IX Coordinator.
The TMUS notice of non-discrimination, grievance procedures, and identification of Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator is found in the student and employee handbook.
A brochure with information about Title IX and who to contact for a report is available from the Office of Human Resources or Student Life.
Official with Authority
Effective August 14, 2020: Under Title IX regulations, employees designated as an “Official with Authority” (formerly “responsible employee”) ## must report allegations of sexual harassment occurring in TMUS programs and activities in the United States to the Title IX Coordinator. All other employees ## may report allegations to the Title IX Coordinator.
In order to ensure compliance, each Official with Authority is expected to do his or her part and promptly notify the Title IX Coordinator when a student, employee, or third party files a complaint of alleged sexual harassment. TMUS will then take steps to understand what occurred and respond appropriately.
Notice of Non Discrimination
TMUS is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all individuals who participate in TMUS programs and activities can work together in an atmosphere free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. Master’s strictly prohibits the offenses of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and all forms of sexual harassment, discrimination and misconduct.
TMUS is committed to fostering holiness in the lives of our students, faculty and staff. This includes issues of sexuality. Scripture is clear that any sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and a women is sin and not to be pursued. Students who engage in sexual activity, even consensual, outside the bonds of marriage, are acting in a manner that violates student conduct standards as described in the student handbook in conjunction with the doctrinal statement of TMUS.
When a member of our community sexually violates another, TMUS is committed to pursuing investigation and disciplinary actions according to Title IX regulations and delineated in the policy for sexual misconduct.
All members of the TMUS community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. When an allegation of harassment is brought to the Coordinator’s attention, protective measures will be taken to reasonably ensure that such conduct ends and is not repeated.
Non Discrimination Exemption
TMUS operates in compliance with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws, and is committed to providing a learning and living environment that promotes student safety, transparency, personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect.
TMUS has received approval of the regulatory exemption available under Title IX, 34 C.F.R. Section 106.12. The statutory exemption is self-executing as set forth in 20 U.S.C. Section 1681(a)(3).
TMUS is also exempt from the non-discrimination restrictions in California Education Code Section 66270 (the “Act”), in accordance with Section 66271 of the Act, to the extent such restrictions are not consistent with the religious tenets of the institution. As an educational institution controlled by a religious organization within the meaning of Title IX, TMUS is exempt from the application of Title IX and the Act to the extent such regulations are not consistent with the institution’s religious tenets.
The activities from which TMUS is exempt are comprised of the following:
• Policies regarding student recruitment and admissions prohibitions on the basis of sex
• Policies regarding rules of behavior, sanctions, or other treatment
• Policies regarding limitation of rights, privileges, advantages, or opportunities
• Policies regarding all shared private spaces (i.e. residence halls, restrooms, locker rooms)
• Policies regarding athletics
• Policies regarding employment, including pre-employment inquiries, recruitment, and discrimination in employment for pregnancy leave, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity
• Policies regarding pregnancy and marital status
TMUS Title IX Policy
A copy of the TMUS Title IX Policy can be found in Appendix 5 of the Student Handbook.
Training Materials
Training materials used in Title IX formal grievance processes can be found below:
The Biblical principles used during the informal grievance processes may be found in the Holy Bible.
Title IX Coordinator
The following employees has been designated to handle inquiries regarding TMUS compliance with Title IX:
Kimberly E. Wilson Director of Human Resources | Title IX Coordinator
661-362-2844 | TitleIXCoordinator@masters.edu
21726 Placerita Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Isaias Muñoz, TMS Staff Services Coordinator | Executive Asst. for D.Min. | Deputy Title IX Coordinator
| 818-909-5742 | imunoz@tms.edu |
13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352