Title IX

The Franklin School of Innovation Title IX Policy

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities.  The School is committed to providing an environment free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and violence, as required by law.  Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the Civil Rights Act provides that “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.”

Title IX protects students, employees, applicants for admission and employment, and other persons from all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity. All students (as well as other persons) at recipient institutions are protected by Title IX—regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, part- or full-time status, disability, race, or national origin—in all aspects of a recipient’s educational programs and activities.

The Franklin School of Innovation complies with Title IX, as required by Federal Law.

Prohibited Behavior

The School and the law strictly prohibit the following behaviors, collectively referred to as “misconduct” under this policy.

1. Sex discrimination (unequal treatment). Sex discrimination typically involves some form
   of conduct that denies a student equal participation in or the benefits of any education
   program or activity or denies an employee equal workplace access or opportunity of the
   student’s or employee’s gender, respectively.
2. Sexual harassment. Sexual harassment, a form of discrimination, is any sexually-oriented
   conduct aimed at or negatively impacting a person, and which conduct is motivated by the
   victim’s gender.
3. Sexual Violence. This includes sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or
   stalking within the School or affecting a School program or activity.
4. Retaliation. Retaliation involves any action against an individual because the individual has
   made a report or complaint; has testified, assisted, or participated (or refused to participate) in
   a sex discrimination/harassment investigation, proceeding, or hearing. Retaliation can take
   many forms, including, but not limited to, intimidation, threats, coercion, disciplinary action,
   or discrimination.

Available Assistance

Any individual, who believes they may have experienced any form of sex discrimination or
sexual harassment, or who believes that they have observed such actions taking place, may
receive information and assistance regarding the School’s policies and reporting procedures from
any of the following:

● The Franklin School of Innovation’s Title IX Coordinator:

Erinn Otten
eotten@thefsi.us
828-500-4844
21 Innovation Drive
Asheville, NC 28806

● Contact information for the Office for Civil Rights with jurisdiction over North Carolina is as follows:

4000 Maryland Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1475
Telephone: 202-453-6020
TDD: 800-877-8339
FAX: 202-453-6021
Email: OCR.DC@ed.gov