I. Purpose
Anne Arundel Community College (“College”) is committed to providing programs, activities and an educational and employment environment in which all individuals are valued, respected and secure. Therefore, all forms of sex discrimination, including, sexual harassment and sexual conduct, but not limited to, non-consensual sexual acts, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, and discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, recovery from pregnancy, or related conditions are expressly prohibited. Retaliation for reporting any such conduct, participating in an investigation or grievance process, or otherwise exercising rights under this Policy is also expressly prohibited.
II. Scope and Applicability
This Policy applies to all Anne Arundel Community College students, faculty, administrators, staff, volunteers, vendors, and others conducting business on behalf of the College, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (2020), the College prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity it operates.
This Policy applies to conduct that occurs within the College’s education programs or activities, including locations, events, and circumstances over which the College exercises substantial control over both the respondent and the context in which the conduct occurs, and any building owned or controlled by a student organization officially recognized by the College. Conduct that does not meet Title IX jurisdictional standards may still be addressed under other applicable College policies and procedures.
III. Definitions for Title IX Sexual Harassment
For purposes of Title IX, sexual harassment includes conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
1. Quid pro quo harassment, an employee of the College conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the College on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
2. Hostile environment harassment, unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the College’s education program or activity.
3. Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, as defined by federal law.
Conduct that does not meet Title IX jurisdictional standards may still be addressed under other College policies and procedures.
IV. Reporting
All members of the college community share in the responsibility to create and maintain a safe learning environment. Employees who have been or are being subjected to sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or related conduct, or who are aware of another who has been or is being subjected to such conduct shall promptly notify the College’s Title IX Coordinator so appropriate action can be taken.
Students who have been or are being subjected to sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or related prohibited conduct, or who are aware of another who has been or is being subjected to such conduct are strongly encouraged to notify the College’s Title IX Coordinator, College Department of Public Safety and Police, or other appropriate college authorities or local law enforcement.
Reports may be made in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail.
The College has designated the following official to coordinate its compliance with Title IX:
Michael Zarate Salvador
Chief Compliance and Fair Practices Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Anne Arundel Community College
Email: complianceofficer@aacc.edu
Phone: 410-777-1239
The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX, receiving reports of sex discrimination, coordinating supportive measures, overseeing investigations and grievance processes, ensuring appropriate training, and supporting prompt and equitable resolution of complaints.
V. Supportive Measures
Upon receiving notice of alleged sex discrimination, the College will promptly contact the complainant to discuss the availability of supportive measures, consider the complainant’s wishes with respect to supportive measures, and explain the process for filing a formal complaint.
Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate and reasonably available, without fee or charge, to the complainant or respondent. Supportive measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the College’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party.
Supportive measures may include counseling, schedule modifications, academic adjustments, work adjustments, mutual restrictions on contact, increased security, or other appropriate measures.
Supportive measures are available regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed.
VI. Formal Complaint and Grievance Process
The College maintains a formal grievance process consistent with 34 C.F.R. §106.45 (2020 regulations) for resolving formal complaints of Title IX sexual harassment. The process provides for prompt and equitable resolution and includes, at a minimum:
1. Written notice of allegations to both parties.
2. A presumption that the respondent is not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination regarding responsibility is made.
3. An objective evaluation of all relevant evidence, including both inculpatory and exculpatory evidence.
4. Equal opportunity for the parties to present fact witnesses and other evidence.
5. An equal opportunity for the parties to have an advisor of choice, who may be an attorney.
6. Access to the evidence directly related to the allegations and an opportunity to respond.
7. A live hearing with cross-examination conducted by the parties’ advisors, where required by Title IX regulations.
8. A written determination regarding responsibility.
9. The right to appeal on the grounds specified in the grievance procedures.
The College applies the preponderance of the evidence standard when making responsibility determinations under this policy. Detailed procedural requirements are set forth in the College’s applicable Title IX procedures, which are incorporated by reference into this policy.
In accordance with state law (Education Article, 11-601), upon the initiation of a formal Title IX investigation, each current or former student alleging a violation of the College’s sexual misconduct policy and enrolled as a student at the time of the incident that is the basis of the alleged violation, and each current or former student responding to an allegation of violating the College’s sexual misconduct policy and enrolled as a student at the time of the incident that is the basis of the alleged violation shall be permitted access to legal counsel paid for by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Further, the College shall provide written notice of the allegations under investigation to the students involved, with a description of their rights and participation in the investigative process, consistent with applicable Title IX procedures.
Policy Title: Sexual Misconduct Policy
Policy Category: General
Policy Owner: President
Policy Administrator: Michael Zarate Salvador, Chief Compliance and Fair Practices Officer and Title IX Coordinator
Contact Information: complianceofficer@aacc.edu, (410) 777-1239
Approval Date: March 9, 2026
Effective Date: March 10, 2026
History: Adopted May 10, 1994; revised May 12, 2009; June 9, 2015 (effective July 1, 2015; revised June 11, 2019 (effective August 1, 2019); revised March 9, 2026 to align with Title IX regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (2020)
Applies to: All Faculty, Staff and Students
Related Policies: N/A
Related Procedures:
Forms/Guidelines: N/A
Relevant Laws: