Lauren Jones McKown, University Title IX Coordinator
civilrights@ku.edu
Dorris Mbogo, Director, Equal Opportunity & Academic Compliance
dmbogo@kumc.edu
About Us
University of Kansas Medical Center and the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX (OCRTIX) are dedicated to the recruitment, development and retention of outstanding leaders and educators who inspire an environment that engages minds, expands knowledge and fosters academic excellence. To achieve this goal, the KU Medical Center campus must be one that is free of all forms of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination and must also be a campus that recognizes and fosters its regulatory obligations as an institution of higher learning to continually improve and enhance the academic environment.
The mission of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX is to support and enhance a working and learning environment that provides equal opportunities, promotes an inclusive culture, and advances academic excellence. OCRTIX implements and monitors affirmative action initiatives, resolves discrimination complaints, reviews and revises higher education requirement policies and procedures, and is responsible for receiving and investigating reports of sexual violence. OCRTIX also facilitates educational programming regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence, discrimination, disabilities, reasonable accommodation, hiring, recruitment and affirmative action, and various higher education regulatory matters.
Complaints of Discrimination or Harassment
The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX is responsible for conducting confidential investigations into allegations of discrimination or harassment based on race, religion, color, ethnicity, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or retaliation. Investigations are carried out in accordance with KU Medical Center's Discrimination Complaint Resolution Process. Once an investigation is complete, OCRTIX will make a determination as to whether discrimination or any other conduct contrary to policy has occurred and will provide recommendations for resolution.
Affirmative Action
As a federal contractor, KU Medical Center is required to draft and implement an annual Affirmative Action Plan (AAP). The Office of Integrity & Compliance (OIC) monitors KU Medical Center's efforts to increase diversity through its AAP and ensures that the plan outlines strategic initiatives and sets goals to identify and recruit diverse, qualified and talented faculty and staff. OIC also provides assistance to hiring managers in producing an effective recruitment plan and in implementing procedures that include: proactively communicating the availability of positions to a broad and diverse range of qualified candidates; developing strategies to attract available members from underrepresented groups; and encouraging potential candidates from underrepresented groups to apply for positions.
Title IX
The University's Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating compliance with Title IX and responding to inquiries concerning gender equality or sexual violence. KU Medical Center is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the University community is, on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any University program or activity. In accordance with KUMC's Title IX Resolution Procedures, the Title IX Coordinator conducts a prompt investigation into claims of sex-based discrimination and/or sexual harassment, including sexual violence, and draws a conclusion based upon a preponderance of the evidence. The Title IX Coordinator also recommends remedial and preventative action when appropriate. At any point before, during or after an investigation, the Title IX Coordinator may determine that supportive or remedial measures directed at the parties, witnesses or a broader University population are necessary and appropriate to prevent and/or respond to sexual harassment or sexual violence.
To submit a report of sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence to the University Title IX Coordinator, please complete this online form.
Academic Compliance
As an institution of higher learning, KU Medical Center must meet the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and other education-related regulations and standards. The Office of Integrity & Compliance assists the University by monitoring KUMC's efforts to comply with those obligations, reviewing and revising applicable policies, and collaborating with responsible departments to develop best practices and standards for detecting and preventing non-compliance.
Training
The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX believes that promoting outreach and education to all faculty, staff, members, residents, graduate teaching assistants, and students fosters a community of mutual respect and increases awareness of the strength in diversity and inclusion. OCRTIX training provides opportunities for increased learning and understanding of anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws, affirmative action hiring policies, and reasonable accommodations policies.