Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) is an all-encompassing federal law protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive 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.

Important Forms and Policies

Title IX at UVA Wise

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise strives to provide a working and educational environment for all faculty, staff and students that is free from sexual misconduct/harassment. Sexual harassment, sexual assault and other acts of sexual misconduct are forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, military status (which includes active duty service members, reserve service members, and dependents), veteran status, and family medical or genetic information, in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Governor’s Executive Order Number One (2018), and other applicable statutes and University policies. The College prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence.

Discrimination: Inequitable treatment by the College of a person based on one or more of that person’s protected characteristics or statuses, excepting any treatment permitted or required by law.

Harassment: Unwelcome conduct directed against a person based on one or more of that person’s protected characteristics or statuses, which conduct is so severe or pervasive that it interferes with an individual’s employment, academic performance or participation in College programs or activities, and creates a working, learning, program or activity environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive.

Retaliation: Reprisal, interference, restraint, penalty, discrimination, intimidation or harassment, determined in accordance with applicable legal standards.

The Title IX Coordinator at UVA Wise is Tabitha Smith.

Reporting an Incident

A complainant is encouraged to immediately report an incident to a responsible employee of the College (i.e., an employee who has the authority and/or duty to report to the Title IX Coordinator, including Campus Police and student employees such as Resident Advisors. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for accepting and processing all sexual misconduct/harassment complaints.

Reporting to Campus Police

Campus Police may be contacted by calling 276-328-0190 during regular business hours, 276-328-3756 after hours, or 911 at any time.

Campus Counseling

The Counseling Center has confidential professional staff that can provide assistance and support for incidents of sexual misconduct/harassment, located on the upper level of Cantrell Hall.

In the residential communities, the Resident Advisors are student leaders in the halls who can listen and provide referral information. An on-duty professional Residence Life staff member is also available 24-hours per day, seven days per week, and can provide contacts for students to counselors and other agencies in the community for help.

Learn More About Counseling Services

On-Campus Resources

Off-Campus Resources

Norton Community Hospital – 100 Fifteenth Street NW, Norton VA 24273 | 276-679-9600
Lonesome Pine Hospital – 1990 Holton Avenue, Big Stone Gap VA 24219 | 276-523-3111
Wise County Police Department – 501 West Main Street, Wise VA 24293 | 276-328-9369
Family Crisis Support Services (FCCS) – PO Box 692, Norton VA 24273 | 276-679-7240
FCCS Sexual Assault 24-hour Crisis Hotline | 1-877-348-3416
Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline | 1-800-838-8238
Victim Witness Program – 206 East Main Street #245, Wise VA 24293 | 276-328-4421
Wise County Magistrate – 5607 Patriot Drive, Wise VA 24293| 276-328-8947
Wise County Behavioral Health Services – 3169 2nd Avenue East, Big Stone Gap VA 24219| 276-523-8300
Legal Aid Society – 16932 West Hills Drive, Castlewood VA 24224| 276-762-9354
US Dept. of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs – Non-immigrant visa cases | 202-485-7600
US Dept. of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs – Immigrant visa cases | 603-334-0700

Title IX Training

Employees for UVA Wise who serve on the Title IX Team have completed one or more of the following trainings in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Department of Education:

Please contact The Office for Advocacy & Opportunity for more information regarding training or resources.