Coordinator Responsibilities

Community Colleges are required to designate compliance coordinators to ensure equal access and address complaints related to discrimination under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (disability) and Title IX (gender equity).  These Coordinators must be provided adequate training to conduct compliance activities under Section 504 and Title IX.  Additionally, the college should ensure that no conflicts of interest exist in relation to the position appointed as compliance coordinator, for example, the Dean of Students may experience a conflict of interest in the event that a student or instructor makes a complaint against the institution due to their position's responsibilities and need to protect the institution's interests.

Essential Functions of a Title IX or 504 Coordinator:

  • Ensure that the grievance procedures are written in language appropriate for the age of the audience (such as elementary, middle school, high school, or postsecondary students) and that they are easily understood and widely disseminated.
  • Review the grievance procedures to help determine whether they incorporate all of the elements required for the prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints.
  • Communicate with students, parents or guardians, and college employees to help them understand the recipient’s grievance procedures.
  • Train employees and students about how Title IX protects against sex discrimination.
  • Coordinate the grievance process and make certain that individual complaints are handled properly. This coordination responsibility may include informing all parties regarding the process, notifying all parties regarding grievance decisions and of the right to and procedures for an appeal if any; monitoring compliance with all of the requirements and timelines specified in the grievance procedures; and maintaining grievance and compliance records and files.
  • Work with the college to ensure grievance procedures are available to English language learners and students with disabilities.

What are some additional sample duties of a Section 504 Coordinator?

  • Work in partnership with the special needs coordinator.
  • Develop a district-wide compliance plan.
  • Gain board approval of the compliance plan.
  • Disseminate the compliance plan in newsletters.
  • Develop, implement, and disseminate details of procedural safeguards.
  • Locate and appoint compliance officers as needed in departments/divisions.
  • Develop, implement, and disseminate commensurate Section 504 procedures.
  • Train compliance officers in Section 504 procedures.
  • Communicate procedures to staff.
  • Seek new information relative to Section 504 compliance and update all data.
  • Appoint a local hearing officer.
  • Identify a mediator for impartial hearings related to referral, evaluation, or placement of individuals with disabilities.
  • Facilitate the training of compliance officers regarding applicant and employment issues related to Section 504 and the ADA.
  • Track the allocation of public resources related to Section 504 placement and accommodations.
  • Serve as liaison with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.

 

Documentation

What documentation can be used to indicate compliance with this standard?

  • Job description of Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator
  • List of training received by coordinators
  • Examples of complaints issued using the grievance procedures with information about resolution (may be redacted to protect complainant or respondent identities)

 

Additional Resources

Information about discrimination based on sex
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/publications.html#TitleIX

History, Status, and Future Roles of Title IX Gender Equity Coordinators
http://feminist.org/education/TitleIX_Coordinators.pdf

Department of Education Letter to Title IX Coordinators
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-title-ix-coordinators-letter-201504.pdf

Department of Education Title IX Resource Guide
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-title-ix-coordinators-guide-201504.pdf

Dear Colleague Letter to Title IX Coordinators
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201504-title-ix-coordinators.pdf