Title IX

Ave Maria School of Law’s Title IX Officer oversees compliance with all aspects of the sex/gender harassment, discrimination and misconduct policy. The Title IX Officer reports directly to the President and Dean of Ave Maria School of Law. The Title IX Officer’s office is #2023, located on the second floor of the Faculty and Administration Building at 707 Vineyards Blvd., Naples, FL 34119. Questions about this policy should be directed to the Title IX or Assistant Officer. Anyone wishing to make a report relating to discrimination or harassment may do so by reporting the concern to the Ave Maria School of Law Title IX or Assistant Officer in person, by email or by regular mail. Additionally, anonymous reports can be made by victims and/or third parties using the titleIX@avemarialaw.edu email. Note that these anonymous reports may prompt a need for the institution to investigate.

24 hour Security

On Our Campus

The security desk is located in the commons building and may be reached at

239-302-8047

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 is a law passed requiring gender equality for males and females in every educational institution that receives federal funding. Fundamental to this goal is the prevention of sexual harassment and assault, which can hinder a positive learning environment.

Title IX regulations fall under the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education, whose mission is to “ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.”

File a report

Title IX incidents can be reported via email or in person to:

Primary:

Maureen Milliron, Title IX Officer
Phone: 239-687-5303
mmmilliron@avemarialaw.edu

Secondary:

Kathleen Shelmerdine, Title IX Assistant Officer
Phone: 239-687-5345
kshelmerdine@avemarialaw.edu

Natalie Brazzale, Title IX Coordinator
Phone: 239-687-5369
nibrazzale@@avemarialaw.edu

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education, license number 4007. Fully accredited by the American Bar Association. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Consumer-Services, 1-800-435-7352.

Ave Maria School of Law recognizes the inherent value and dignity of all members of the human family. It values equal opportunity and seeks racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity. The Law School does not preclude admission or retention of students or employees on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran. The Law School maintains its Catholic character but is open to persons of all religious faiths who respect the goals of Ave Maria School of Law and whose conduct does not undermine the Law School’s religious goals or compromise its Catholic identity.

Filing a Complaint

Initial Complaint Procedures

Step One: Title IX Coordinator receives complaint (via personal visit, phone call, email, reporting form), one of several ways:

Victim notifies Title IX Coordinator directly of incident
Victim notifies an Ave Law employee who then notifies Title IX Coordinator of incident
Third-party (i.e. Ave Law employee, professor, Campus Security, another student, parent, reporting form) notifies Title IX Coordinator of an alleged incident

Step Two: Title IX Coordinator meets with alleged victim/student

a. Ensure victim feels protected and safe on campus through supportive measures which include, but not limited to:

I. Issuance of a “no-contact directive”

II. Police presence

III. Change in housing assignment, when feasible

IV. Change in class schedule, when feasible

b. Advise student of formal grievance procedures

c. Inform student of Law School’s reporting obligations to collect campus crime statistics under federal law (see the Jeanne Clery Act for more information)

d. Student decides whether to file a formal complaint

* May vary depending on the individual and incident

Formal Complaint

A formal complaint is a request of the Title IX office to investigate and the Formal Grievance Procedure to begin

Step One: The alleged Victim becomes the Complainant and signs a written complaint

Step Two: The alleged Accused (Respondent) is notified

Step Three: Investigation begins

Step Four: Case will be dismissed or sent to a Hearing

Step Five: If goes to a Hearing a live hearing will be scheduled

Step Six: The hearing panel will make a decision

Step Seven: The Respondent and the Complainant have a right to appeal the decision made by the hearing panel

Step Eight: The decision is filed and sanctions are executed

Per federal regulations, any victim has the right to notify and file charges with local authorities about any sexual assault offense incident at any time, whether or not the individual has notified the university.

Campus Security: 239-302-8047

Collier County Sheriff Department: https://www.colliersheriff.org/

Ave Maria School of Law coordinates and cooperates with local law enforcement agencies. Per regulations, a criminal investigation cannot and does not derail the Law School’s obligation to promptly and thoroughly investigate a complaint. These two types of investigations will often be conducted simultaneously, as each party deems appropriate.

File a Report

Training

In compliance with 34 CFR part 106.45(b)(10), please find the training materials that our Title IX coordinators successfully completed.
ATIXA Title IX Coordinator and Administrator Training & Certification Level One Course.
ATIXA Title IX Coordinator and Administrator Training & Certification Level Two Course

These materials are copyrighted. For more information please visit the ATIXA regulation requirement page.

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) is a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose annual information about campus crime. Each year Ave Maria School of Law files a report with the United States Department of Education stating the incidences of crime on campus. For a definition of the crimes see Crime Definitions. Each faculty member, student and employee receive an email on the school’s crime and fire statistics each fall.

Annual Security and Fire Report