Welcome to the Title IX Office
UNC Asheville is committed to maintaining a respectful, safe, and inclusive environment for all University community members and guests of the University. The Title IX Office is responsible for providing education, support, and resources to prevent and address sex-based discrimination, harassment, and violence.
Title IX Explained
“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.”
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 defines and ensures gender equity in education. The law prohibits all forms of sex or gender-based discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal funding. Sex-based discrimination can be based on a person’s sex, which includes sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or a sex stereotype.
Some key issue areas in which institutions have Title IX obligations are: recruitment, admissions, and counseling; financial assistance; athletics; sex- or gender-based harassment; treatment of pregnant and parenting students; discipline; single-sex education; and employment. Also, an institution may not retaliate against any person for opposing an unlawful educational practice or policy, or made charges, testified or participated in any complaint action. For an institution to retaliate in any way is also considered a violation.
Title IX applies to all UNC Asheville educational programs or activities, including sponsored off-campus programs. The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and Access, Heather L. Lindkvist, who is the University’s Title IX Coordinator, is charged with ensuring the University’s compliance with Title IX, and other applicable Nondiscrimination laws. The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights ensures compliance.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating or domestic violence or stalking, please email the Title IX Office at TitleIX@unca.edu for guidance and support.
Nondiscrimination Statement
The University of North Carolina Asheville is committed to cultivating an equitable, respectful, and welcoming community. The University, in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran or military status, or other legally protected status in the administration of any educational program or activity, scholarship and loan programs, admission and employment, or other school administered programs. No person, on the basis of protected status, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any University Program or Activity, including with respect to admissions and employment terms and conditions.
Inquiries or complaints concerning the application of the University’s nondiscrimination policies, including discrimination in employment or educational programs and activities, or sex discrimination in educational programs and activities under Title IX may be referred to Heather L. Lindkvist, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity & Access/Title IX Coordinator, to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both. [See “Inquiries” section below.]
Inquiries involving nondiscrimination laws related to employment may also be referred to UNC Asheville’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity & Access, and/or to the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and/or North Carolina Civil Rights Division. [See “Inquiries” section below.]
UNC Asheville’s nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located at UNC Asheville’s Policies and Compliance website.
Inquiries
Inquiries or complaints concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the UNC Asheville’s Title IX Coordinator and/or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights:
Title IX Coordinator
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Institutional Integrity & Access
Heather L. Lindkvist
(828) 232-5658
TitleIX@unca.edu
116 Highsmith Student Union
One University Heights, CPO 1285
Asheville, NC 28804
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education, District of Columbia Office
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-1475
Phone: (202) 453-6020 | Fax: (202) 453-6021 | TDD: (800) 537-7697
Email: OCR.DC@ed.gov
Web: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/
In addition to the Title IX Coordinator, inquiries involving employees may also be referred to:
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Charlotte District Office
129 West Trade Street, Suite 400
Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: (800) 669-4000 | Fax: (704) 954-6410 | TTY: (800) 669-6820 | ALS Video Phone: (844) 234-5122
Web: www.eeoc.org
North Carolina Civil Rights Division
1711 New Hope Church Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone | (984) 236-1850 | Fax: (984) 236-1946
Web | https://www.oah.nc.gov/civil-rights-division/employment-discrimination
Contact the Title IX Office
The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for educating the campus community through primary prevention and ongoing prevention programs, presentations and campaigns to keep UNC Asheville students, staff and faculty educated, informed and safe. The Title IX Coordinator ensures that reports are addressed through University procedures and policies, and that the incident is resolved in a timely, fair and impartial manner. Reports are investigated based on the policies and procedures of the university where the safety and security of all faculty, staff, students, and guests, along with compliance with all applicable laws, is of the utmost importance.
Heather L. Lindkvist
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Integrity and Access / Title IX Coordinator / Clery Compliance Officer
| Office: 116 Highsmith Student Union |
| Phone: (828) 232-5658 |
| Email: TitleIX@unca.edu |
