Title IX

Important: 2024 Title IX Rule Vacated – Reversion to 2020 Title IX Rule

On January 9, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky ruled in Tennessee v. Cardona to vacate the 2024 Title IX Final Rule.  The ruling applies nationwide and effectively returns Title IX to the 2020 regulations.  The U.S. Department of Education indicated in a Dear Colleague Letter, dated February 4, 2025, that in light of the court’s decision, it will enforce Title IX under the provisions of the 2020 Title IX Rule.

As a result, the 2024 Title IX changes implemented to the Student Conduct Code (Chapter 132R-04 WAC), AP 6113, Sex Discrimination Investigation Procedure, and AP 4300 Sex Discrimination Employee Discipline Procedure are no longer in effect as currently written. Rather, Big Bend Community College will enforce its policies consistent with the 2020 Title IX Rules and is in the process of formally reverting to its prior policies and rules which reflect the 2020 Title IX Rules. This includes readopting AP 6113, Title IX Investigation & Grievance Procedure (8/14/2020) and AP 4300 Supplemental Title IX Employee Hearing Procedure (8/14/2020), as well as those applicable provisions of the Student Conduct Code.

We remain committed to ensuring a safe, fair, and compliant process for addressing Title IX matters as well as other matters that fall under AP 6115, Discrimination & Harassment. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact Kim Garza, Title IX Coordinator, at kimg@bigbend.edu.

For more information:

What is Title IX?

Title IX is part of the Education Amendments of 1972 and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education. This federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. Big Bend Community College is one of those recipients.
“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.

Why is Title IX Important?

Title IX helps to foster safe and respectful college environments that better protect students, faculty, and staff from incidents of sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual violence, relationship violence, and abuse.
The safety of our students, staff, faculty, and visitors is our highest priority. Big Bend Community College offers campus community professional staff, resources, training, and policies that help ensure a safe environment on and off campus. With these people, tools, and means in place, we are confident we have created a college in which people can learn and work at their best.

Title IX Policies & Procedures:

Title IX Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Students and Employees

Reporting:

  1. File a report online
  2. File a written complaint
  3. Contact the BBCC Title IX Coordinator:

Kim Garza
Vice President of Human Resources & Labor
Title IX/EO/Section 504 Coordinator
7662 Chanute Street, NE
Building 1400, Second Floor, Room 1449
Moses Lake, WA  98837
Phone:  509-793-2010
Email:  kimg@bigbend.edu

 

Confidential Support Contacts

Jaime Garza
BBCC Counselor
Phone:  509-793-2030
Email:  jaimega@bigbend.edu

Heidi Gephart
BBCC Counselor
Phone:  509-793-2029
Email:  heidig@bigbend.edu

MariAnne Zavala-Lopez
BBCC Counselor
Phone:  509-793-2028
Email:  mariannez@bigbend.edu

 

Off-Campus Resources

What Happens After a Report is Made?

  • Confidentiality and privacy maintained to the extent possible.
  • Access to resources provided to both the complainant and respondent.
  • Supportive measures provided to the complainant and respondent.
  • Equitable, impartial, and timely process provided throughout.
  • Retaliation is not tolerated.

Program/Department Contact

kimg@bigbend.edu

(509) 793-2010

Building 1400

Room 1449