Title IX
If you would like to submit a report regarding alleged sexual harassment, please report the incident using the link to the report form below.
IMPORTANT: If there is an immediate risk or threat, please contact Campus Security at (808) 689-2911, before filing a Title IX incident report.
About
The University of Hawai’i–West Oʻahu strives to provide an environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community and that is free from harassment and discrimination.
UH West Oʻahu is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, domestic violence, marital status, arrest and court record, and veteran status. (See the University of Hawai’i Statement of Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy EP 1.202).
On August 1, 2024, the UH System adopted the interim version of EP 1.204. Therefore, the grievance policy and procedure that UH West Oʻahu will use to address any allegations of sex discrimination and gender-based violence involving students, employees and/or visitors or third parties at UH West Oʻahu will be in accordance with the new Interim Executive Policy 1.204, Policy on on Sex Discrimination and the accompanying process will be Administrative Procedure AP 1.204, Interim Administrative Complaint Procedures. Policies and procedures addressing allegations of sex or gender-based discrimination and/or retaliation are consistent with state and federal law.
Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to: Sex-Based Harassment; Sexual Exploitation; Sex Discrimination; including harassment based on actual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Sexual Assault; Domestic Violence; Dating Violence; and Sex-Based Stalking.
Contact Information
We are taking appointments either by Zoom or in-person meetings.
We highly encourage the UH West Oʻahu community to report behavior that may be considered sex discrimination, gender-based violence, and retaliation.
If an individual is not sure as to whether or not they would like to file a formal complaint, they may meet with the campus’ Confidential Employee using the information listed below. Information shared with the Confidential Employee will not be shared with the campus Title IX Coordinator.
Campus Title IX Coordinator:
For sex/gender based discrimination (Title IX) complaints or reports involving a UH West Oʻahu student or employee, you may contact:
Bev Baligad, J.D.
Title IX Coordinator (T9C)
bbaligad@hawaii.edu
(808) 689-2934
Other UH West Oʻahu Title IX Core Team Members
Celia Remillard
Deputy Employee Title IX Coordinator (DET9C) [Investigator/Informal Resolution Officer]
cremilla@hawaii.edu
(808) 689-2521
Trudy Asato
Deputy Student Title IX Coordinator (DST9C) [Investigator/Informal Resolution Officer]
tasato7@hawaii.edu
(808) 689-2936
Confidential Employee
UH West Oʻahu’s designated confidential employee is a clinical psychologist. Information provided to the confidential employee will not be provided to the Title IX Coordinator.
Dr. Steven Taketa
UH West Oʻahu Clinical Psychologist
B-216 in the Library Building
taketas@hawaii.edu
(808) 689-2975
Other Resource
Confidential Advocate (Complainant/Victim Resources)
If you need a confidential advocate, please contact the Office of Equity Assurance. For additional information please visit their webpage.
The UH Confidential Advocate provides direct support services, crisis response, and case management to students and employees who may be experiencing gender-based discrimination, sexual or gender-based harassment, dating and domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. The UH Confidential Advocate is available at all campuses on Oʻahu: Kapiʻolani CC, Leeward CC (Pearl City/Puʻuloa and Waiʻanae Moku), Honolulu CC, Windward CC, UH Mānoa, and UH West Oʻahu. Confidential services include case consultation, risk assessment, safety planning, review of all reporting options, and case referrals. In-person office hours are to be determined each semester per campus. Please reach out via phone, text message, or email to schedule a meeting.
If applicable, and as defined under Victim-Counselor Privilege (Rule 505.5, Hawaii Rules of Evidence), “confidential” communications, regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual harassment, or child abuse, between a “victim” and a “victim counselor” (including a “confidential advocate”) are considered privileged. All other communications with a Confidential Employee will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law.
LGBTQ+
The UH System, along with the UH West Oʻahu, is committed to building an inclusive community that supports and advocates for all students. We welcome all members of our campus community to our campuses: transgender persons, māhū, and people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
All members of our campus community deserve a work and educational environment free from harassment or bullying based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Pregnancy
A key change in the new 2024 regulations is the inclusion of specific steps educational institutions must take with the aim of eliminating discrimination against pregnant and parenting students. The regulations state that educational institutions “must not adopt or implement any policy, practice, or procedure concerning a student’s current, potential, or past parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently on the basis of sex.” Universities must not discriminate against any student in its education program or activity based on the student’s current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions.
In addition, it covers pregnancy or related conditions such as:
- Pregnancy;
- Childbirth;
- Termination of pregnancy;
- Lactation; and
- Recovery from conditions and medical treatment related to those conditions.
Title IX Rights
The following is a summary of the rights of employees and students who are identified as either complainants or respondents engaged in the Title IX process.
If you are an individual with a disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation throughout the Title IX process. Visit our Disability Services website for more information.
If you believe you have been the victim of sex discrimination, sex-based harassment, sexual violence (including sexual assault and dating or domestic violence) and/or sex-based stalking, you have the right to file a formal complaint with the UH West Oʻahu Title IX Coordinator. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator at bbaligad@hawaii.edu.
You have the right to request supportive measures. Supportive measures are individualized measures offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, without unreasonably burdening a Complainant or Respondent, not for punitive or disciplinary reasons, and without fee or charge to the Complainant or Respondent.
Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the University’s educational programs and/or activities without unreasonably burdening the other party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the University’s educational environment, or deter sex discrimination. Also, to provide support during the administrative complaint procedure or during an Informal Resolution process.
You have the right to know the name and contact information of the Title IX Investigator(s) assigned to your case.
You have the right to written notifications of the allegations of sexual harassment alleged in formal complaint, including the specific provisions of the UH System’s EP 1.204: Interim Policy on Sex Discrimination and/or any other alleged policy violations including the Student Code of Conduct.
You have the right to request privacy. The University will balance this request with its responsibility to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for all community members including the reporter and UH West Oʻahu’s ability to conduct a fair and impartial investigation.
You have the right to speak with the Title IX Coordinator directly at any time during the investigation if you have questions about UH System’s EP 1.204: Interim Policy on Sex Discrimination.
You have the right to not participate in any portion of the Title IX process. If you do not wish to participate, your decision will not stop the institution from continuing the investigation when necessary.
You have the right to be protected against retaliation. The Sex Discrimination Policy prohibits retaliation against any person filing a complaint or report alleging sex discrimination, or against any person cooperating in the fact-finding of (including providing information as a witness) any allegation of sex discrimination. For these purposes, “retaliation” includes, but is not limited to, intimidation, threats, harassment, and other adverse action threatened or taken against any such reporter, Complainant, or witness.
You have the right to submit the names of any relevant witnesses and documentary evidence to the assigned Title IX Investigator(s).
You have the right to be notified in writing, about the outcome of the complaint and any rights to appeal, as well as the process and timeframes to submit any appeals.
Title IX Trainings & Resources
In accordance with the new Title IX regulations published on April 29, 2024 [34 CFR Part 106, et seq.] the following training/materials were used to provide foundational information and to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers and individuals who assist with the Informal Resolution process on the basics of Title IX.
In case of emergency, call 911 or Dial 2911 (808) 689-2911for Campus Security