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California Institute of the Arts

Sexual Respect

Student Services

CalArts is committed to treating all members of the community with dignity, empathy, and respect. 

Any individual who is affected by discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct—whether as a complainant, a respondent, or a third party—will have equal access to support and counseling services through the Institute.

Reporting options: How do I report an incident? Is it confidential?

Getting help: What to do if I experience sexual assault?

Federal (Title IX), state, and Institute policies

Have a question? Check out the list below for a few of the most common inquiries.

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits excluding an individual from participating in educational programs and activities based on that person’s sex, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation. Sexual and gender-based harassment (including sexual assault and rape) are forms of such discrimination.

For more information, visit the Office for Civil Rights’ Know your IX.

Dionne Simmons
Title IX Coordinator and Director, Community Rights and Responsibilities
Chouinard 113  

661-291-3019
titleix@calarts.edu
dsimmons@calarts.edu

What is the sexual respect committee?

At any time, community members can reach the CalArts Sexual Respect Committee at sexualrespect@calarts.edu if they have experiences, thoughts, or other input that need to be shared right away. This email address is meant to allow the community to contribute ideas, share thoughts, and communicate during this process.

**The information shared via this address will be kept private to the extent possible and used specifically for the work of the committee.**

What is the California Senate Bill 493?

California SB 493 is a law that applies to all higher education institutions in California that receive state funding. This law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. While the law echoes many Title IX and Clery Act/VAWA § 304 requirements, it also guarantees students additional civil rights protections, some of which create direct conflict with provisions codified in the 2020 Title IX regulations (34 CFR § 106).

Click to read more about the California Senate Bill 493 and Required Policy Updates. 

Annual report on sexual respect

This report details the CalArts community’s efforts to strengthen our climate of sexual respect and the prevention of harassment. It is the first in what will become a yearly chronicle of our work in this area, and will include a look ahead to next steps. Importantly, it represents CalArts’ pledge to openness, to accountability and to care for one another.

Annual Report 2023

Annual Report 2022

Annual Report 2021

CalArts prevents sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment through a holistic approach that emphasizes training and support.

References here invoking Title IX refer to the civil rights law that bans sex-based discrimination—including sexual harassment—in schools that receive federal support.

References here invoking CA Sexual Harassment refer to California Senate Bill 493 that bans sex-based discrimination—including sexual harassment—in schools that receive state support.  Among the steps that CalArts undertakes:

  • Training for all new and returning students on consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention
  • Specific programming designed for residence halls
  • Training for all administrators, faculty, and staff 
  • Tailored training for staff involved in facilitating grievance processes under Title IX and institutional policies
  • Supportive measures to ensure student safety and security, no matter whether a formal investigation is underway 

Detailed materials on this website are designed to educate, raise awareness, and encourage the CalArts community to use the resources available through the Institute.

Contact us

The Title IX coordinator oversees the implementation of the policies prohibiting sexual misconduct, sex discrimination, and retaliation. The Title IX coordinator has the primary responsibility for coordinating the Institute’s efforts related to the intake, investigation, resolution, and implementation of supportive measures, to stop, remediate, and prevent discrimination, harassment, and retaliation prohibited under Institute policies.

In addition, the Title IX coordinator provides training related to prevention, education, communication, and administration of complaint procedures for students, faculty, staff, and other members of the CalArts community. Individuals who participate in CalArts education programs and activities with questions, concerns, or complaints are encouraged to contact the Title IX coordinator.