Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is committed to maintaining a living, learning, and working environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive – including prohibited discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. The purpose of this policy is to: 

1. familiarize all CalArts community members with the definition of prohibited discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct and the various forms it can take;
2. make explicit that prohibited discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated;
3. identify the Institute’s Title IX response team and outline how CalArts will respond to allegations of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct;
4. inform complainants of the resources, remedies, and possible courses of action available to them when they report prohibited discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct; and
5. clarify the rights and responsibilities of those accused of committing such acts. 

These policies apply to all CalArts students, staff, administrators, faculty (including special and adjunct faculty), program participants, and visitors with respect to CalArts activities and programs occurring both on and off campus. Persons who are not CalArts employees, but perform work at CalArts for its benefit (such as trustees, visiting artists, volunteers, contractors, vendors, and temporary workers) or are applicants for admission or employment at CalArts, are also protected and required to abide by this policy. By extension, this policy also applies to all of CalArts affiliated off-campus sites, including, but not limited to, Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), Community Arts Partnership (CAP), and off-campus study sites. CalArts also has jurisdiction over alleged harassment and misconduct occurring anywhere (e.g., on or off campus) and at any time (e.g., while classes are in or out of session, during breaks, between semesters) if the complainant(s) and respondent(s) are CalArts students and if the alleged misconduct is likely to have a substantial effect on campus or academic life and activities, or if the incident poses a threat of danger to any member of the CalArts community.

1. Alleged Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment or Sexual Misconduct that occurred on or after August 14, 2020 will be addressed by the CalArts CA Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy and Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Resolution Process and Procedures or CalArts Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy as applicable.

   1. California Senate Bill 493 and Policy updates

2. Alleged Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment or Sexual Misconduct that occurred prior to August 14, 2020 will be addressed with the Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy.

3. Alleged Discrimination or Harassment based on protected class or status will be addressed by the Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy.

CalArts community members have access to a variety of resources provided by the Institute. All of the staff members listed below are trained to support individuals affected by alleged sexual harassment or sexual misconduct and to coordinate with the Title IX Coordinator consistent with the CalArts’ commitment to a safe and healthy living, learning, and working environment. While not bound by confidentiality, these resources will maintain the privacy of an individual’s information within the limited circle of those involved in the Title IX resolution process.

Title IX Response Team

The Title IX Coordinators are available to receive reports of sex discrimination at CalArts (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating and domestic violence, and stalking), as well as to discuss questions or concerns relating to the investigation of complaints received, reporting and complaint procedures, and education and training opportunities across campus.

Dionne Simmons
Title IX Coordinator and Director, Community Rights and Responsibilities
Chouinard 113 / (661) 291-3019
titleix@calarts.edu
dsimmons@calarts.edu

For individuals who are not prepared to make a report but are still seeking information and support, there are several statutorily-protected confidential resources available, as designated below. These confidential resources will not share information with the Institute without the individual’s consent.

Confidential Student Advocate

Elizabeth Peisner, Associate Vice President of Student Experience - Health and Wellness
epeisner@calarts.edu
Room F201H
(661) 713-5325

Psychological Therapists

Melissa Shepherd-Williams, MFT
Lily Rodriguez, LMFT
Susan Perry, MFT
Room F201H
(661) 388-5306
Teletherapy Counseling Confidential Intake Form

Student Health Center

Room D208
(661) 253-7830

• Employee Assistance Program (for staff and faculty)
  Anthem Insurance Companies
  (800) 999-7222 toll free number
  CalArts has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides professional counseling, information and referral services to eligible employees and their spouse, domestic partner, and/or dependent children. The program offers confidential consultation on a wide variety of personal, family, or work-related problems.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
  (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
  http://www.thehotline.org
• Rape Treatment Center
  Santa Monica – UCLA Medical Center
  1250 Sixteenth Street
  Santa Monica, California 90404
  (310) 319-4000
  http://www.911rape.org
• RAINN-Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network
  (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
  http://online.rainn.org
• Strength United (formerly Valley Trauma Center)
  25115 Ave. Stanford #B-122, Santa Clarita, CA  91355
  (661) 702-0000
  http://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/strength-united

Students, faculty, and staff wishing to seek additional confidential off-campus resources may visit with any medical and licensed mental health professional, or trained sexual violence advocates, as they have statutorily protected confidentiality and may only disclose information with your permission. The Vice President for Student Experience, Chief Human Resources Officer, and/or the Associate Provost may provide additional assistance in finding additional resources.

Campus Safety Department
Room D100
(661) 222-2702

This policy is currently in effect as written, and will be reviewed and revised, as needed, on an annual basis.

Revised Date: Sep 2019

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