Filing a Complaint

Who can file a complaint? And how?

Any person, including students and employees, may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, to the school (via online form) or directly to the Title IX Coordinator (via email or phone message), regardless of whether the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment.

At Compass, the Title IX Coordinator is Julie Thomerson, who can be reached by phone at 303-420-8288 or email at [email protected].

You can also make a complaint via the online Complaint Form. https://forms.gle/1WKdBHHaMcsTE1mKA

How does Compass respond to a report?

Upon receiving any report of sexual harassment in an education program or activity, the Title IX Coordinator will contact the complainant (the individual alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment) to discuss the availability of supportive measures and explain the process for filing a formal complaint of sexual harassment.

Compass can offer supportive measures at any point in the process, such as counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of work or class schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, changes in work or housing locations, leaves of absence, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus, and other similar measures. Supportive measures must remain confidential, unless it impairs the ability to provide them.

The Title IX Coordinator will also contact the respondent (individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute sexual harassment) to discuss the allegations, any supportive measures and the respondent's rights during the process.

If, after an individualized safety and risk analysis, there is an immediate threat to the physical health or safety of any individual arising from the allegations, Compass may take steps to remove a respondent from the education program or activity on an emergency basis, as long as there is notice and a chance to respond immediately following removal.

What is a formal complaint of sexual harassment?
Either a complainant or the Title IX Coordinator can file a formal complaint alleging sexual harassment against a respondent.

To qualify as a formal complaint, the document must be filed by a complainant (a document or electronic submission that contains the complainant’s physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicates that the complainant is the person filing the formal complaint) or signed by the Title IX Coordinator. The document must allege sexual harassment against a respondent and request that Compass investigate the allegation of sexual harassment.

At the time of filing a formal complaint, a complainant must be participating in or attempting to participate in a Compass education program or activity.

How does Compass respond to formal complaints of sexual harassment?
All formal complaints of sexual harassment trigger a grievance process to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual harassment, but there is a different, unique process for allegations of sexual harassment as defined by Title IX (See "What is Title IX").

Once the initial complaint is received, the Title IX Coordinator will quickly assess the situation, take any emergency measure necessary and decide if Title IX applies.

If Title IX applies to the initial complaint, a formal complaint may be filed by the complainant or the Title IX coordinator and Compass will follow a different, unique grievance process. (See "What is the Process")

If the allegation does not meet the requirements of Title IX, Compass will follow its standard investigation policies and procedures.