“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 (20 U.S.C. § 1681)

What is...

Title IX
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Misconduct

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex (gender) in educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment, which includes sexual assault and violence. Programs and activities which may be included are: admissions, recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, athletics, housing, and employment. Title IX also protects students from unlawful sexual harassment in school programs and activities.

Sexual Misconduct Policies, Prevention and Resources

Sexual misconduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at McMurry University. The University is committed to providing an environment free of gender discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, relationship (dating and domestic) violence, and stalking. The University provides resources and reporting options to students, faculty, and staff to address concerns related to sexual harassment and sexual violence prohibited by Title IX and University policy. (See the McMurry Sexual Misconduct Policy, found in the Employee Handbook and the Student Handbook.)

Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Title IX Coordinators at McMurry University

McMurry University has designated Josh Jones to serve as its Title IX Coordinator. The University has also designated Caroline Cleveland, Head Volleyball Coach and Senior Woman’s Administrator, and Mr. Mike Johnston, Director of Human Resources & Compliance, to serve as Deputy Title IX Coordinators. They have been tasked with monitoring compliance with Title IX and addressing concerns and complaints related to Title IX. They are responsible for receiving and investigating complaints of sexual harassment, including sexual assault and sexual violence.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, for example:

  • Sexual assault, rape, stalking, or relationship violence.
  • Threats or insinuations that a person’s status or other condition may be either adversely affected by not submitting to a sexual advance or positively affected by submitting to a sexual advance.
  • Unwelcomed verbal expressions of a sexual nature, including graphic sexual commentaries about a person’s body, dress, appearance, or sexual activities; the unwelcomed use of sexually suggestive or insulting sounds or whistles; and obscene phone calls.
  • Sexually suggestive objects, pictures, videotapes, audio recordings, or literature, placed in the work or study area, may embarrass or offend individuals. Such material should be clearly and significantly related to academic purposes if used in an educational setting.
  • Suggestive or sexually explicit posters, calendars, photographs, graffiti, or cartoons, including those distributed electronically.
  • Offensive letters, emails, text messages, posts on social networking sites, internet images or transmissions, or voicemail messages.

WHAT IF I’M NOT SURE IF MY EXPERIENCE CONSTITUTES HARASSMENT:

Students who, in good faith, report what they believe to be sexual harassment or who cooperate in any investigation will not be subjected to retaliation. Any student who believes they have been the victim of retaliation for reporting sexual harassment or cooperating in an investigation should immediately contact McMurry’s Title IX Coordinator or the Deputy Title IX Coordinators.

DATING VIOLENCE: Violence committed by a per-son who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship shall be deter-mined based on a consideration of the following fac-tors: length of the relationship, the type of relation-ship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse of the victim, or by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, or by a person who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, or by a person similarly situated to a spouse of a victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grand monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.

STALKING: A pattern of threatening conduct that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her own safety; the safety of a family member; the protection of someone the person is dating; or the safety of property belonging to any of those persons. Stalking violates the university’s code of conduct and is a felony under Texas law. Stalking may also be a form of sexual harassment when it occurs on campus or when students experience its continuing effects in the educational setting. Stalking is not limited to, but can include the following:

  • Damaging or threatening to damage property
  • Using the internet, social media, or other methods to post information, harass, or spread rumors
  • Repeatedly sending unwanted and intrusive emails, phone calls, or texts
  • Continuously and deliberately appearing at an individual’s home, school, place of employment, business, or any other location to maintain visual or physical proximity
  • Other actions that control, track, or frighten an individual
Compliance

Policies & Resources

McMurry University is dedicated to preventing and addressing sexual misconduct while fostering a safe, supportive learning environment built on respect and responsible behavior. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to: sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation. Such behavior will not be tolerated within our University community.

If you have experienced any form of sexual misconduct, please remember—you are not alone. McMurry University and community partners offer a range of supportive resources, including 24-hour emergency response, medical care, and confidential counseling. You have the right to choose the resources and services that feel most comfortable for you.

 Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy Sexual Abuse & Child Molestation Prevention

McMurry University is committed to maintaining a supportive learning, living, and working environment for members of the campus community who are pregnant or parenting. The University provides supportive resources, accommodations, and assistance to help ensure students and employees can continue to participate fully in academic and workplace activities without discrimination or harassment.

Who Should I Contact for Assistance?

If you have questions or need support related to pregnancy or parenting, please get in touch with the appropriate office below.

Employees
Contact the Human Resources Office
Phone: 325-793-4998 or 325-793-3820

Students
Contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services
Phone: 325-793-4880

What Type of Assistance Is Available?

Employees
Employees who need accommodations due to medical conditions or pregnancy-related conditions may receive assistance from the Human Resources Office.

Students
Students who need academic accommodations due to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions may receive assistance through the Office of Student Accessibility Services.

Both students and employees may also access additional supportive resources related to pregnancy and parenting, including community-based services.

Community Resources

The following organizations provide support services and resources in the Abilene area:

Reporting Concerns

Individuals who believe they have experienced harassment or discrimination based on pregnancy or parenting status should contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator.

Title IX Coordinator
Kelly Gallagher
Phone: 325-793-4990
Email: gallagher.kelly@mcm.edu

McMurry University is committed to ensuring that pregnant and parenting members of the community are supported and able to participate fully in University programs and activities.

McMurry University provides Title IX training materials and educational resources for coordinators, investigators, faculty, staff, and Title IX team members. These resources include recorded trainings, guidance documents, and learning modules that address topics such as investigative procedures, trauma-informed responses, hearing processes, and compliance with Title IX regulations.

The materials support ongoing education and help ensure that University personnel are prepared to respond appropriately to reports of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and related concerns.

 Title IX Training Resources

In accordance with the Texas Education Code (TEC), Section 51.253(c), the institution’s Chief Executive Officer must submit a report at least once each fall or spring semester to the governing body. This report must also be published on the University’s website.

The report summarizes incidents reported by employees under TEC Section 51.252, including whether the reported conduct constitutes sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking, as defined in TEC Section 51.251. It outlines any disciplinary actions taken under TEC Section 51.255.

Previous Reports

 2023-2024 Academic Year

University Contacts

Rev.
Ricky Harrison Dean of Students and University Chaplain
Dr.
Marcia Straughn Dean and Professor of Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing
Mr.
Mike Johnston Director of Human Resources & Compliance / Chief of Staff
Human Resources
Caroline Cleveland Head Volleyball Coach
Athletics

OCR Contacts

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is the division of the federal government charged with enforcing compliance with Title IX.

The OCR Office for Texas is located at:

Dallas Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620
Dallas, Texas 75201-6810

Telephone: 214-661-9600
FAX: 214-661-9587;
TDD: 800-877-8339
Email:  OCR.Dallas@ed.gov
More Information