The Dignity of the Human Person

TITLE IX COMPLIANCE AND RELATED POLICIES

As a Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine community, the University of Mary is wholly committed to upholding and defending the dignity of every human person as created in the image and likeness of God. Those who experience unfair treatment or unjust discrimination within the community of the University of Mary are especially worthy of the University’s care and concern.

In accord with its mission, the University of Mary also upholds and enforces applicable requirements of civil law.

Policies and procedures are in place whereby those claiming wrongdoing can bring information forward and those accused of wrongdoing are able to respond.

Gathered below is important information regarding:

  1. Title IX (which deals with instances of sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual violence),
  2. The Conduct Grievance Board (which considers other serious grievances),
  3. Fair Treatment Policy and Procedures for Students of the University,
  4. Fair Treatment Policy and Procedures for Employees of the University,
  5. Catholic Social Teaching & Racism
  6. Accessibility Services - ADA
  7. A Compendium of Policies Regarding the Dignity of the Human Person
  8. Forms for Filing a Report of Misconduct

THE BASICS

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) prohibits sex discrimination of students and employees of educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance. In compliance with Title IX, the University of Mary prohibits sex discrimination in all programs, activities, and employment.

"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." 20 U.S.C. § 1681

The University of Mary’s full Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy, Grievance Procedure, and Process can be found here.

Title IX applies to every aspect of federally funded education programs. Areas covered by Title IX include access to higher education, admissions, athletics, career education, education for pregnant and parenting students, employment, learning environment, math and science, sexual harassment, standardized testing, and technology.

TITLE IX APPLIES TO ALL PROGRAMS

Title IX applies to every aspect of federally funded education programs. Areas covered by Title IX include access to higher education, admissions, athletics, career education, education for pregnant and parenting students, employment, learning environment, math and science, sexual harassment, standardized testing, and technology.

Additional information about Title IX and athletics can be found at the NCAA Title IX Resources Page.

TITLE IX PROHIBITS SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment, which includes sexual assault and sexual violence.

TITLE IX APPLIES TO EVERYONE

Title IX protects the rights of men as well as the rights of women. Title IX requires that men and women receive fair and equal treatment in all areas of education.

RETALIATION PROHIBITED BY TITLE IX

Title IX protects those who report misconduct from retaliation. The reporting of discrimination is important to Title IX enforcement and would be discouraged if retaliation against those who report it went unaddressed.

FILING A REPORT

The University of Mary maintains an online reporting system for misconduct under Title IX. See “Online Forms for Filing a Report of Misconduct,” below.

TITLE IX ENFORCEMENT

The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is charged with comprehensive higher education enforcement of Title IX. Information can be found here.

Further inquiries regarding Title IX may be directed to:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education (Chicago Office)
Citigroup Center
500 W. Madison St., Suite 1475
Chicago, Il 60661-7204
Telephone: (312) 730-1560
Fax: (312) 730-1576
Email: [email protected]

 The purpose of the Conduct Grievance Board is to oversee the investigation and resolution of all formal complaints alleging misconduct as identified in any of the following University of Mary policies, which may be found in full below under "University Policies Regarding the Dignity of the Human Person”:

  • Discrimination and Harassment Policy
  • Hazing Policy
  • Retaliation Policy
  • Sexual Misconduct Policy (sexual misconduct which may not fall under Title IX)

The University of Mary maintains an online reporting system for misconduct under the jurisdiction of the Conduct Grievance Board. See “Online Forms for Filing a Report of Misconduct,” below.

A full description of the process and procedures of the Conduct Grievance Board can be found here.

Any student of the University of Mary who believes that he or she has been unjustly treated is encouraged to seek resolution of the issue through policies and procedures established by the University for that purpose. Please see the compendium of University policies regarding the dignity of the human person, below. The Student Handbook also has a helpful section on student grievances and appeals.

All other complaints, disputes, and differences of opinion are dealt with through a process outlined in the Fair Treatment Policy for Students, which can be found here.

Employees of the University assisting students under the “Fair Treatment Policy for Students” are reminded of their obligation to file a Student Grievance Report with the Office of Student Development and to keep pending information about the grievance updated with the Office of Student Development throughout the process.

Any employee of the University of Mary who believes that he or she has been unjustly treated is encouraged to seek resolution of the issue through policies and procedures established by the University for that purpose. Please see the compendium of University policies regarding the dignity of the human person, below.

All other complaints, disputes, and differences of opinion are dealt with through a process outlined in the Fair Treatment Policy for Employees, which can be found here.

Employees always have recourse to the Department of Human Resources for assistance with workplace issues:

Director of Human Resources
Benedictine Center for Servant Leadership, Room L210
7500 University Drive
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 355-8245

As a Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine community, the University of Mary is wholly committed to upholding and defending the dignity of every human person as created in the image and likeness of God. Those who experience unfair treatment or unjust discrimination within the community of the University of Mary are especially worthy of the University’s care and concern.

In confronting racial discrimination or racial theory and ideology, the University of Mary consciously draws upon resources deeper and more enduring than contemporary identity politics. Consideration of racism is grounded in fundamental beliefs rooted in the University’s mission:

  • the equal dignity of all human persons, created in God’s image;
  • the universal brotherhood/sisterhood of the human race; and
  • Christ’s redemption of all.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church spells this out:

The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it: “Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design” (¶1935, quoting Gaudium et spes 29§2).

 
The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, further notes that “any theory or form whatsoever of racism and racial discrimination is morally unacceptable” (¶433). And the Catholic bishops of our country have noted that “racism is not merely one sin among many, it is a radical evil dividing the human family” (Brothers and Sisters to Us, ¶39).

Furthermore, the University of Mary embraces the 2018 pastoral letter of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) against racism: Open Wide Our Hearts: the Enduring Call to Love. Indeed, the University was in communication with the USCCB during the drafting of this document, and a member of the University’s Board of Trustees was involved with preparing and presenting the draft to the USCCB for its adoption and publication.

The University of Mary’s position on racial discrimination is thus rooted in and based upon this broader teaching of the Christian, Catholic community rather than any institutional statement or declaration that could be made about this critical issue, including isolated commentary regarding current events or instances of social unrest. The University’s institutional instinct and responsibility is to uphold this teaching in its integrity on our campuses and throughout our surrounding communities, to provide meaningful and effective venues for education and dialogue about human equality and dignity, and to firmly and fairly address concrete instances of racism within the university community.

To that end, policies and procedures are in place under the University’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy, Fair Treatment Policy for Students, and Fair Treatment Policy for Employees whereby those who believe they have experienced racial discrimination at the University of Mary may manifest concerns or submit a grievance.

The University of Mary also maintains a standing Task Force for Catholic Social Teaching, Diversity, and Inclusion, chaired by a member of the University’s Board of Regents.  This task force plans and coordinates educational programming, conducts and analyzes campus climate surveys, and sponsors events in celebration of human life and dignity.  The task force can be reached by writing to [email protected].

Accessibility Services - ADA

"In an ordered and productive community, it is a fundamental principle that every human being is a 'person' . . . having rights and duties . . . flowing directly and spontaneously from one’s very nature. These rights are therefore universal, inviolable and inalienable."
– Pope St. John XXIII,  Pacem in Terris

The unshakable dignity of every human person innately pours forth from the fundamental truth that all persons are made in the image and likeness of God.  A Catholic university has a particular responsibility to uphold the dignity of all those with disabilities, who are often invisibly ostracized and made to feel less dignified because of their disability.  In imitation of Jesus, who dedicated much of His ministry to the disabled and the poor, we should give preferential care to those in our community with special needs.

Student Accessibility Services ensures equal access for students with disabilities to fully participate in the University’s programs and services. For more information or for further assistance, visit www.umary.edu/accessibility  or call 701-355-8264. Student Accessibility Services is located within the Student Success Center on the lower level of Welder Library on the Main Campus.

The University warmly welcomes applications for admission from qualified persons with disabilities in all of our academic programs. To apply or for further information related to the admission process please contact University of Mary Admissions at 701-355-8210.


Finally, the University provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons with disabilities and strives to offer strong support and an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement to employees who have documented special needs or accommodations. For more information, contact the Office of Human Resources at 701-355-8245.

The following forms may be used to file reports of misconduct prohibited under university policy.