Sexual discrimination includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking. We adhere to all federal and state civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. 

Hope College affirms the dignity of all persons as made in the image of God. Hope College is committed to being a welcoming, vibrant and caring academic community where academic excellence and the pursuit of knowledge are strengthened by our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and grounded in the historic Christian faith, where the full humanity of all may flourish in an environment in which there is room for different perspectives that bring people together. It is the policy of Hope College not to discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, familial status, genetic information, height, national origin, race, religion (except in the event of a bona fide occupational qualification), sex (including gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation), theological perspectives (e.g., conservative, progressive, traditional), veteran status, weight or any other legally protected attribute, status or characteristic.

Our commitment to an equitable and inclusive place of learning, living, and working together, and to prevent discrimination and harassment, is the responsibility of all members of the Hope community.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads:

“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

Title IX Coordinator

• 

  Taylor Sinclair Title IX and Equal OpportunitySenior Director of Title IX and Equal Opportunity

  Work616.395.6816

  sinclair@hope.edu

  Anderson-Werkman Center Suite 251 100 East 8th Street Holland, MI 49423

Investigator

• Read More

  Jill WhitcombView Jill Whitcomb's Profile Title IX and Equal OpportunityInvestigator

  Work616.395.6749

  whitcomb@hope.edu

  Anderson-Werkman Center Suite 251 100 East 8th Street Holland, MI 49423

See the information below for reporting options and considerations.

TITLE IX COORDINATOR

Taylor Sinclair serves as the Senior Director for Equity and Compliance and is the designated Title IX Coordinator and ADA/Section 504 Coordinator. She is responsible for overseeing and monitoring all Title IX compliance at Hope College. She acts with independence and authority free of conflicts of interest. Victims/survivors of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct may choose to file a grievance based on campus policy through the online reporting form or by contacting Taylor Sinclair.

CAMPUS SAFETY

Reports can be made to Campus Safety 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 616.395.7770. Staff will assist you with immediate needs and safety concerns while also providing you with options for seeking medical assistance and/or reporting to law enforcement. Campus Safety staff are mandatory reporters, so reports filed with them will be shared with the Title IX coordinator.

Campus Safety staff will do everything in their ability to respect the wishes of the victim regarding next steps. However, if they determine a potential on-going or immediate risk either to the victim or to others on campus, they will contact Holland Police and will provide a Timely Warning Notice to the campus community. (In the case of a timely warning, the identity of the victim will remain confidential.)

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Victims may wish to file criminal charges in addition to or instead of filing a report on campus.  

• Call 911 for immediate response
• Call 800.249,0911 for non-emergency central dispatch to file a report about an incident that occurred in Holland (or another part of Ottawa County)
• Call .269.673.3899 to file a report about an incident that occurred in Allegan County

More information can be found online through the Ottawa County Victim Assistance Unit

CONFIDENTIAL REPORTING ON CAMPUS

The following on-campus staff have been designated as confidential resources, meaning they are not required to report actual or suspected discrimination or harassment to appropriate college officials – thereby offering options and advice without any obligation to inform an outside agency or campus official unless a reporting party has requested information to be shared.

• Campus Ministries staff
• Counseling and Psychological Services staff
• Health Center staff
• Victim Advocate, Kelsey Colburn

CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCES OFF CAMPUS

Resilience

• 24-Hour crisis line: 616-392-1970
• Information line: 616-392-2829

Holland Hospital Emergency Department

604 Michigan Ave.
Holland, MI49423

Other confidential resources

• Local or state assistance agencies
• Licensed professional counselors
• Clergy/chaplains

COLLEGE EMPLOYEES/RESIDENCE LIFE STAFF

All Hope College employees (faculty, staff, administrators and Residential Life student staff) are expected to report actual or suspected discrimination or harassment to appropriate officials (the Title IX Office or Campus Safety) immediately. A few select employees are considered "confidential resources," and they are not required to submit a report. This includes Counseling and Psychological Services staff, chaplains from Campus Ministries and our campus Victim Advocate. In order to make informed choices, it is important students are aware of these mandatory reporting requirements when consulting campus resources.

OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

Inquiries may be made externally to:

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Customer service hotline: (800) 421-3481
Fax: 202.453.6012
TDD: 877.521.2172
OCR@ed.gov

The local Office of Civil Rights can be contacted at:

Office for Civil Rights (Cleveland Office)

U.S. Department of Education
1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 325
Cleveland, OH 44115-1812
216-522-4970

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

http://www.eeoc.gov/contact/