Office of Title IX & Equal Opportunity
Notice of Non-Discrimination
In accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) is committed to ensuring a campus community free from unlawful discrimination. WesternU strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination in all its programs, activities, admissions, and employment. This policy applies to all aspects of the university, including education programs, employment, admissions, and any other WesternU activities.
WesternU prohibits discrimination based on the following characteristics:
- Race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles)
- Ethnicity, Color, and National Origin
- Immigration Status and Ancestry
- Sex, Gender, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression
- Sexual Orientation
- Physical or Mental Disability
- Age
- Religion (including religious dress and grooming practices)
- Medical Condition and Genetic Information
- Marital Status
- Pregnancy (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions)
- Military or Veteran Status
- Perceived Characteristics – Discrimination is prohibited if an individual is perceived to have any of the above characteristics.
- Association with Protected Groups – Discrimination based on association with a person or group with one or more protected characteristics is also prohibited.
- Other Legally Protected Classes – WesternU complies with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances regarding discrimination.
The policy prohibits
- discrimination based on sex, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, and sexual orientation
- sexual violence
- sexual harassment
- retaliation
WesternU is committed to providing an inclusive and equitable environment free from unlawful discrimination or harassment in all aspects of university life.
WesternU protects individuals against retaliation for exercising their rights under WesternU policy or law; reporting information or filing a good-faith complaint; for testifying, assisting, or participating in an investigation or resolution process or for refusing to participate in any manner in an investigation or Resolution Process under this Policy and Procedure.
Any student or employee who violates this policy, including its protections against retaliation may be subject to discipline.
WesternU will promptly and effectively address any such discrimination of which it has Knowledge/Notice using the resolution process in this policy.
WesternU has designated the Associate Vice President for the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity Compliance Initiatives (OTIXEO) to coordinate WesternU’s compliance with federal and state civil rights laws regarding protected characteristics. Inquiries about Western’s prohibitions against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation can be directed to Associate Vice President (AVP) for the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity Compliance Initiatives (OTIXEO) or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.
Welcome to the Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) website on Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation and Title IX and its policy and procedures.
In this site you will find information related to WesternU’s programs and services to ensure members of the WesternU community, its students, faculty, and staff, have equitable access to WesternU’s educational and employment programs and activities, without being discriminated based on a person’s sex.
WesternU’s policy and procedures on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct describe the University’s obligations and responsibilities under Title IX of the Education Code as amended in 1972, and under the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. It also includes information on how to report complaints and the grievance processes utilized by WesternU.
Training materials are also included on this website. Additionally, there are some video training materials to help illustrate and convey some of the prohibited conduct described in the policy. Additionally, there are also training information on other elements of the policy, such as affirmative consent and bystander intervention.
WesternU also partners with organizations in the community and other outside providers. These are confidential resources that assist with services such as counseling, coaching, emergency shelter, crisis intervention, support groups, law enforcement navigation, hospital advocacy, evidence preservation, and forensic medical examinations.
1. Addressing complaints from faculty, staff and students on discrimination, harassment, interpersonal violence, and retaliation.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on the following protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex (pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity), and national origin.
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 – prohibits sex or gender discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance: dating/domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and stalking.
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 – protects from age discrimination.
- California Fair Employment and Housing Act – protects from marital status discrimination.
- Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act – protects from military status discrimination.
- Retaliation based on participating in a protected activity (Title IX or Human Resource investigation).
2. Addressing complaints from prospective employees (applicants). WesternU is an equal opportunity employer.
- All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
Education & Training
- Requires that all staff, faculty, and supervisors complete a mandatory on-line harassment, discrimination, and retaliation training every two years.
- On alternating years, all staff, faculty, and supervisors are required to complete an on-line course on Title IX.
- Incoming students must complete an on-line course on Title IX in order to complete their registration and admission process.
- Supervisors and management staff identified as a “responsible employee” must complete an on-line course annually on the responsibilities of responsible employees.
To better serve the WesternU community, on-site/in-person training is available for all departments, programs and student groups. Please contact us if you have any questions about training and let us know how we can be of assistance.
These are the policies and procedures of WesternU on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct:
Policies and Procedures:
Equal Opportunity Civil Rights Policy (March 2025)
Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment, Interpersonal Violence, and Other Sexual Misconduct (SIM) Policy
To report complaints of Title IX and/or Discrimination, Harassment, Interpersonal Violence, & Retaliation, please use the appropriate forms below:
Discrimination, Harassment, Interpersonal Violence, & Retaliation Complaint Form
Advisors:
If an advisor will be present for the meetings or any proceedings, please complete the Advisor Request form and submit it two (2) working days before the meeting to the Title IX Coordinator. The Advisor Guide will assist the Advisor in understanding their role in this process.
Advisor Request Title IX Process
Advisor Guide to the Title IX Process
After completing the form, please sign it and send it to:
Associate Vice President of Equal Opportunity & Title IX Coordinator
Western University of Health Sciences
359 E. Second Street
Pomona, CA 91766
Email: OTIXEO@westernu.edu
These are resources available for those unsure about whether to report formally or who are interested in seeking counseling in addition to (or without) making a formal report. While discussing allegations with a confidential resource may not result in an identifying report to the Title IX Coordinator, they may have reporting (or other) obligations under the law.
On Campus
Optum Employee Assistance Program
(services are available for students and employees)
(800) 234-5465
Optum website (access code: westernu)
Services: Counseling, Financial and legal advice, life balance support
For a complete summary of available confidential resources, please visit our websites:
WesternU Employees: Human Resources Benefits Office
WesternU Students: Student Services Counseling
WesternU Incident Reporting Form
Do not use this to report events presenting an immediate safety or security threat. If this is an emergency, please contact WesternU’s Campus Security at 909-706-3000 (or 3000 from a campus phone) or dial 911 for local law enforcement.
OTIXEO Team
Cristina Alvarez
Associate Vice President of Equal Opportunity & Title IX Coordinator
Sara Aguirre
Senior Deputy Civil Rights Officer
Inga Rodriguez
Deputy Title IX Coordinators – California
Georgette Carrasco
Deputy Title IX Coordinators – Oregon
Rick Leeper
