Complaints & Concerns

Information for Students - Unlawful Discrimination / Sexual Harassment

 

SMC prohibits unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment in any of its programs and activities.

If you are a student experiencing issues with an instructor's teaching style or methods, please contact the Chair of the department. 

  • A list of those department Chairs can be found here.

If you are a student and would like to dispute your grade, please contact the Ombuds Office.

  • Please find the contact information for the Ombuds Office here.

To speak to someone confidentially

SMC Ombudsperson     ombuds@smc.edu

SMC The Center for Wellness & Wellbeing (formerly Psychological Services)        310-434-4503

For immediate safety or crime-related concerns

Campus Police          310-434-4300 or 911

For information about sexual assault

Lisa Winter,      Assistant Director, Human Resources, Compliance and Title IX
Email: winter_lisa@smc.edu       310-434-4225 or 310-434-4415       

Mailing Address:
Santa Monica College, Office of Human Resources,
1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405

In Person [please note that an appointment is required]:
Santa Monica College, Office of Human Resources            310-434-4415
2714 Pico Blvd., 2nd Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90405

For immediate safety or crime-related concerns

Campus Police         310-434-4300 or 911

SMC Sexual Violence Response and Prevention

What is unlawful discrimination?

Unlawful discrimination is conduct that denies or limits a student’s full and equal access to participate in or benefit from a school’s programs or activities because of the student’s legally protected status in one or more of the following categories.

Legally Protected Statuses:

  • Ethnic group identification

  • National origin

  • Religion

  • Age

  • Sex or gender

  • Race

  • Color

  • Ancestry

  • Sexual orientation

  • Mental Disability

  • Physical Disability

  • Or on the basis of any of these perceived characteristics or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is a type of unlawful discrimination. It is conduct that is sexual in nature, is unwelcome, and denies or limits a student’s full and equal access to participate in or benefit from a school’s program or activities.

Sexual harassment can take different forms depending on the harasser and the nature of the harassment. Both male and female students can be victims of sexual harassment, and the harasser and the victim can be of the same sex.

What are some examples of unlawful discrimination & sexual harassment?

Such conduct can be verbal, non-verbal (such as gestures or picture), or physical.

Examples of conduct that might constitute unlawful discrimination include, but are not limited to:

  • The use of racial epithets

  • Pictures or graphics that are derogatory to an ethnic or religious group

  • The physical harassment of a student based on his/her sexual orientation

  • Refusing to provide appropriate academic adjustments to auxiliary aids/services that are necessary to afford a student with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in the school's program

Examples of conduct that might constitute unlawful sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

  • Sexual propositions or pressuring students for sexual favors

  • Touching of a sexual nature or sexual assault

  • Displaying or distributing pornographic materials

  • Telling offensive dirty jokes

What is unlawful retaliation?

Unlawful retaliation occurs when a person is subjected to intimidation, threats, coercion, or another type of adverse action because the person complained about unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment or participated in an investigation about unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment.

Where can I get more information?

Student Information regarding your Rights to File a Complaint with the following agencies:

To file a complaint regarding unlawful discrimination and/or sexual harassment, you may submit the form below:

Unlawful Discrimination Complaint Form

The following resources provide information about the complaint process:

SMC Resources

Board Policies & Administrative Regulations regarding non-discrimination on the basis of disability: