Sex Discrimination, Harassment, and Assault: MTSU Title IX Coordinators

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." Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)

Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault.

While it is often thought of as a law that applies to athletics programs, Title IX is much broader than Athletics and applies to many programs at Middle Tennessee State University. While compliance with the law is everyone's responsibility at MTSU, listed below are the staff members who have primary responsibility for Title IX compliance.

Title IX Coordinator
Carol Clark
Director of Employment / Employee Relations
2269 Middle Tennessee Boulevard
204 Sam H. Ingram Building
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 898-5133
ca.clark@mtsu.edu

Duties and Responsibilities: Monitoring and oversight of overall implementation of Title IX Compliance at MTSU, including coordination of training, education, communications, and administration of grievance procedures for faculty, staff, students and other members of the MTSU community.

Title IX Deputy Coordinators
For complaints against students:
Laura Sosh-Lightsy
Assistant Dean, Judicial Affairs and Mediation Services
128 Keathley University Center
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 898-2750
Laura.Lightsy@mtsu.edu

If you have a complaint against a MTSU student for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or sexual assault, you should contact Judicial Affairs and Mediation Services.

The Assistant Dean is responsible for Title IX compliance in matters involving students, including training, education, communication, investigation, and administration of the grievance procedure for all complaints against MTSU students.

For complaints against faculty, staff and visitors:
Barbara Patton
Executive Director, Institutional Equity & Compliance
220 Cope Administration Building
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 898-2185
blpatton@mtsu.edu

If you have a complaint against a MTSU faculty or staff member or visitor for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or sexual assault, you should contact the office of Institutional Equity & Compliance.

The Executive Director is responsible for Title IX compliance in matters involving faculty and staff, including training, education, communication, investigation, and administration of the grievance procedure for all complaints against faculty, staff, and visitors, including those complaints filed by students.

For Athletics:
Diane Turnham
Associate Athletic Director/Senior Women's Administrator
150A Murphy Center
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 898-2938
dturnham@mtsu.edu

Complaints against MTSU Students and Employees in Athletics:
If you have a complaint against an MTSU student, coach, or administrator for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, or sexual assault, you may contact one of the offices listed above, or you may contact the Associate Athletic Director/Senior Women's Administrator, who will facilitate the handling of the complaint with the appropriate office.

Gender Equity in Athletics:
If you have a complaint about gender equity in MTSU athletics programs, you should contact the Associate Athletics Director/Senior Women's Administrator, who is responsible for Title IX Compliance in matters related to gender equity in MTSU athletics programs.

Additional Resources:
Sexual Assault:
To file a complaint of sexual assault, you may contact one of the offices above, depending on who the complaint is against (faculty/staff, visitor. or student) and you may also contact:

MTSU Department of Public Safety
1412 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
(615) 898-2424 (non-emergency)
911 (emergency)

You can also text complaints to the Department of Public Safety at any of the following numbers: 615-636-3137 or (Toll Free) 855-MTSU911 and 615-636-3158 or (Toll Free) 855-898-2424.

Title IX Presentation