Campus Safety

Title IX/Sexual Misconduct

Statement of Compliance

On January 9, 2025, a federal district court vacated the 2024 Final Rule. In accordance with the court’s order, the 2024 Title IX regulations and related resources are no longer in effect in any jurisdiction.

We have reverted our Title IX handbook to align with the 2020 regulations. You can access the updated handbook in the Policy section below.

Additional Resources Available:

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits discrimination based on the gender of students and employees in educational institutions which receive federal funding.

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) takes positive action to insure that students and employees are treated in compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related individual conditions, medical condition (as defined by state law), military status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is committed to providing a learning and working environment that promotes personal integrity, civility and mutual respect in an environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, including all forms of sexual discrimination. Sex discrimination violates an individual’s fundamental rights and personal dignity. SCU considers sex discrimination in all its forms to be an egregious offense. This policy refers to all forms of sex discrimination, including but not limited to: sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence by employees, students, and/or third parties.

Quick Links:

Title IX Information & Resources

VAWA:

VAWA was first enacted in 1994 to raise awareness of domestic violence and assault crimes against women. Since its inception, VAWA has been updated and modified. VAWA’s most recent reauthorization was in 2013 with changes effective on October 1, 2014.

Today, VAWA applies to everyone in the United States and requires that University policies and procedures address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking as well as provide sexual violence education programs, prevention programs, and awareness campaigns.

For more information concerning SCU’s VAWA resources, please visit the links below:

SCU’s Title IX Coordinators are responsible for investigating allegations of sexual misconduct/sexual violence, providing resources for victims, informing both parties of there respective rights under the federal law and under University policy. If you have been a victim of, or were witness to, any behavior that you might deem sexual misconduct/sexual violence, please alert the appropriate Title IX Coordinator below.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency or are the direct victim of a crime, please dial 9-1-1 before attempting to contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Title IX Coordinator
Shelby Gugel, AVP for Student, Alumni, and Career Services
ShelbyGugel@scuhs.edu | (562) 902-3384
16200 Amber Valley Drive, Whittier, CA 90604
Building “Library Resource Center/LRC”

Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Samaneh Sadri, Director of Student Success
SamanehSadri@scuhs.edu | (562) 902-3368
16200 Amber Valley Drive, Whittier, CA 90604
Building “Library Resource Center/LRC”

Title IX Deputy Coordinator
Alex Cruz, Sr. Coordinator Inclusion Well-being
AlexCruz@scuhs.edu | (562) 902-3352
16200 Amber Valley Drive, Whittier, CA 90604
Building “Chesney Student Center”

Title IX Investigator
Provided by Grand River Solutions

Title IX Hearing Officer
Provided by Grand River Solutions

National Sexual Assault Hotline

Love is Respect

National Domestic Violence Hotline

If you or someone you know has experiences sexual violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, or stalking, here are some ways you can help or receive assistance.

For immediate assistance right away, or are experiencing domestic violence, call:

*Open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day!

  • Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-978-3600
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233

To file a domestic violence restraining order, click here for direct access.

Locate a domestic violence shelter in the LA area by visiting 211LA, click here for direct access. You can also visit LACounty.Gov

RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country.

National Street Harassment Hotline: a service of Stop Street Harassment

LOS ANGELES RAPE & BATTERING HOTLINES

U.S. NATIONAL SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESOURCE CENTER

THE ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT

  • Serves people who are LGBTQ Bilingual 24/7 Hotline 212.714.1124

GLBT NATIONAL HELP CENTER HOTLINE

THE NETWORK/LA RED

  • LGBTQ, poly, and kink/BDSM survivors of abuse; bilingual hotline 617.742.4911

DoD Safe Helpline: a service for members of the U.S. military and their families, operated by RAINN for the Department of Defense

Domestic and Dating Violence

Love is Respect: A service of the National Domestic Violence Hotline

National Helpline for Male Survivors: a service of 1in6

National Sexual Violence Resource Center –

The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for overseeing Title IX compliance.  You can learn more about the OCR or file a compliant directly with them using the information below.

San Francisco Office
50 Beale Street (Suite 7200)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 486-5555
Fax: (415) 486-5570
TDD: (877) 521-2172

Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov
Web: www.ed.gov/ocr

At SCU, every student has the right to an education free from sex- or gender-based discrimination. Our Know Your IX guide is here to help you understand your protections, the support available to you, and how to access help when you need it.

This resource outlines your rights under Title IX, including protection from sexual harassment, the requirement of clear and voluntary consent, and your ability to report concerns without fear of retaliation. It also details supportive measures such as academic adjustments and safety accommodations, available even without filing a formal complaint.

Access the guide here!