Title IX

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment.

Polk State College is firmly committed to maintaining an educational environment in which sexual harassment and sexual assault are not tolerated, and in which persons reporting sexual misconduct are provided support and resolution. When sexual misconduct is brought to the attention of Polk State College, the College will take prompt and appropriate action to end the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and work to bring resolution to the misconduct.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in higher education. Institutions that receive federal financial assistance are to adhere to the amendments. Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault. Polk State College prohibits the commission of any act of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, sexual battery, and other crimes of violence upon employees, students and prospective students, applicants, volunteers, vendors, contractors, visitors and other affiliates of the College conducting College business, events or activities at Polk State College. To the extent practical, non-employees (applicants, volunteers, vendors, contractors, etc.) on our premises should be made aware of the College’s position relative to Title IX.

Title IX states:

“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.”
–Legal Citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)

Polk State College Rules and Procedures related to Title IX:

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Please visit the Related Rules & Procedures page, to view all rules and procedures related to the Compliance for Equal Opportunity and Accessibility Services.

Title IX Contacts

Title IX 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 Polk State College. While compliance with the law is everyone’s responsibility at the College, below is a list of staff members who partner with the Title IX Coordinator to maintain Title IX compliance.

Melvin Thompson
Director, Student Development
Title IX Coordinator
3425 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, Florida 33803
LAC-1239B
863.669.2903
mthompson@polk.edu

Traci Hamm
Manager, Human Resources
Title IX Deputy
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299
WAD-204
863.298.6869
thamm@polk.edu

Dr. Bert Rivera-Marchand
Dean, Academic Affairs
Title IX Assistant Coordinator for Students
3425 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33805-9715
LLC 2278
863.669.2929
brivera@polk.edu

Dr. Kim Thomas Manning
Dean, Academic Affairs
Title IX Assistant Coordinator for Students
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299
WSC 102
863.837.5925
kithomas@polk.edu

Lt. Emmett Andrews
Director of Public Safety and Security
863.581.5492
Winter Haven Campus
WAD 242
eandrews@polk.edu
For additional information, please visit Campus Safety & Security.
For community and on-campus resources, please visit the Stop Sexual Violence/Additional Contacts & Resources page.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office – Sergeant
863.669.4915
Lakeland Campus
LAC 1185
security@polk.edu
For additional information, please visit Campus Safety & Security.
For community and on-campus resources, please visit the Stop Sexual Violence/Additional Contacts & Resources page.