Title IX
At UWRF, we're committed to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence in order to ensure a safe and equitable educational environment for all. Our office is responsible for responding to reports of sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and sexual exploitation and taking prompt action to stop that behavior, prevent its recurrence and remedy its effects. Because we must all do our part to ensure a safe and equitable educational environment, our office regularly collaborates with other campus partners and community stakeholders.
File A Title IX Report
Policies, Definitions and Laws
Campus Resources and Resolution Options
Reporting Concerns and Requirements
Pregnant, Expecting, Parenting Students
Training and Violence Prevention
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 and it protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Just 37 words long, Title IX provides that: "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."
Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, sex-based misconduct, relationship violence, discrimination based on pregnancy and the failure to provide equal opportunities in employment, admissions or any educational programs or activities.
UW-River Falls adheres to all federal, state and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education, and does not discriminate in its admissions practices, in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex.
What is Sexual Misconduct?
Sexual misconduct is a term that refers to specifically defined prohibited behaviors. It includes the following:
- Sexual harassment (quid pro quo and hostile environment)
- Sexual assault
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Stalking
- Sexual exploitation
- Discrimination based on sex
What UWRF Prohibits
Conduct prohibited by Title IX and/or UWRF's AP-06-116 Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment policy:
- Sex Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Exploitation
- Dating Violence
- Domestic Violence
- Stalking
- Retaliation
- Providing false information to a reporting or investigatory office on a Title IX matter
- Refusal to comply with a reasonable request on a Title IX matter
Who Does Title IX Protect?
Title IX’s protection extends to a broad array of university community members, university programs, benefits and services, including:
Individuals
Student applicants
Students
Applicants for employment
Employees (faculty, staff, etc.)
Campus visitors
Pregnant students or employees and those recovering from childbirth
University Programs, Benefits and Services
- Admission/Recruitment
- Housing
- Facilities
- Access to classes
- Counseling
- Financial assistance
- Employment assistance
- Health insurance
- Marital or parental status, including pregnancy
- Athletics
- Employment
UWRF Policy Statement
The mission of University of Wisconsin-River Falls is to provide a teaching, learning and working environment in which faculty, staff, and students can discover, examine critically, preserve, and transmit the knowledge, wisdom, and values that will improve quality of life for all. To promote these institutional values, UW-River Falls is committed to creating and maintaining a community environment that is free from sexual violence and sexual harassment.
NOTE: In accordance with new federal Title IX regulations effective August 14, 2020, the UW‐River Falls policy on sexual violence and harassment has been updated.
Suggestions or Concerns About Our Work
The Title IX and Compliance Office reports to the Dean of Students within the Division of Student Success.
If you have any compliments, suggestions, information or concerns about our office, please let us know using this process.
Staff
April Chaney
Title IX Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Office: 215 Rodli Hall
Phone: 715-425-0720
Email: april.chaney@uwrf.edu
Professional Information
Education:
- Juris Doctor, cum laude: University of Mississippi School of Law
- B.A., Geography/Environmental Studies, cum laude: University of California, Los Angeles
Michelle Benedict
Deputy Title IX Coordinator/Chief Human Resources Officer
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Office: 216 North Hall
Phone: 715-425-3073
Email: michelle.benedict@uwrf.edu
Professional Information
Michael Gilmer
Deputy Title IX Coordinator/Assistant Chancellor for Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment and Dean of Students
Pronouns: he/him/his
Office: 216 Rodli Hall
Phone: 715-425-0720
Email: michael.gilmer@uwrf.edu
Professional Information
Education
- Doctoral degree, Educational Leadership: University of Central Florida
- Master's degree, Curriculum and Instruction: University of South Florida
- Bachelor's degree, Psychology: Valdosta State University
- Certificate, Alternative Dispute Resolution: St. Edward's University
Kristina Mitchell
Deputy Title IX Coordinator/Head Athletic Trainer and Senior Woman Administrator
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Office: Falcon Center
Phone: 715-425-3130
Email: kristina.mitchell@uwrf.edu
Professional Information
Jenn Rassett
Deputy Title IX Coordinator/Residence Life Director for Community and Student Development
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Office: B3 E Hathorn Hall
Phone: 715-425-4555
Email: jennifer.rassett@uwrf.edu
Professional Information
Education
- Ed.D, Educational Leadership, University of St. Thomas
- M.S., Sport Management, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- M.Ed, College Student Affairs and Leadership, Grand Valley State University
- B.S., Physical Education, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Michelle Klechefski
Title IX Intakes/Nurse Manager, Student Health and Dean of Students Office
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Office: 254 Rodli Hall
Phone: 715-425-3884/3293
Email: michelle.klechefski@uwrf.edu
Professional Information
Education
- Master's of Public Health Nursing (MSN)
- Master's of Public Health (MPH)
- B.S., Nursing (BSN)
- B.A., International Business, Spanish
Jordan Cantele
Title IX Investigator
Pronouns: he/him/his
Office: 235 Rodli Hall
Phone: 715-425-0720
Email: jordan.cantele@uwrf.edu
Professional Information
Education
- Emergency Management, M.S., Millersville University of Pennsylvania
- Social Work, CSWE Accredited, B.A., Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Kayla Ross
Title IX Investigator
Pronouns: she/they
Office: 235 Rodli Hall
Phone: 715-425-0720
Email: kayla.ross@uwrf.edu
Professional Information
Education
- Higher Education Student Affairs, M. Ed, Loyola University Chicago
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and English Literature, Minor in Asian Studies, B.S., University of Wisconsin-River Falls
