Aerial view of North Park University campus with Chicago skyline.

About North Park University

Title IX

North Park University (“North Park”) is committed to fostering an environment that is secure and free from discrimination and harassment.

North Park University does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination against any individual based on any category protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Accordingly, North Park does not discriminate, and strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, creed, national origin, shared ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, caregiver status, military status, including past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other category or characteristic protected by applicable law. When brought to the attention of North Park any such discrimination will be appropriately addressed by North Park according to the procedures below and any applicable collective bargaining agreement.

The Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment applies to all members of the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This policy outlines prohibited behavior, reporting options and the available resolution processes.

The information below is intended to help you answer several questions, and point you to resources you may need regarding sexual misconduct and related issues:

Report AN INCIDENT

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination by entities that receive federal funds, including educational institutions. The law is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. The Department of Education has promulgated regulations to implement Title IX. The regulations appear at 34 C.F.R. Part 106.

Title IX and the implementing regulations state 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.” The definition of “program or activity” includes all the operations of an educational institution that receives federal funds.

North Park’s policy aligns with our Christian principles and federal and state laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.

Who is responsible for implementing the policy?

All University administrators are responsible for ensuring that policies are followed, just as all members of the North Park community are expected to adhere to the policies.

Coordination of these efforts and responsibility for implementation of, and compliance oversight for, the Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, including prompt and equitable resolution of any complaints, is managed by the University’s Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators.

Individuals who wish to report sex based discrimination or harassment, including sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, or stalking can do so by phone, in person, or by email at titleix@sanmingzhi.net. Sex-based harassment is a form of sex discrimination and means sexual harassment and other harassment on the basis of sex, including on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. A member of the Title IX Team will respond promptly during business hours.

Title IX Coordinator 

North Park is committed to promoting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working and learning environment free from discrimination and harassment. The Title IX Coordinator is charged with monitoring compliance with Title IX; providing education and training; and coordinating North Park’s response, investigation, and resolution of all reports of Prohibited Conduct under this policy. The Title IX Coordinator acts with independence and authority and oversees all resolutions under this policy free from bias and conflicts of interest. The Title IX Coordinator is available to meet with any Student, Employee, or other individual to discuss this policy or the accompanying procedures and can be contacted at:

Title IX Coordinator
Elizabeth Fedec
Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students
Student Engagement
(773) 244-5664
Room 151, Center for Student Engagement, first floor, Johnson Center

Elizabeth manages complaints against students.

Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Frank K. Hattula, M.S.ED., MHRM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Senior Director of Human Resources, Deputy Title IX Coordinator Student Engagement
(773) 244-5601
Old Main, 3rd floor

Frank manages complaints against employees.

Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Emily Wagner
Director of Seminary Student Life and Formation
Room 108, first floor, Nyvall Hall
(773) 244-6219

Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Jessica Nagle
Room 151, Center for Student Engagement, first floor, Johnson Center
Direct: (650) 383-4753 ext. 145

Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Bisrat Kidane
Head Track & Field Coach and Assistant Cross Country Coach
Gym Basement
(773) 244-5678

Deputy Title IX Coordinator
LaShun McGhee
Room 151, Center for Student Engagement, first floor, Johnson Center

Mailing Address
North Park University
3225 W. Foster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

Who should I contact if I want to file a complaint, submit a report, or understand my options?

The Title IX Coordinator or their Deputies are designated to coordinate the University’s response to end, prevent and remedy the effects of sexual misconduct. They play an integral role in carrying out the University’s commitment to provide a positive and enriching living, learning, and working environment for all community members.

Please note that the Title IX Coordinator and Deputies are not confidential. They are private resources who will keep any information as private as possible, only sharing on a need-to-know basis to be able to respond to reports or complaints and end misconduct.

Confidential Advisors (No Duty to Report)

The University has designated employees to serve as confidential advisors, meaning they are not required to report disclosures to the Title IX Coordinator. Advisors can explain how to report to the University, the police or both. They can explain the effects of reporting; how to obtain resources and support on and off campus; supportive measures, protective orders, no-contact orders, and upon request connect you with campus authorities who can secure measures and accommodations. You can find a list of advisors below:

Counseling Support Services, 3317 W. Foster Ave., 773-244-4897

Health Services, 3317 W. Foster Ave, 773-244-4897

University Ministries’ Campus Pastor; Center for Student Engagement, first floor, Johnson Center, 773-244-4983

Employees Reporting Obligation (Must Report)

North Park believes it is important to be proactive in taking reasonable steps to identify and prevent incidents of harassment or discrimination. All employees, with limited exceptions as identified by North Park, are required to promptly provide to the Title IX Coordinator all complaints or reports of sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment to the Title IX Coordinator and share all information reported or made available to the employee. If an employee in a supervisory capacity has direct knowledge of an incident of harassment or discrimination they are required to bring the matter to the attention of the Senior Director of Human Resources. 

What should I do if I witness or experience a potential violation?

Members of the University community should contact a Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Coordinator if they are personally subjected to, or they observe, conduct that may be in violation of the Policy.

In the event of any urgent safety concerns to individuals or the community please contact Campus Safety.

Office of Campus Safety

  • Emergency: (773) 244-5600
  • Director of Campus Security: (773) 244-5222

Anyone witnessing or experiencing a potential violation may also contact the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) to ask questions about Title IX and other equal opportunity laws applicable to recipients of federal funds or to make complaints. The Chicago branch of OCR is located at:

500 W MADISON ST, SUITE 1475
CHICAGO IL 60661-4544
Telephone: (312) 730-1560
Fax: (312) 730-1576

What happens if I make a complaint?

The Title IX Coordinator or designee will respond to reports or complaints.

Initial Contact

The Title IX Coordinator will contact the complainant to meet with the Title IX Coordinator for an initial intake and assessment meeting, and will provide the following:

  • An invitation to meet to offer assistance and explain their rights, resources, and options under this policy;
  • Access to this policy;
  • Information regarding available campus and community resources for counseling, health care, mental health, or victim advocacy. Upon request, information regarding legal assistance, visa and immigration assistance, student financial aid and other available services may be provided;
  • The availability of Supportive Measures regardless of whether a complaint is filed and/or any resolution is initiated;
  • The options for resolution (no action, prevention, agreement, investigation) and how to initiate such resolution processes;
  • The right to notify law enforcement as well as the right not to notify law enforcement;
  • The importance of preserving evidence and, in the case of potential criminal misconduct, how to get assistance from Campus Safety or local law enforcement in preserving evidence;
  • The right to an advisor of choice, if applicable, during North Park proceedings under this policy including the initial meeting with the Title IX Coordinator.
  • A statement that retaliation for filing a complaint, or participating in the complaint process, is prohibited.
  • Information on how to initiate the Investigation or Resolution-Based Agreement process.

Initial Intake & Assessment

The Initial Assessment process seeks to gather information about the nature and circumstances of the report to determine whether this policy applies to the report and, if so, which resolution process may be appropriate, as well as which section of the grievance procedures apply based on the conduct and the status of the parties. The Title IX Coordinator may also determine that the provision of supportive measures only is the appropriate response under the policy. The initial assessment is not a finding of fact or responsibility.  If the individual bringing forward the complaint is not the actual complainant, the Title IX Coordinator will limit communication to general information on policies and processes.

Should the complainant wish to initiate a resolution process, the Title IX Coordinator will determine whether this policy applies and, if so, the appropriate process under this policy. The Title IX Coordinator will communicate to the complainant this determination.

If the information provided does not suggest a potential violation of this policy, the Title IX Coordinator will provide the complainant written notice that the matter is being referred for handling under a different policy, and/or to another appropriate office for handling.

Are complaints or reports confidential?

No, the Title IX Coordinator will share information on a need-to-know basis.

Resources

The following resources are available to the members of the community (Coming Soon):

North Park University Title IX Experience Survey Fall 2023

Archived Resources: