Samuel Merritt University is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming educational and working environment for everyone where sexual misconduct, sexual assault, gender discrimination, and gender-based violence within the SMU community is not tolerated and is promptly addressed.
The Title IX Team receives complaints of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, gender discrimination, and gender-based violence, conducts investigations of each complaint, and connects those affected with campus and community resources and support.
The U.S. Department of Education issued new regulations on May 6, 2020 mandating how colleges and universities must investigate and adjudicate sexual misconduct and sexual assault cases under Title IX, a federal statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender in any federally funded education program or activity. Like all educational institutions that receive federal funding, Samuel Merritt University was required to amend its current policies and procedures to implement these new regulations.
The Executive Director of People and Culture serves as the Title IX Coordinator and ADA/504 Coordinator (for employees; the director of disability resource center has responsibility for student ADA/504 compliance) and oversees implementation of Samuel Merritt University’s Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity plan, disability compliance (for employees; the director of disability resource center has responsibility for student disability compliance), and Samuel Merritt University’s policy on equal opportunity, harassment, and nondiscrimination. The Title IX Coordinator has the primary responsibility for coordinating Samuel Merritt University’s efforts related to the intake, investigation, resolution,and implementation of supportive measures to stop, remediate, and prevent discrimination, harassment, and retaliation prohibited under this policy.
Complaints or notice of alleged policy violations, or inquiries about or concerns regarding this policy and procedures, may be made internally to:
Charu Bhatia, Chief Human Resources Officer
Office of People and Culture
3300 Webster Avenue, 3rd Floor Oakland, CA 94609
510-934-5043
cbhatia@samuelmerritt.edu
Chris Chu, Assistant Dean of Students for Retention and Engagement
Division of Student Affairs
3100 Telegraph, Oakland, CA 94609
510-879-9200 Ext. 7454
Maria Salas, Director of Total Rewards
Office of People and Culture
3300 Webster Avenue, 3rd Floor Oakland, CA 94609
510-907-2570
