In accordance with the Title IX Regulations, the Rancho Santiago Community College has identified all employees to be an Official with Authority (OWA) with the exception of Psychologist at the Health Centers.
Official with Authority (OWA) means an employee at the District explicitly vested with the responsibility to implement corrective measures for sexual harassment and/or retaliation on behalf of the District.
This means if you receive information that sex or gender-based discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, and/or retaliatory conduct involving students, faculty, staff, or third parties, you are required to promptly report all unknown information regarding the alleged misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator.
Reports can be made via the online reporting form at: 
RSCCD.EDU/Report
What to know as an Official with Authority (OWA)
You are not a counselor or an investigator and no one is asking or expecting you to perform these duties. You are not responsible to determine if the District has jurisdiction over the alleged misconduct, or to determine whether conduct took place; the Title IX Coordinator and/or Deputy Title IX Coordinators will make that determination.
You are the bridge to connect students to campus and community support.
Acknowledge the boundaries of your relationship with the student while helping the student access the resources and assistance. You can also offer to walk the student over to the Student Health Center or to Campus Safety for further assistance.
If someone reports sexual misconduct to you, remember to A.C.T!
Assess their level of safety
Unless there is a threat of imminent danger, ask them if they would feel comfortable with you calling Campus Safety or 9-1-1.
Consider medical attention
Remember it is the student's decision whether or not they receive medical attention. Your role is to remind them to consider all of their options, which include:
- Visit the Health Center (during business hours)
- Transport via a friend or family member to a local hospital
- Call Campus Safety for transport to a medical facility
You can also encourage them to talk to a psychologist at the Student Health Center.
Talk about their options
Provide the following information:
Non-confidential Resources:
- Santa Ana Police Department (714-245-8665)
- Orange Police Department (714-744-7444)
- Campus Safety
- SAC (714) 564-6330
- SCC (714) 628-4730
- CEC (714) 241-5738
- OEC (714) 628-5950
- Title IX Coordinator (714) 480-7404
- Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
- SAC (714) 564-6216
- SCC (714) 628-4773
Confidential Resource on Campus:
Health Center
- SAC (714) 564-6216
- SCC (714) 628-4773
Orange County Resources for Counseling, Accompaniment, and Advocacy:
- North Orange County Sexual Assault Victim Services (714) 834-4317
- South Orange County Sexual Assault Victim Services (949) 752-1971
- Rape Crisis Hotlines (24/7) (714) 957-2737 and (949) 831-9110
- Domestic Violence Assistance Program - (714) 935-7956
- Temporary Restraining Order Infoline (24/7) (714) 935-7956
- VINE Service (Victims can receive immediate notification upon the release of a suspect from custody) (800) 721-8021
How to Provide Support
As a member of the District community, a student may approach you regarding being the recipient of unwelcomed conduct or having knowledge regarding another student in this situation. It is important to provide support and to refer them to professional resources (see above). Here are some steps that can assist you:
- Recognize it can be an enormous step for someone to talk with another person about their experience and this person has placed trust in sharing information with you. However, it is important to inform the student you are mandated to report any information the student reports to you. The following statement is suggested to have available to inform the student: “I need to tell you that I am considered an official with Authority (OWA) that means I must inform the Title IX Coordinator that an incident has occurred. The reason we report this information is to make sure you are able to get all the help and support you need. If you do not want details of what occurred reported or are not interested in making a complaint at this time, you have the right to maintain your privacy. I will only report what you share with me. If you prefer to speak with someone confidentially, I would be happy to help you get in touch with the psychologist at the Student Health Center. They are not obligated to report any details to the Title IX Coordinator”.
- Given the trust the student has placed in you, please respect the student’s privacy. Do not share the student’s experience with others except for the Title IX Coordinator.
- Listen and believe the student. Inform the student of reporting options.
- You can assure the student that no records or reports of unwelcomed conduct are kept in the student’s permanent academic records.
Remember it is not only our ethical responsibility to respond in a comprehensive and supportive way, but it is also our legal responsibility.
