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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, Harassment and Retaliation 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:

 

Understand Your Reporting Options and Rights

North Park University encourages individuals who may have experienced sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking to seek care and support. Individuals can access medical, counseling, spiritual, and advocacy resources through North Park or local community-based providers. Individuals have many options and can choose what works best for them. Our Title IX Team is here to provide information and assist you in navigating your rights and options.

Right to report to law enforcement

You can file a Security Report by calling the Office of Campus Safety (non-emergency) at 773-244-5600. If this is an emergency and you are on campus, please call 9-1-1 first and then emergency at 773-244-5600. If you are not on campus, please call 9-1-1 in an emergency. You may also request our assistance in reporting an incident to your local law enforcement.

Right to submit a report or complaint to the University

You have the right to file a report and/or submit a complaint to Elizabeth Fedec, Assistant Vice President, Dean of Students, Title IX Coordinator, by email at: titleix@northpark.edu or by phone at 773-244-5664.

Right to privacy

The Title IX Coordinator is a private resource meaning they will keep any information you share as private as possibly only sharing with those with a need to know to be able to respond to the report, end the conduct alleged or remedy its effects.

Right to seek medical care

You can seek medical care from Health Services or any area hospital emergency room. At the hospital, you can be treated by a Sexual Assault Nurse who is skilled in performing Sexual Assault Nurse Exams (SANE) and collecting forensic evidence from patients who may have experienced a sexual assault. A SANE can address sexually transmitted infections, diseases, and pregnancy exposure. SANEs are free and performed at no cost in Illinois.

  • A SANE must be given within 5 days or 120 hours of the
  • If you suspect you were given any type of drug, you should seek medical care within hours or days to be able to obtain laboratory diagnostics.
  • Emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy must be given within 72
  • HIV emergency post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be started as soon as possible for maximum effectiveness and must be started within 72 hours of the potential exposure.

Right to assistance accessing and navigating resources

Whether you want to report or not, you can obtain confidential medical, counseling, spiritual, and advocacy services on or off campus to help cope with an incident or to explore A list of resources are below.

Right to Confidential Advisors

Counseling Support Services are confidential advisors meaning they are not required to report disclosures to the Title IX Coordinator. Advisors can explain your reporting options and the effects of those. Additionally, they can explain 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.

Right to feel safe on campus

The Title IX Office can coordinate available supportive measures and For example, measures might include changes to your academic, living, dining, working, and transportation situations, a no contact order, protection order or no contact order in State court.

Medical Care | Confidential

  • University Health Services: 3317 W. Foster Ave, 773-244-4897
  • Swedish Hospital: 773-878-8200

Counseling | Confidential

  • Confidential Advisors/ University Counseling Support Services: 773-244-4897
  • YWCA Sexual Assault Support Services: 888-293-2080
  • Greenlight Counseling Services: 773-728-7800
  • Community Counseling Center of Chicago: 24-Hour Crisis Line 773-769-0205

Spiritual Counseling | Confidential

  • University Ministries | Terence Gadsen, Campus Pastor and Athletic Chaplain, 773-244-4983 tzgadsden@Northpark.edu

Advocacy Services | Confidential

  • Resilience: 312-443-9603
  • RAINN: 800-656-4673
  • Domestic Violence Legal Clinic: 312-325-9155
  • No More Global: International Directory of Resources

Law Enforcement | Private

  • On Campus: Campus Safety: 773-244-5600
  • Off Campus Emergency: 9-1-1

Title IX Coordinator | Private

Last updated: July 29, 2025

Guide for Students or Employees Experiencing Pregnancy and Related Conditions

If a student or employee is experiencing pregnancy and is looking for resources, adjustments to
living, learning or work environment, accommodations, or support then they should contact the
Title IX Coordinator. Students can also contact employees who can direct them to the Title IX
Office.

Employees or applicants may also contact the Human Resources (HR) Office for more
information, because additional workplace laws and policies apply.

When a student voluntarily discloses a pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition to a university
employee (faculty or staff), the employee should provide the student with contact information for
the Title IX Coordinator. While employees are encouraged to notify the Title IX Coordinator to
ensure the student receives information about their rights and available support, they should do so
in a manner that respects the student’s privacy and autonomy. The Title IX Coordinator can assist in
initiating an interactive process to discuss reasonable adjustments or accommodations, consistent
with Title IX protections. Employees may email titleix@northpark.edu to request that the Title IX
Coordinator reach out to the student, who may then choose whether to engage in further
communication.

Available Support for Students

Available Support for Employees

For Students:

Pregnancy-related absences
We know that pregnancy can impact attendance and coursework completion. Pregnant students
have the right to pregnancy-related absences and medically appointed treatments should be
excused. Consideration for flexibility with assignment deadlines during pregnancy-related absences
is an expectation. Please tell us if you need assistance managing absences or coordinating with your
faculty regarding late work submissions that may occur due to pregnancy or postpartum needs.
Students can contact the Title IX Coordinator if they need assistance communicating with faculty
about their needs.

Academic support
If you feel you need added breaks during class, rescheduling exams, parking help, a larger desk etc.,
then we are here to help you work with your faculty. Our team wants to make sure you can focus on
the classroom and will do what we can to make that environment more comfortable for you. Please
contact the Title IX Coordinator to initiate these discussions.

On-campus work responsibility
Let us know if you may need a modification to your on-campus job role (such as sitting v. standing
or exposure to chemicals), and we will work with your campus supervisor to review options.
Contact Human Resources for support with any workplace modifications.

For Employees:

Reasonable Accommodations
“Reasonable Accommodations” for employees are changes to the work environment or the way
things are usually done at work. Such accommodations for pregnant employees might include the
ability to sit or drink water; receive closer parking; have flexible hours; receive appropriately sized
uniforms and safety apparel; receive additional break time to use the bathroom, eat, and rest; take
leave or time off to recover from childbirth; and be excused from strenuous activities and/or
activities that involve exposure to compounds not safe for pregnancy.

Right to privacy
Information regarding pregnancy and related conditions will be shared on a need-to-know basis or
if there is a legitimate business need to know. Information about pregnant students’ requests for
accommodations will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary to provide
reasonable adjustments or modifications. Information about pregnant employees’ requests for
accommodations will be shared with supervisors only to the extent necessary to provide
reasonable accommodations. Faculty and staff will regard all information associated with such
requests as private and will not disclose this information unless necessary.

Lactation Spaces
There is a lactation space available in Brandel Library, room 220. Community members can request
use of this room at the library’s front desk. Individuals in need of private lactation spaces should
contact the Title IX Coordinator via email, titleix@northpark.edu, to identify a space that is
reasonably available to the person’s need while on-campus.

Reporting a concern
To report concerns about discrimination or harassment based on pregnancy or related conditions,
contact the Title IX Coordinator via email titleix@northpark.edu.

Contact Information

Title IX Coordinator
Elizabeth Fedec – (773) 244-5664
Johnson Center, Room 151
Handles student-related concerns

Equal Opportunity Coordinator
Frank Hattula – (773) 244-5601
Old Main, 3rd floor
Handles employee-related concerns

For more information, click here.

 

Report an Incident

 

FAQs

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.

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 Title IX Harassment & Sexual Misconduct Policy, 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@northpark.edu. 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
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
Amanda Hanincik
Room 151, Center for Student Engagement, first floor, Johnson Center

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

 

 

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.

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

 

 

 

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

Initial contact

  • 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.

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

 

The following resources are available to the members of the community:

Training Materials

North Park University Title IX Experience Survey Fall 2023

Archived Resources: