Civil Rights and Compliance

Madison College is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive experience for all members of the campus community. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990 (ADA) provide that no qualified individual with a disability be denied access to or participation in services, programs, and activities at Madison College.

These acts, as well as Wisconsin state law and Madison College policy (PDF), apply to virtually all aspects of campus activities, including employment, student programming, and services provided to the community at large.

• Disability Resource Services is committed to providing services and support for students with disabilities.
• Human Resources supports accommodation requests for prospective students, applicants, employees, and the general public. Call Human Resources at 608.246.6900 to discuss needs.

General Campus Information

Accessible Parking Maps

Madison College’s ADA/504 Coordinators

The college’s ADA/504 Coordinators monitor the college’s compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to support equal access for individuals with disabilities. You can also contact any of the ADA/504 Coordinators with questions or needs.

ADA/504 Coordinator - Students & Community Members
Geraldo VilaCruz, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President/Dean of Students
Dean of Students Office
1701 Wright Street, Room D1618AL
Madison, WI 53704
gvilacruz@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6442

ADA/504 Coordinator - Employees, Vendors & Third Parties
Lisa Muchka, MS
Compliance Director
Human Resources Department
1701 Wright Street, Room AB121K
Madison, WI 53704
muchka@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.5221

Reporting Disability Discrimination

If you believe that you have been discriminated against, you may report to the college without fear of retaliation. Madison College will respond within three working days to reported allegations.

To receive information about options and procedures available, contact Civil Rights and Compliance at civilrightsandcompliance@madisoncollege.edu.

Response to Allegations

The ADA/504 Coordinator or designee will analyze the report to determine the appropriate method for responding to conduct that could be considered a violation of college policy or is not aligned with college values.

Madison College complies with the Clery Act by providing the campus community with timely, complete, and accurate collection of crime data along with security and safety policies. These statistics and policies are published and distributed to the public every year in the Madison College Annual Security Report (PDF).

The Clery Act is a federal law enacted in 1990 and officially known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which requires institutions of higher education participating in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses.

Clery Compliance Officer 
Lisa Muchka, MS 
Compliance Director 
Human Resources Department 
1701 Wright Street, Room AB121K 
Madison, WI 53704 
muchka@madisoncollege.edu 
608.246.5221

Bias is a broad category of behaviors that demean or intimidate individuals or groups. Madison College defines a bias incident as any discriminatory or hurtful act that appears to be motivated by identity characteristics, including race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex/gender, disability, arrest/conviction record, marital status, parental status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, veteran status, use of outside lawful products, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Bias incidents can occur in a variety of settings but have one factor in common: they create a negative environment and frequently have a negative psychological, emotional, or physical effect on an individual or community.

Reporting Incidents of Bias

If you believe that you have experienced a bias-motivated incident, you may report to the college without fear of retaliation. Madison College will respond within three working days to reported allegations. 

To receive information about options and procedures available, please contact civilrightsandcompliance@madisoncollege.edu or call 608.246.6900. Or submit the Bias Incident Report and Support Form.

Response to Acts of Bias

The Equal Opportunity Officer or designee will analyze the report to determine the appropriate method for responding to conduct that could be considered a violation of college policy or is not aligned with college values.

The Drug-Free Schools and Community Act (PDF) (DFSCA) of 1989 (Public Law 101-226, 20 U.S.C. § 1011) is a federal law that requires institutions of higher education receiving Federal funding to adopt and implement a drug and alcohol abuse education and prevention program (DAAPP). The purpose of DFSCA is to ensure that current students, employees, and other interested members of the public are provided information regarding the educational, disciplinary, health and legal consequences of illegal drug use and alcohol abuse.

Madison College prohibits the unlawful or unauthorized possession, use, sale, or distribution of alcohol and other drugs by employees and students in the workplace, on college property, or as part of any campus activity. It is the intent of Madison College to uphold all local, state and federal laws concerning the possession, use and sale of alcohol and controlled substances, and will support campus community efforts to reduce or eliminate violations of such laws. Employee or student violators are subject to disciplinary action.

Madison College provides equal employment opportunity and ensures affirmative action in all personnel actions. Affirmative Action is implemented in all employment practices including but not limited to: recruitment, hiring, transfers, promotions, training, layoffs, terminations, retention, certification, and testing and committee appointments. The Civil Rights and Compliance Office, working with other college stakeholders, is responsible for affirmative action planning. 

Any complaints regarding the affirmative action plan (PDF) can be filed internally with Civil Rights and Compliance or externally with the Wisconsin Department of Administration at 101 E. Wilson St., Madison, Wisconsin 53702.

Lisa Muchka, MS 
Compliance Director 
Human Resources Department 
1701 Wright Street, Room AB121K 
Madison, WI 53704
muchka@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.5221

Madison College is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and allows every member to thrive. The college’s Equal Opportunity, Anti-harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy (PDF) is guided by federal and state laws and protects members of the college community from harassment and discrimination on any basis prohibited by law including those covered by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Protected Bases

Discrimination is defined as an unfair or unequal treatment on the actual or perceived basis of:  

• Age
• Ancestry
• Arrest or conviction record
• Creed
• Disability
• Gender identity
• Genetic testing
• Marital status
• Military service
• Race, color, national origin
• Political affiliation
• Sex or sexual orientation
• The use or non-use of lawful products during non-working hours

A link must be established between (1) membership in a protected class and (2) the alleged discriminatory conduct to qualify as discriminatory harassment under college policy. An individual’s mere membership in one or more protected classes coupled with an event that is displeasing to that person, does not establish that discrimination occurred on a protected basis. There must be an evident connection between protected class membership and the alleged discriminatory conduct.  

Madison College’s Equal Opportunity Officers

The college’s Equal Opportunity Officers monitor the college’s compliance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act to support an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Geraldo VilaCruz, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President/Dean of Students
Dean of Students Office
1701 Wright Street, Room D1618AL
Madison, WI 53704
gvilacruz@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6442

Lisa Muchka, MS
Compliance Director
Human Resources Department
1701 Wright Street, Room AB121K
Madison, WI 53704
muchka@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.5221

Reporting Harassment/Discrimination

If you believe that you have experienced harassment and/or discrimination, you may report to the college without fear of retaliation. Madison College will respond within three working days to reported allegations.

To receive information about options and procedures available please contact one the college’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer.

Response to Harassment/Discrimination Allegations

The Equal Opportunity Officer or designee will analyze the report to determine the appropriate method for responding to conduct that could be considered a violation of college policy or is not aligned with college values. Madison College’s Harassment/Discrimination Grievance Process (PDF) seeks to ensure a thorough, reliable and impartial investigation and resolution based on evidence.

Madison College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in employment, admissions or its programs or activities. Madison College offers degrees, diplomas, apprenticeships and certificates in Architecture & Engineering; Arts, Design & Humanities; Business; Construction, Manufacturing & Maintenance; Culinary, Hospitality & Fitness; Education & Social Services; Health Sciences; Information Technology; Law, Protective & Human Services; Science, Math & Natural Resources; and Transportation. Admissions criteria vary by program and are available by calling our Enrollment Office at 608.246.6210. The following person has been designated to coordinate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and to handle inquiries regarding the college’s nondiscrimination policies:

Lisa Muchka, Compliance Director  
1701 Wright Street, Room AB121K 
Madison, WI 53704 
muchka@madisoncollege.edu 
608.246.5221

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement information provided by the state concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders to provide notice of each institution of higher education in the state which the person is employed, carries a vocation or is a student. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections supplies information to Madison College Public Safety Services regarding registered sex offenders who are enrolled or employed at Madison College.

The law and College policy require applicable students to self-disclose as a registered sex offender with Public Safety. Public Safety Services maintains a list of registered sex offenders who are enrolled in Madison College classes and/or programs. The list is accessible from the Public Safety Services main office location at the Truax Campus.

In Wisconsin, convicted sex offenders must register with the Department of Corrections; the registry can be found online at https://appsdoc.wi.gov/public.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination at educational institutions that receive federal funding. Under Title IX, sexual discrimination includes harassment on the basis of sex. This can take many forms including:

• Verbal or written harassment
• Sexual assault, including rape and other unwanted sexual touching
• Stalking (when done on the basis of sex)
• Dating or domestic violence

The college’s Equal Opportunity, Anti-harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy (PDF) is guided by federal and state laws and protects members of the college community from harassment and discrimination on any basis prohibited by law including those covered by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Madison College's Title IX Coordinators

The Title IX Coordinators ensure that the process for addressing complaints of sex-based harassment and misconduct are handled promptly and equitably, with fairness to everyone involved. They make certain that anyone who comes to them understands their rights and has the information they need to determine what to do next. The coordinators also help develop sexual discrimination and sexual violence prevention initiatives, including trainings for students, faculty and staff.

Title IX Coordinator - Students and Community Members
Geraldo VilaCruz, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President/Dean of Students
Dean of Students Office
1701 Wright Street, Room D1618AL
Madison, WI 53704
gvilacruz@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6442

Title IX Coordinator - Employees, Vendors and Third Parties 
Lisa Muchka, MS 
Compliance Director 
Human Resources Department 
1701 Wright Street, Room AB121K 
Madison, WI 53704 
muchka@madisoncollege.edu 
608.246.5221

Reporting Sexual Harassment

If you believe that you have experienced sex-based harassment and/or discrimination, you may report to the college without fear of retaliation. Madison College will respond within three working days to reported allegations.

To receive information about options and procedures available contact one of the college’s Title IX Coordinators.

Response to Sexual Harassment

The Title IX Coordinator or designee will analyze the report to determine the appropriate method for responding to conduct that could be considered a violation of college policy or is not aligned with college values. Madison College’s Title IX/Sexual Harassment Grievance Process seeks to ensure a thorough, reliable and impartial investigation and resolution based on evidence.

Pregnant and Parenting

According to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, students must be allowed to take time off school for past, potential or current pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy (abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth), lactation, recovery and all related medical conditions. 

Our Title IX Coordinator supports Student Pregnancy-Related Modification requests for pregnant and parenting students.

Concerns about denial of accommodations or refusal of support should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator using the Harassment / Discrimination Report Form.

Lactation Rooms

Madison College designates lactation rooms which allow people to express milk in privacy and comfort. Please note that the college does not provide storage for breast milk. 

View additional resources for pregnant and parenting students
 

Title IX Team Training

Those involved in the Title IX and Sexual Harassment Grievance Process receive ongoing training in compliance with 34 C.F.R. § 106.45(b)(1)(iii) and any other applicable federal or state law.

These training sessions are provided to Madison College officials with responsibilities under the Grievance Process, as described in the College’s Equal Opportunity, Anti-harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy.

Trauma-informed Interviewing Techniques | November 15, 2023 
Provided by: RCC: Sexual Violence Resource Center 
This session provides interviewing techniques for a trauma-informed approach to investigations involving victims of sexual violence. The presentation is consistent with information provided to law enforcement professionals 
Attendees: Lara Baehr, Eric Barber, Annie Duchek, Jenni McKay-Sillman, Lisa Muchka, Kayla Peetz, Katie Rikli
View Trauma-informed Interviewing Techniques training materials (PDF)

WTCS Legal Issues Conference: Title IX Updates | October 26, 2023 
Provided by: Lindsey Davis / Quarles 
This session provides overview of proposed updates to the Title IX regs, and implications of those changes should they go into effect.
Attendee: Jenni McKay-Sillman 
View WTCS Legal Issues Conference training materials (PDF)

2023 Compliance Symposium: Creating an effective anti-harassment policy | July 20, 2023 
Provided by: Attorney Bob Gregg / BoardmanClark 
This session provides definitions of harassment and discrimination, relevant state and federal laws, implications of case findings and best practices for developing effective institutional policy.
Attendees: Jenni McKay-Sillman, Kayla Peetz 
View 2023 Compliance Symposium training materials (PDF)

The Clery Act, VAWA and Title IX: Implications for Sexual Misconduct Response and Investigations | May 3, 2023 
Provided by: Cupa-HR 
Join us as we explore the current intersection of the Clery Act, VAWA and Title IX (and anticipate what may change based on draft new reg language.) The presenter will discuss the major requirements of each law and how these requirements relate to institutions’ sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination policies and procedures for employees and students. You'll gain a better understanding of how to determine jurisdiction of an offense for Title IX purposes, as well as how to ensure that all VAWA offenses, whether they fall under Title IX or not, comply with the requirements of the Clery Act. 
Attendee: Lisa Muchka 
View The Clery Act, VAWA and Title IX training materials (PDF)

Title IX Coordinator Five: Bias and Cultural Competencies | April 3-4, 2023  
Provided by: ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators)
Coordinator Level Five: Bias and Cultural Competencies is a two-day course focused on developing an understanding of bias, cultural competency, and intersectionality in Title IX work. Participants will engage in a variety of individual and group activities to explore their own biases and the potential impacts on Title IX work. ATIXA recommends that all Title IX team members – whether new or more seasoned – complete this course. 
Attendee: Annie Duchek
View Title IX Coordinator Five training materials (PDF)

Civil Rights Investigator Two | March 1-2, 2023 
Provided by: ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators) 
Level Two investigator training is an intermediate level of training that builds on your skill set with more nuanced questioning techniques, a strong focus on questioning, record keeping and note-taking, managing complex investigations, and a topical exploration that broadens beyond the sexual misconduct focus of Level One. This training builds strong skills with frequent exercises and case studies that allow for high levels of interaction, analysis, and the application of various civil rights investigation techniques. 
Attendee(s): Annie Duchek
View Civil Rights Investigator Two training materials (PDF)

Investigation Report Writing | February 23, 2023 
Provided by: ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators) 
Take a one-day deep dive into the writing mechanics, format, structure, and best practices for investigation report writing for higher education institutions. Topics include managing sensitive information, integrating quotations, incorporating feedback from the parties post-review, and more. 
Attendee(s): Kayla Peetz
View Investigation Report Writing training materials (PDF)

Single-Sex Programs Under Title IX: Law & Best Practices | February 20, 2023 
Provided by: ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators) 
ATIXA’s experts will lead a discussion about single-sex programs and disparate treatment. First, attendees will learn about disparate treatment on the basis on sex, including distinguishing disparate treatment from disparate impact and how to analyze, investigate, and resolve a disparate treatment complaint. Next, the discussion will center on single-sex programs, exploring which single-sex programs the Title IX regulations permit and how to implement them. Lastly, the course material will touch on scholarships and any Title IX dimensions that may apply. 
Attendees: Lisa Muchka, Kayla Peetz, Geraldo VilaCruz
View Single-Sex Programs Under Title IX training materials (PDF)