Now that you’re enrolled and actively taking classes, it is important for you to understand that as a student within a federally funded institution, you have certain rights. One of the big ones is awarded to you through Title IX, a landmark civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs that receive federal financial assistance.
Long story short, in 1972, Congress passed the Title IX statue, which simply states, “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,” except under certain circumstances.
This law can be applied to multiple different education-related categories, as well as applies to students, faculty and staff:
- Athletics: Ensures equal opportunity, facilities, and scholarship allocation to students of all genders.
- STEM and Academics: Guarantees equal access to educational programs, especially in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
- Pregnancy and Parenting: Protects students from discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth or parental status.
- Sexual Harassment and Violence: Obligates schools to address and investigate sexual harrassment, assault and violence.
Obviously, the goal would be to never have to deal with any form of discrimination while attending school, but it’s better to be prepared in the chance that it does. In this case, every publicly funded institution has a task force or designated individuals to handle sensitive issues like Title IX. First and foremost, if you or anyone you may know has experienced any form of sex-based discrimination, it is highly recommended and encouraged that students report any and all problems. This is not the type of situation that will or should be swept under the rug.
As stated on Langston University’s website, University policy ensures, “equal employment and educational opportunity on the basis of merit without discrimination because of age, race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veterans’ status, or disability.“
To that point, Langston has two Title IX administrators on campus.
- Soncearay Higgins, Title IX Coordinator, (405) 466-3223
- Marquita Bailey, Title IX Deputy Coordinator, (405) 466-3238
Now, you may consult the faculty and staff of your choosing, but just understand that if you want the proper processes to take place, you must report the issue to the coordinators. And in the face of an investigation, if you have any type of physical, digital or written evidence that supports your allegation, make sure you use it.
Despite whether it’s during or after an incident related to Title IX, if you feel as though you still need to talk to a third-party professional, Langston has multiple counselors whose offices reside on the first floor of the Women’s University building. If you need guidance on how to make a report, the counselors will be more than happy to assist.
In addition to counseling, the Langton University Wellness Center offers an array of services related to mental and physical health, as well as emergency services. Some of those services include virtual therapy assistance, group therapy crisis intervention, parent information, consultations, etc.
The more utilized part of the Wellness center would be the Langston University Health Clinic, which is also located on the first floor of the Women’s University Building. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, the clinic is currently operated by a Nurse Practitioner and a fully licensed nurse who can professionally diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications as needed. The clinic also provides the following services:
- Diagnosis and treatment of common ailments;
- Women’s exams;
- Sexually transmitted infections (STI) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing;
- Flu shots; and
- Preventative education.
In case you weren’t aware, college-aged individuals (15-24) make up for roughly half of all sexually transmitted diseases, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please do not feel ashamed if you need sexual-health related help or testing. Although unfortunate, it is so common and happens to the best of them. If you don’t feel comfortable enough to seek help on campus, there are many local options that offer just as many if not more health-related services.
- Mary Mahoney Health Center at Langston, located in the towns center near Langston City Hall;
- Logan County Health Department, located at the Logan County Fairgrounds;
- Xpress Wellness Urgent Care, located just off Division Street in Guthrie, OK;
- Mercy Hospital Logan County, which is a straight shot down Academy Road when driving through Guthrie.
Your sexual health is something you need to stay on top of. Even if you’re not the most sexually active person out there, I still recommend getting tested at least once a year owing to the simple fact that untreated STI and/or STD can cause potentially serious, permanent or deadly symptoms. Even if it can be a little embarrassing, any good health professionals are trained to handle these situations and will treat you with respect and dignity. So just do yourself the favor and be safe rather than sorry.
Sasha Ndisabiye
Sasha Ndisabiye is a 2024 graduate of Langston University with a degree in broadcast journalism. She previously served as Editor-in-Chief of The Gazette.
