Equal Opportunity College | Western Technical College

Equal Opportunity College

Western Technical College is committed to building and preserving a community where people can work together, free from discrimination, abusive conduct, intimidation and harassment. Discriminating, harassing and retaliatory behavior may be grounds for corrective and disciplinary action, up to and including termination from the College.

Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination

Western Technical College, in compliance with state and federal law, does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, marital status, sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, veteran status, genetic testing or other legislated categories in employment, admissions, programs, or activities.  Western prohibits retaliation against any individuals who bring forth any compliant, orally or in writing, to the College or government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination. Western provides assurance that lack of English reading/speaking skills will not be a barrier to admittance and participation in the College. General inquiries regarding the College’s non-discrimination policies may be directed to:

John Heath
Director of Human Resources
Western Technical College
111 7th Street North
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-785-9464
WI Relay: 711

Western Technical College, en cumplimiento con la ley estatal y federal, no discrimina por edad, raza, color, nacional original, discapacidad, estado civil, sexo, incluyendo orientación sexual e identidad de género, estado de veterano, pruebas genéticas u otro tipo de legislación categorías en empleo, admisiones, programas o actividades. Western prohíbe las represarías contra cualquier individuo que presente un cumplimiento, verbalmente o por escrito, ante el Colegio o el gobierno o contra cualquiera persona que asista o participe en la investigación de cualquiera queja o se oponga a la discriminación. Western proporciona la seguridad de que la falta de habilidades de lectura / conversación en inglés no será una barrera para la admisión y participación en el Colegio. Las consultas generales sobre las políticas de no discriminación del Colegio pueden dirigirse a:

John Heath
Director de Recursos Humanos
Western Technical College
111 7th Street North
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-785-9464​
Relé de WI: 711

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John Health
Director of Human Resources
Western Technical College
111 7th Street North
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-785-9464
WI Relay: 711

Title IX, Campus SaVE Act, and VAWA

Western is committed to providing the essential experience for all students, staff, faculty and visitors. Western strives to provide a safe environment in which students can pursue their education free from the detrimental effects of sexual harassment and misconduct. Title IX of the Higher Education Act of 1972 (Title IX) ensures the College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities. The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE Act) of 2013 and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) ensure that the College implements policies and programs to prevent sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. The College seeks to educate students, faculty, and staff about these issues and to provide a means of recourse for those who believe they have experienced such misconduct. The College reserves the right to respond with whatever measures it deems appropriate to prevent sexual misconduct and preserve the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, staff, and visiting community members.

Questions regarding the College’s Title IX, Campus SaVE Act, and VAWA policies may be directed to:

For Students:
Ge Vang
Manager of Student Life and Integrity
Title IX Coordinator
Western Technical College
411 7th Street North
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-785-9444
WI Relay: 711

For Employees:
Megan Hoffman
Manager of Employment, Compensation and Compliance
Title IX Coordinator
Western Technical College
111 7th St North
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-785-9274
WI Relay: 711

Policy for Provision of Reasonable Accommodation for People with Disabilities

Western Technical College is in compliance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It is the policy of Western Technical College to provide reasonable accommodations (when requested) for qualified individuals with disabilities who are students, potential students, employees or applicants for employment, provided such reasonable accommodation does not place undue hardship on the operations of the College. The College will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal employment and educational opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided in a timely and cost-effective manner upon self-identification, verification and an analysis of solutions. Reasonable accommodations are not mandatory when the person with the disability poses a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.

An individual with a disability is any person who has or acquires a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Temporary, non-chronic impairments of short duration, with little or no long-term or permanent impact, are usually not considered disabilities under the ADA.

A physical or mental impairment is any physiological disorder, disfigurement, or anatomical loss or limitation affecting one or more of the body’s systems, or any mental or psychological disorder acquired as a result of illness, accident or birth.

A qualified individual with a disability is an individual with a disability whose experience, education, and/or training enable the person, with reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential functions of a job or to participate in an educational program.

A reasonable accommodation is the effort made to make adjustments for an impairment by structuring the work or educational environment in a manner that will enable the disabled individual to perform the essential functions of a job or program. Reasonable accommodation includes, but is not limited to, modifying written examinations, making facilities accessible, adjusting work schedules, restructuring jobs, providing assistive devices or equipment, providing readers or interpreters, modifying work sites, and providing services, programs and activities offered in the facility to individuals with disabilities through alternative methods. Students who are in need of specialized personal care such as toileting, feeding, wheelchair pushing, medicating will be expected to have these needs provided by an agent or agency other than Western Technical College.

Undue hardship refers to any accommodation that would be unduly costly, extensive, substantial or disruptive, or that would fundamentally alter the nature or operation of Western Technical College.

Section 504 Disability Non-Discrimination

Western strives to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability against students with disabilities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, regardless of nature or severity, in programs and activities. Questions regarding the College’s 504 policy may be directed to:

For Students:
Kris Follansbee
Manager, Access Services 
Western Technical College
Student Success Center, Room 202
400 7th Street North 
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-785-9875
WI Relay: 711

For Employees:
Megan Hoffman
Manager of Employment, Compensation and Compliance
Western Technical College
111 7th St North
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-785-9274
WI Relay: 711

Provision of Reasonable Accommodation for People with Disabilities

I. Notification

A. Western Technical College will ensure that notification of the policy for provision of Reasonable Accommodation for People with Disabilities is published annually in the college Catalog, in the student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, and by other appropriate means.

II. Procedure

A. When a student wishes to request an accommodation, it is necessary for that individual to use the Student Accommodation Request Form, which may be obtained from Counseling and Case Management Services or Access Services staff members located in the Student Success Center, 400 7th Street North, La Crosse, WI 54601.

Employees are advised to speak to their supervisor regarding requested accommodations, or an employee may obtain an Employee Accommodation Request Form from Section 504 Coordinator, Human Resources Department, Administrative Center, 111 7th Street North, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601, or by telephoning 608-785-9274 or TTY 608-785-9551 or 711 for the State Relay System.

B. Students should return the completed Student Accommodation Request Form to the Instructional Support Specialist. Employees should return the completed Employee Accommodation Request Form to the Section 504 Coordinator (Sec. A).

C. Reasonable accommodation will be provided in a timely manner, but no later than thirty (30) days. Any unresolved requests will be reviewed by the Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Committee for determination concerning any accommodation to be made. The ADA Compliance Committee consists of the Section 504 Coordinator, the Physical Plant Manager, Director of Counseling and Case Management Services, Instructional Support Specialist, selected faculty members and selected students.

D. A student or employee requesting special accommodations or services will be required to provide proof of the disabling condition(s) and limitations resulting from this condition(s).

III. Complaint/Appeal

A. Any student or employee has the right to file a complaint due to alleged failure by Western Technical College to provide requested reasonable accommodation. Individuals claiming they have been denied a requested accommodation under the American With Disabilities Act should file a failure to Provide Requested Accommodation Complaint Form with the Section 504 Coordinator. This form is available from the Section 504 Coordinator at the location listed in paragraph II.A.

B. All complaints of failure to accommodate shall be investigated by the ADA Compliance Committee and a report filed with the President/District Director within two (2) weeks from receipt of the complaint. Final resolution of complaints rests with the President/District Director. The President/District Director shall issue a written decision within thirty (30) days of receipt of the report from the ADA Compliance Committee.

C. If a student or employee believes they have been adversely affected by the President/District Director’s written decision; the complainant may appeal the decision to the District Board within thirty (30) days of receipt of the decision. The District Board shall issue a written decision within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the appeal.

D. The District Board decision shall be subject to review pursuant to Chapter 227, Wisconsin Statutes, and TCS 4 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

E. Nothing in this procedure shall preclude a student’s or employee’s right to seek other avenues of redress outside of the District.

F. No rights or benefits of a student or employee shall be denied because of a filed complaint.