Title IX & Sexual Misconduct
MCW's Commitment
MCW is committed to providing a work and learning environment that is free from unlawful discrimination based upon sex, sex-based harassment and retaliation. MCW values and upholds the dignity of all members of the MCW community and strives to balance the rights of individuals in the resolution processes within its Title IX program.
MCW is also committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and learners, as well as ensuring equal educational and employment opportunities and access to services, programs and activities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.
MCW encourages the reporting of prohibited conduct and crimes by any member of the MCW community with knowledge or information concerning a Prohibited Offense in the context of any MCW Educational Activity.
All individuals who believe they have been subjected to or who are accused of Sexual Harassment and other related misconduct are encouraged to and have a right to seek support, utilize available resources, file a formal complaint, and be presumed innocent until a formal grievance process has concluded. MCW is committed to ensuring integrity in its Title IX program and grievance procedure.
In accordance with Title IX, and consistent with MCW’s commitment to ensure a safe learning and working environment, all reports of Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Retaliation are taken seriously. MCW is committed to investigating and adjudicating reports of Sexual Harassment in a timely manner that is fair and equitable to all parties involved.
MCW’s Title IX Steering Committee provides guidance related to MCW policy, resources, education, prevention and ongoing communication to promote awareness. The committee is comprised of school leadership, faculty, staff and students. New members are welcome. Please email TitleIXCoordinator@mcw.edu for more information.
Stop Campus Hazing Act
The definition of hazing is any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that (1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE or the organization, of physical or psychological injury. Report any violations to the MCW Public Safety Office and/or the Title IX Coordinator.
Reporting a Complaint under Title IX
Anyone may make an official and formal report of a Title IX violation to an Official with Authority, the Office of Equal Access, or the Title IX Coordinator. MCW will provide supportive resources and follow the official procedures listed in MCW's Title IX policies Prohibiting Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Education Programs (AD.CC.080) and Accommodation of Pregnancy, Parenting and Related Conditions (AD.CC.090).
Reports can be made to the Title IX Coordinator or to the Office of Equal Access verbally in person or, via telephone, and/or in writing using email or mail at any time, including during non-business hours to:
Katie Kassulke, (414) 955-8668, email TitleIXCoordinator@mcw.edu, or via the USPS mail:
Medical College of Wisconsin
Katie Kassulke
MCW Title IX Coordinator
8701 Watertown Plank Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Office of Equal Access, (414) 955-4858, email EEOaccess@mcw.edu, or via the online notice form to the Office of Equal Access.
To provide a report to an MCW Official with Authority, a party may use the following address for an Official with Authority listed.
Medical College of Wisconsin
(Name of Individual)
8701 Watertown Plank Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226
MCW Officials with Authority:
- Dr. George MacKinnon, Dean, School of Pharmacy
- Dr. Abir El-Alfy, Assistant Dean for Student Services, School of Pharmacy
- Dr. Jose Franco, Senior Associate Dean, School of Medicine, Main campus
- Dr. Jennifer Kusch, Assistant Provost, Student Services, School of Medicine (SOM)
- Dr. Daisy Sahoo, Dean of the Graduate School
- Dr. Lisa Dodson, Campus Dean, Medical School Regional Campuses, Central Wisconsin Campus
- Dr. Matthew Hunsaker, Campus Dean, Medical School Regional Campuses, Green Bay Campus
- Katie Kassulke, Title IX Coordinator
- Elizabeth Drew, Senior Director of the Office of Equal Access
- Adrienne Mitchell, CPO, Vice President of Human Resources and Office of Faculty Affairs
- Dave Feller, Director of Public Safety
Reports can also be made via the other following resources:
- File online via the MCW EthicsPoint Hotline (Can be filed anonymously, however, anonymous reports may limit the ability for MCW to respond effectively)
- Local law enforcement
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights: (800) 421-3481
Training Completed by the MCW Title IX Coordinator
ATIXA
2023 Higher Education Resolution Agreements (PDF) | December 2023
Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
Title IX: An Introduction to the New Regulations (PDF)
Grand River Solutions (request materials from TitleIXCoordinator@mcw.edu)
Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Students | February 2023
Intentionally Inclusive Processes for Title IX | January 2023
Husch Blackwell
Title IX Training for Title IX Team Members (PDF) | June 2024
Title IX & Sexual Harassment Response - Participants in Sexual Harassment policy process (PDF) | Fall 2020
United Educators
2020 Title IX Regulations: A Refresher (PDF) | February 19, 2025
Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU)
Advanced Title IX Investigator Training, Day 1 (PDF) | April 27, 2022
Advanced Title IX Investigator Training, Day 2 (PDF) | April 28, 2022
Decision-Makers: A Deep Dive into Serving in this Critical Role, Day 1 (PDF) | September 2021
Decision-Makers: A Deep Dive into Serving in this Critical Role, Day 2 (PDF) | September 2021
Pregnancy and Parenting
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex – including pregnancy and parental status – in educational programs and activities. Pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions, including but not limited to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, medical conditions related thereto, or recovery therefrom, are also protected by the PUMP Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and all other applicable laws. As such, MCW must treat pregnancy or related conditions in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary medical condition.
MCW has an obligation to take actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to programs and activities. The Title IX Coordinator (or designee) can assist with coordinating specific actions such as providing reasonable modifications based on the specific individual needs of the student/employee based on pregnancy or pregnancy- related conditions to prevent sex discrimination, harassment and retaliation and ensure the student’s/employee’s equal access to MCW’s program and activities once the student/employee, or a person who has a legal right to act on behalf of the student/employee, provides notice to the Title IX Coordinator of the student’s/employee’s pregnancy or related condition(s).
Please review the following resources for additional resources and information:
- Lactation Support Webpage (intranet access required)
- Accommodation of Pregnancy, Parenting and Related Conditions Policy (AD.CC.090)
Bystander Intervention
What is Bystander Intervention?
Bystander Intervention is a prevention strategy that encourages witnesses to take safe action when they see a situation that might lead to sex discrimination and/or sex-based harassment. Bystanders can intervene to impact a situation in a positive way. At MCW, we expect our community members to safely intervene in situations where risky or harmful situations may be occurring such as bullying, harassment, relationship violence, stalking, sexual violence or any other form of violence.
How can you safely intervene?
Here are some helpful strategies you can use to safely intervene depending on the situation. Every person has their own comfort level and style. There is no one correct way to intervene. It takes courage to intervene and being an active bystander can send powerful messages about what is acceptable behavior at MCW. When possible, be an active bystander using the 5 D’s if it is safe to do so.
Direct: Speak up when you see hurtful behavior. Say: “What did you mean by that?”
Delegate: Get help! Bring a friend, call MCW Public Safety or 911.
Distract: Change the topic by asking a question. Say: “Do you want to go get something to eat?”
Document: Write down what is said.
Debrief: Afterwards check in with the victim. Say: “Are you OK?”
For more information about bystander intervention and steps on how you can support someone in need, learn more at RAINN. To speak with someone who is trained to help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-HOPE (4673) or chat online.
Reporting Requirements to External Agencies
MCW will report findings of sexual misconduct to external agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), as required for researchers, as well as, through the credentialing process for clinical providers. MCW may also report findings of sexual misconduct to other institutions of higher education and in response to requests for reference information. By accepting employment with MCW, employees agree to be a part of our culture of professionalism and acknowledge that findings may be reported.