Federal Compliance Checklist

As a recipient of federal funds, Renton Technical College is committed to being the place where students find their place and providing equal access to programs and activities in compliance with the most recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Education.

Dr. Yoshiko Harden has appointed a Federal Compliance Task Force to review college-sponsored events and activities to ensure compliance with federal non-discrimination laws, specifically Title VI (race/ethnicity) and Title IX (sex).

Organizers of college-sponsored or college-promoted programs and activities, including employee and student affinity group events, must ensure that programming is open to all by following these protocols. Complete the Renton Technical College Federal Compliance Checklist to ensure your programming complies.

Key Requirements

• Eligibility cannot be based on race or sex.
• Programs and activities cannot rely on personal identity (including race or gender) as a qualification, selection criterion, or factor in decision-making.
• Permissible criteria may include groups not tied to protected classes (such as first generation, low income, economically disadvantaged) if they are not used as proxies for race or sex.
• Opportunities must be open to all. Even if a program has a stated focus or goal (such as encouraging women in technology), both the language and actions must make clear that participation is open to everyone. This message must be prominently included in all print and digital communications.
• No differential treatment. Programs and activities may not treat individuals preferentially, exclude participants, or create hostile environments based on race or sex. This includes patterns of stereotyping or discouraging participation.

Guidance for Instructors

This checklist does not apply to course content or classroom instruction. However, instructors should ensure that the criteria for selecting students for projects, class opportunities, or coursework are not based on protected classes.

Scholarship Opportunities

Federal enforcement agencies have stated that colleges may not promote or advertise third-party scholarships or programs that restrict eligibility or participation based on race or sex. The RTC Foundation provides scholarships based on financial need, merit, and area of study.

Questions about compliance? Please contact the Federal Compliance Task Force Chairs Doris Martinez and Jacob Jackson at FederalComplianceTaskforce@rtc.edu before posting or promoting events, activities, or opportunities.