Sexual Misconduct & Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs and activities. 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.
Sexual harassment (which includes sexual violence and assault) is a form of sex discrimination and therefore a violation of Title IX. Specific behaviors that are prohibited by Title IX include rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity; stalking; and relationship violence that is gender-based. Many behaviors that violate Title IX also constitute crimes. Title IX also prohibits discrimination of pregnant and parenting students.
Discrimination and Harassment
No employee will be disciplined, harassed, intimidated or retaliated against for discussing workplace issues, concerns and complaints or for utilizing the grievance policy/procedure. For staff employees, informal and formal complaints will be handled by the Office of Equity. For faculty, informal and formal complaints will be handled through the Faculty Grievance Procedure, as described in the Faculty Handbook. Any supervisor who is approached by an employee about filing a grievance will give the employee a copy of this procedure without commenting as to the appropriateness of the complaint.