Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states that: “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.”  The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) issues regulations on Title IX.  These regulations require every educational institution to have a Title IX Coordinator to oversee compliance with all aspects of the sexual and/or gender-based harassment, discrimination, and misconduct policy.    

A complaint of sexual misconduct is a request for action by the university.  Complaints of sexual harassment or exploitation may be investigated internally or externally or settled by mediation; complaints of sexual assault (non-consensual sexual contact or intercourse) are investigated by an external investigator contracted by the university.

A report notifies the Title IX Coordinator of sexual misconduct.  Reports may be used to begin a conversation about available resources, connect individuals to appropriate support services, identify trends, enhance campus safety, and address needs. They are not formally investigated unless they indicate a pattern, predator, threats, violence, or weapons.

Under Title IX, anyone with supervisory responsibility is considered a responsible employee who must report sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator.  Responsible employees include faculty, administrators (deans), coaches, residence hall directors and RLAs, campus safety officers, human resources personnel, and any staff who supervise students or employees.

Confidential resources who are not required to report misconduct are counselors, health care providers, ministers, sexual assault crisis centers, campus advocate and our designated faculty/staff confidential resources. Anyone who has experienced sexual assault is encouraged to speak with one of these sources as soon as possible.

Emily Bowles (interim)
Room 101 Brokaw Hall
920-832-7496
titleix@lawrence.edu

The Title IX Coordinator addresses issues related to sexual misconduct, sexual assault, relationship and interpersonal violence, sex- and gender-based discrimination or harassment, and gender equity. The Title IX Coordinator also works with all parties involved in the complaint process to ensure a fair, equitable, and timely response. They are available as a private resource to anyone in the Lawrence community.