Welcome

The Office of Equity & Title IX is responsible for ensuring Lawrence University complies with applicable laws and policies regarding discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability.

The Office of Equity & Title IX administers the University’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Retaliation. The office also conducts presentations and training on these topics.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination. It reads in part:

"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." Legal Citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)

Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault. This Office administers the University’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Retaliation.

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities operated by recipients of Federal financial assistance. Lawrence University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability.

Title IX At Lawrence University

Lawrence University's Sexual Misconduct Policy is centered around providing safety and security for students, faculty, and staff, protecting members of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. You can read the interim policy here.

Report versus Complaint

Anyone may report an instance of sexual misconduct. Some members of our LU community, such as our mandated reporters, responsible employees, and campus security authorities are expected to report. A report notifies the Title IX Coordinator of sexual misconduct and triggers a reach-out to any impacted party (also known as a survivor, victim, or complainant). 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.

A complaint of sexual misconduct is a request for action that has been requested in writing by the complainant and deemed appropriate by the Title IX Coordinator. In extreme cases in which the Title IX coordinator believes there is a larger threat to the community, the processes may proceed without the formal request by a complainant. Complaints of sexual harassment or exploitation may be investigated internally or externally or settled by alternative resolution; complaints of sexual assault (non-consensual sexual contact or intercourse) are investigated by an external investigator contracted by the university.

Mandated Reporters

What/Who are mandated reporters?

Known as Responsible Employees under Title IX, mandated reporters must report sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator. Mandated reporters include faculty, administrators (deans), coaches, residence hall directors and CAs, campus safety officers, human resources personnel, and any staff who supervise students or employees.

Confidential Resources

What are confidential resources?

Confidential resources are people who are not required to report misconduct. These resources for Lawrence are counselors, health care providers, ministers, sexual assault crisis centers, and our campus advocate.

Anyone who has experienced sexual assault is encouraged to speak with one of these resources as soon as possible.

Hearing Officer and Investigators

Lawrence University uses outside investigators to minimize conflicts of interest and bias. Before retaining any investigator, the University verifies that the investigator has been trained in accordance with 34 C.F.R. 106.45(b)(1)(iii).

Training

Title IX regulations require institutions to “ensure that Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, receive training on the definition of sexual harassment in § 106.30, the scope of the recipient's education program or activity, how to conduct an investigation and grievance process including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes, as applicable, and how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias.” 34 C.F.R. § 106.45(b)(1)(iii). These regulations also required that the university post “all materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process” on our website. 34 C.F.R. § 106.45(b)(10)(i)(D).

Below, you will find all materials used to train our grievance process administrators. Please be aware that the materials listed below may be protected by copyright and should not be copied or used in any way without the permission of the creating entity.

Title IX Coordinator Training

OCR Webinars

OCR Webinar: Title IX Regulations Addressing Sexual Harassment

US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights Webinar on Title IX Regulations Addressing Sexual Harassment.

OCR 100: An Introduction to Federal Civil Rights Protections in Education

US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights Training: An Introduction to Federal Civil Rights Protections in Education.

OCR Webinar on Due Process Protections under the New Title IX Regulations

US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights Webinar on Due Process Protections under the New Title IX Regulations

Conducting and Adjudicating Title IX Hearings: An Office of Civil Rights Training Webinar

US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights Training on Conducting and Adjudicating Title IX Hearings: An Office of Civil Rights Training Webinar

The First Amendment and Title IX: An Office for Civil Rights Short Webinar

US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights Training on The First Amendment and Title IX: An Office for Civil Rights Short Webinar

OCR Short Webinar on How to Report Sexual Harassment under Title IX

US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights Training on OCR Short Webinar on How to Report Sexual Harassment under Title IX

Office of Civil Rights

Anyone can file a complaint with the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR). To learn more, visit: