Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that states:

• "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."

• Title IX applies to all educational institutions, both public and private, that receive federal funds. Almost all private colleges and universities must abide by Title IX regulations because they receive federal funding through federal financial aid programs used by their students.
• Specifically, Title IX protection is provided to all members of the CSN Educational Community (including students, faculty, staff, and visitors regardless of sex, gender orientation, gender identity or gender expression).

For an act of alleged sexual harassment to be considered as a Title IX concern it must 1) meet the definition of sexual harassment* under the Title IX Rule and 2) fall within the CSN’s jurisdiction as defined in Title IX Rule.

1. The Definition

   Per Title IX, the act is considered sexual harassment when it meets one or more of the following:

   (1) An employee of the recipient conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the recipient on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
   (2) Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity; or
   (3) “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).

2. Jurisdiction

   For sexual harassment to be considered within the authority of Title IX the alleged conduct must meet the above definition; the act must occur in the Institution’s educational program or activity; and the act occurred against a person within the United States.

*Note: The law uses the phrase sexual harassment to refer to a wide range of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature to include sexual assault, sexual violence, and in some cases it can also include domestic violence, and dating violence.

If all the requirements set by Title IX have been met, then the Office of Institutional Equity will investigate the complaint utilizing the Title IX Grievance Process. Please click on the “Title IX Grievance Procedure” quick link (on the right of the page) to learn about the step by step process involved in a Title IX investigation.

Equal Opportunity in Educational Programs

Title IX requires that equitable opportunities to participate in educational programs be provided to both females and males. These programs include, but are not limited to: Athletics, Course Offerings, Counseling & Counseling materials, Financial Assistance, Student Health & Insurance Benefits, Housing, All other programs and activities offered.

Pregnant and Parenting Students are protected under Title IX:

Title IX protections cover all aspects of the educational program (in and out of the classroom). This includes school-sponsored extracurricular activities, internships, athletics, financial aid, scholarships, career counseling, and lab and clinical work.

Title IX requires the institution to provide pregnant students with services and accommodations that will afford an equal opportunity for successful outcomes. These services may include excused absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as a doctor says it is necessary, and allowing one to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before the medical leave began, which should include the opportunity to make up any work missed while out.

If you would like to report a Title IX complaint, Non-Title IX complaint (for sexual harassment, sexual assault/violence, discrimination, or retaliation), then click on the “Report a Concern” button below to either send an email to the OIE Team, use the online OIE Grievance Form, or contact an OIE Team Member directly by utilizing the phone numbers below.