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ANNOUNCEMENT OF
NEW 2024 TITLE IX REGULATIONS
&
A FUTURE UPDATED UNIVERSITY POLICY
CLICK HERE TO FILE A REPORT AT:
REPORTSEXUALMISCONDUCT.SEWANEE.EDU
April 2024
On April 19, 2024, the Biden Administration and Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, released a 1557-page document which includes updated changes to the current enforcement of Title IX. The Biden Administration's new regulations require that all higher education and K-12 programs and activities come into compliance with the new regulations by August 1, 2024. These regulations cover protections for all faculty, staff, students, and participants of the University's programs and activities.
What you will find below is a comparison of the old vs. the new regulations and information for students, faculty, staff and parents. The Title IX Office looks forward to providing continued training and education to the Sewanee campus community.
Shortened Timeline of Changes to the Title IX Regulations & Sewanee's
Title IX Office
On June 23, 1972, Title IX was signed into Congress. Although Sewanee had several employees who focused on Title IX as a part-time function of their role, Sewanee gained a full-time Title IX Office in July 2018. At that time, the Office followed the Obama era federal guidelines regarding Title IX. In May 2020, the Trump Administration created new Title IX guidelines. Now, in April 2024, The Biden Administration has released new Title IX federal guidelines that must be in effect by August 2024.
Sewanee gets a full-time Title IX Office managed by one full-time staff person.
AUGUST
2011
Obama Administration issues a 2011 Dear Colleague letter, increasing national attention on campus sexual violence. A 2014 follow-up
Q & A is also released.
JULY
2018
Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, under the Trump Administration, releases a 2,033 page document including sweeping changes to the enforcement of Title IX. Schools were required to be in compliance by August 2020.
MAY
2020
The Biden Administration formally announces it will replace the DeVos rule with its own regulation.
Sewanee's Title IX Office expands to two people in May 2021
JUNE
2021
Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education, under the Biden Administration, releases a 1,557 page document broadening the scope of discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
APRIL
2024
DeVos (under the Trump Administration) withdrew the Obama Administration’s 2011 guidance and the 2014 follow-up Q&A.
SEPTEMBER 2017
COVID PANDEMIC
The Biden Administration releases a follow-up Q & A document to assist with the implementation of the Trump era regulations
JULY 2021 & JUNE
2022
50th Anniversary of Title IX
MAJOR COMPARISONS OF NEW VS OLD
REGULATIONS
Please always refer to the Title IX website for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the University's Title IX & Sex Discrimination Policy
CLICK FOR THE CURRENT
TITLE IX & SEX DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Click here for a general flow chart of the current Title IX process
(found on the Title IX website)
Major
Comparisons
2011 - 2019
Obama Regulations
The University was required to:
Utilize a broad definition of sex discrimination (i.e. sexual misconduct that was severe or pervasive, including various gender-based misconduct)
Accept all requests from individuals who want to pursue an investigation
Have hearing processes that kept all individuals from having to see each other or be cross-examined, but individuals could hear each other
Allow informal processes except in cases of sexual assault
Different procedures for student cases and employee cases
2024
Biden Regulations
The University will be allowed and/or required to:
Utilize updated and broadened definitions that include clarity around “sex-based harassment”; the scope of sex discrimination, including schools’ obligations not to discriminate based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Accept complaints from individuals who meet the definition of complainant and want to pursue an investigation with relevant evidence.
Procedural flexibility on how to conduct live hearings and cross examinations.
Informal processes allowed for all cases including cases involving students and employees
Same process and procedures apply under the University Policy
Utilize a more narrow definition that only includes sexual harassment as defined by the Office for Civil Rights (i.e. sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking)
Deny requests for investigations that do not meet the standard of sexual harassment defined in the regulations; however, the case may be heard under other disciplinary processes
All individuals must be able to see and hear each other during a hearing and cross-examination is allowed by the involved party's advisor
Informal processes allowed for all cases except cases involving students and employees
Everyone must follow the same process and procedure
2020
Trump Regulations
The University is required to:
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The vast majority of the changes that are found in a University's Title IX policy are not discretionary. This means that they are required by the Department of Education and will be enforced by the Office for Civil Rights.
Although there are various upcoming procedural changes, a few things remain the same. For instance, an investigation is not required in order to obtain support options. Individuals who file complaints may withdraw their complaint or their participation in the process at any time. In addition, our faculty, staff, Proctors, FYP Mentors, PRE Mentors, SOP Ambassadors, and Orientation Leaders are still mandatory reporters (some exceptions apply). Mandatory reporters are required to share all of what they know in regard to sex-based incidents with the Title IX Office. Reports can still be filed anonymously unless you are a mandatory reporter. Training will still be required on an annual basis. Finally, the Title IX Office is not a discipline office, but remains as a resource to assist individuals in navigating a complaint while upholding the University's commitment to foster an environment free of sex based discrimination and harassment.
See below to find some helpful information on how to stay aware of future updates from the Title IX Office.
Things to Know, Support, Resources, and Ways to Stay Aware...
STUDENTS
Be sure to read all notifications and emails from the Title IX Office that will further explain other updates and changes regarding the new regulations and University policies.
Know who your Title IX Coordinator is and how to contact them. Do not be afraid to ask for support options regarding Title IX incidents. You can also simply talk to your Title IX Coordinator
Do not be afraid to file a report. Click here to file a report at: "ReportSexualMisconduct.sewanee.edu."
Utilize our peer support groups such as STIX for education and assistance (see more on the Title IX website).
Complete your required training on VECTOR (see Title IX website) and attend programs so that you can ask questions in order to keep yourself and others safe, supported, and knowledgeable
FACULTY
& STAFF
If you have not completed your required Title IX training, please go to the Title IX website and click on VECTOR to complete your training.
Remember that faculty and staff are still mandatory reporters.
The way you've offered support to students and colleagues in the past does not change, but always ask the Title IX Coordinator for assistance or support as a thought partner.
Use the reporting form to file a report (No Need to Wait to Talk to the Title IX Coordinator): "ReportSexualMisconduct.sewanee.edu."
Remember that Title IX policy and procedures also extend to faculty, staff, and participants! So be familiar with them!
PARENTS, GUARDIANS, & FAMILY
Review the Title IX policy and feel invited to contact the Title IX office with any questions.
Remember that anyone with knowledge of an issue of sex discrimination can file a report. Click below to file a report: "ReportSexualMisconduct.sewanee.edu."
Encourage your student to talk with the Title IX office, attend programs, complete trainings, or file a report when they have knowledge of an issue of sex discrimination.
Click here to learn more about how to download the LiveSafe App where you can also file reports.
Click here to learn more about how to download the LiveSafe App where you can also file reports.
Click here to learn more about how to download the LiveSafe App where you can also file reports.
Request data to review your organization's history with Title IX and other forms of discrimination. Request custom Title IX Posters for your student org!
Remember that Title IX is a resource and not a discipline office.
IT'S ON ALL OF US!
Take the
TN Together
CLIMATE Survey
for ALL students 18+
CLICK THE LINK OR SCAN THE QR CODE TO TAKE THE CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY BEFORE FINALS! THIS SURVEY HELPS US LEARN ABOUT AND IMPROVE YOUR EXPERIENCES ON OUR CAMPUS WITH:
Sexual Misconduct
Mental Health
Social Wellbeing
Substance Use
SCAN ABOVE OR
CLICK THE LINK BELOW: https://www.research.net/r/SEWANEE_TNTHE
*Swag Bags to those who complete the survey
Survey slated to close around finals
Title IX Coordinator Contact Information
Name: Dr. Sylvia Gray
Email: titleix@sewanee.edu
Phone: 931-598-1420
Office: EQB Annex, 104-A
Website: new.sewanee.edu/title-ix/
*Click the info above to access the Title IX webpage.
The University of the South does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in admission and employment.
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