Title IX Administration
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 discrimination, sex-based harassment and sexual misconduct. This Office administers the University’s Title IX Policy.
Lawrence University's Title IX Policy is centered around providing safety and security for students, faculty, and staff, protecting members of any gender identity, gender expression, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, and sex stereotypes,. You can read the Lawrence Title IX policy.
Submitting a report/complaint
Anyone may report an instance of protected class discrimination/harassment and/or 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. Complainants may also request specific actions, such as supportive measures, discussing informal resolutions or starting an investigation. Complainants may also choose to do nothing further with a report.
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 discrimination/harassment of an individual's gender identity, gender expression, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, and sex stereotypes, 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 train all employees regarding sex discrimination and sex-based harassment. Additionally, individuals involved with administering the resolution and grievance process must also be trained to fulfill their role appropriately. Lawrence University, in accordance with the regulations, will make available upon request for inspection by members of the public regardless of whether a recipient maintains a website. All employees are required to be trained on Title IX regulations, including definitions and reporting, on an annual basis.
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: