Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities. All public and private elementary and secondary schools, school districts, colleges, and universities receiving any federal assistance must comply with Title IX (U.S. Department of Education, 2014). Under Title IX regulations, institutions such as Mount St. Joseph University have the obligation of ensuring that every student has access to educational opportunities and that an environment is created that allows all campus community members to be successful.
Mount’s Policy on Prohibited Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence, Sexual Misconduct and Stalking
Sexual harassment of students and employees, which includes sexual misconduct including assault or acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination. Sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent due to the victim’s use of drugs or alcohol or intellectual or other disability. A number of different acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including rape, sexual battery, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. All such acts of sexual violence are forms of sexual harassment covered under Title IX and referenced and addressed in the Clery Act and the Campus Violence Elimination Act (SaVE Act), passed as part of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA). These recent amendments to the Clery Act do not alter the University’s responsibility under Title IX to respond to and prevent sexual violence.
Sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual conduct threaten the freedom and the very person of others. The University strives to eliminate all forms of sexual harassment and violence. Therefore, the University will not tolerate sexually harassing or violent conduct, including offenses of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, against any member of the University community on University premises or any other locations where members of the University community are together because of assigned or University- sanctioned activities. Employees or students who violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including potential termination of employment, or suspension or dismissal from the University. Inappropriate or unprofessional remarks or conduct may be reason for intervention and discipline whether or not they are actually harassing.