Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is enacted by Congress and is signed into law by President Richard Nixon, prohibiting sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving any type of federal financial aid.Title IX began its journey through all three branches of government when Representative Patsy T. Mink, of Hawaii, who is recognized as the major author and sponsor of the legislation, introduced it in Congress.

Title IX applies to schools, local and state educational agencies, and other institutions that receive federal financial assistance from the Department. These recipients include approximately 17,600 local school districts, over 5,000 postsecondary institutions, and charter schools, for-profit schools, libraries, and museums. Also included are vocational rehabilitation agencies and education agencies of 50 states, the District of Columbia, and territories of the United States.

OCR vigorously enforces Title IX to ensure that institutions that receive federal financial assistance from the Department comply with the law. OCR evaluates, investigates, and resolves complaints alleging sex discrimination. OCR also conducts proactive investigations, through directed investigations or compliance reviews, to examine potential systemic violations based on sources of information other than complaints.

In addition to its enforcement activities, OCR provides information and guidance to schools, universities and other educational institutions and agencies to assist them in voluntarily complying with the law.

Complainant refers to an individual who alleges that they experienced sexual misconduct or discrimination that could violate the Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Policy

• Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy
• Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Policy

Respondent refers to an individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conductthat could constitute a violation of this Policy. A Respondent is also a party.

• Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy
• Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Policy

Witness refers to a person who may have information relevant to a Report or Formal Complaint of conduct that could violate the Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Policy. This includes a person who may have observed the acts in question, who may be able to provide contextual information, or who may have other related information.  A Witness may be a student, an employee, or a Third-Party.

• Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy
• Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity Policy

A Report is an account of Prohibited Conduct that allegedly occurred that has been provided to the university by the Complainant, a Witness, or an anonymous source.

A Formal Complaint is a document filed by a Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging a violation of the Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy and requesting that the university investigate the allegation of the policy violation.  A Formal Complaint begins the complaint resolution process as set forth in section 10 General Provisions for Complaint Resolution Process below. For more information on the OEC processes, please view our flow chart.

• See the Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy for a full explanation of all policy sections

Sexual Misconduct, as used in the Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy, means the following forms of sex discrimination and other misconduct: Title IX Sexual Harassment, Non-Title IX Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Sexual Exploitation.

• Sexual Misconduct Policy

The university strictly prohibits the following offenses: Title IX Sexual Harassment, Non-Title IX Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Sexual Exploitation, as well as discrimination and harassment based on a legally protected status.

• See the Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy for a full explanation of all policy sections

Liberty is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals involved in a Report or Formal Complaint of Prohibited Conduct. The university will protect a Complainant’s confidentiality to the extent possible, regardless of whether the Complainant specifically requests confidentiality, and will keep confidential the identity of any individual who has made a report or filed a Formal Complaint alleging a violation of this Policy, as well as any Complainant, Respondent, and Witness, except as permitted by law or to carry out the complaint resolution process pursuant to this Policy.

• See the Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy for a full explanation of all policy sections

Coercion is conduct or intimidation that would compel an individual to do something against their will by: (1) the use of physical force, (2) threats of severely-damaging consequences, or (3) pressure that would reasonably place an individual in fear of severely-damaging consequences.

• See the Liberty University Sexual Misconduct Policy for a full explanation of all policy sections

Incapacitation means the physical and/or mental inability to understand the fact, nature, or extent of the sexual situation. Incapacitation may result from mental or physical disability, sleep, unconsciousness, involuntary physical restraint, or from the influence of drugs or alcohol.