Title IX
& Sexual Misconduct
What is Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Combatting Sexual Misconduct
On August 12, 2020, the CUNY Board of Trustees adopted a revised Policy on Sexual Misconduct, effective August 14, 2020. This revised Policy supersedes and replaces CUNY’s prior policy and will govern CUNY’s response to allegations of Sexual Misconduct based on conduct alleged to have occurred on or after August 14, 2020. The revised Policy was necessitated by changes to the federal regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688. These new regulations were announced on May 6, 2020, and became effective on August 14, 2020.
Although the new regulations significantly limit the behavior that constitutes Sexual Harassment within the definitions of Sexual Misconduct, CUNY will continue to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate all allegations of Sexual Misconduct that fall outside the new narrower definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment. Further, CUNY’s revised Policy allows for close scrutiny of all reported allegations of Sexual Misconduct. CUNY remains committed to ensuring that its students, faculty, and staff learn and work in an environment free from Sexual Misconduct. CUNY will continue its zero-tolerance toward any form of Sexual Misconduct, while complying with the mandates of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688.
Lastly, CUNY is resolute in its mission to respond to any allegation of Sexual Misconduct that may affect the CUNY community.
