Title IX Information
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. All forms of sexual or gender-based harassment, including but not limited to, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault are violations of Title IX. It protects individuals of all genders and sexual orientations and applies to students, faculty, staff, independent contractors, campus visitors, and other participants in University educational programs and activities.
To ensure compliance with Title IX and other federal and state civil rights laws, the University has designated a Title IX Coordinator to monitor compliance with Title IX and ensure that reports of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct are appropriately investigated and addressed by the University.
Any student, faculty, or staff member who has questions or concerns about their rights under Title IX or who believes that he or she has been the victim of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, is encouraged to contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator:
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response
222 Boucke Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-867-0099
Titleix@psu.edu
Title IX requires Penn State University to provide a prompt and equitable resolution for all complaints of gender-based and sexual harassment, which includes complaints of sexual violence. The University must end such harassment, remedy its effects, and prevent its recurrence.
As member of the University community, students, faculty, and staff have a responsibility to report behaviors that potentially constitute sexual or gender-based harassment or violence. When you become aware of an incident in which the victim or the offender is a Penn State student, faculty, or staff, you should complete a report. This document will be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Kenneth Lehrman, Vice Provost for Affirmative Action and to Danny Shaha, Senior Director of Student Conduct.
If you are unsure if a specific behavior constitutes a violation, or even whether alleged offender is a University student, faculty, or staff, complete the form and submit it anyway.
The information you receive may be from personal observation, a verbal or written report from a victim, or a verbal or written report through a third party who either observed or became aware of the incident. Your report will assist the University in assuring that University personnel are appropriately addressing such incidents and are properly supporting victims. In addition, it will assist in complying with federal mandates to track and address these incidents.
Please note that your responsibilities here are limited to reporting information that is provided to you, either directly by the alleged victim (referred here as the “complainant”), or by a third party.