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The university is required to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities. The United States Department of Education, which enforces Title IX, has long defined the meaning of Title IX's prohibition on sex discrimination broadly to include various forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence that interfere with a person's equal access to the university's educational programs and activities.

In May 2020, the United States Department of Education issued regulations under Title IX that define Covered Sexual Harassment, address how colleges and universities, including Rutgers, must respond to reports of misconduct falling within that definition of sexual harassment, and mandate a specific grievance process that the university must follow in those cases.

Pursuant to the new regulations, Rutgers has implemented a Title IX Policy and Grievance Procedures, that describes the ways in which Rutgers will respond to reported instances of sexual harassment that fall within the definition of Covered Sexual Harassment set forth in the Title IX regulations. Other alleged misconduct, including allegations of sexual harassment that do not fall within the definition set forth in the Title IX regulations, may be addressed under other university policies and procedures, as described below.

If a report or formal complaint is not investigated or adjudicated under the Title IX Policy and Grievance Procedures, the alleged conduct may still be prohibited under other university policies:

For reports of harassment, discrimination, or other misconduct outside the scope of Title IX against a faculty or staff member, third party who does business with the university, or is otherwise affiliated with the university, but not a university student, please refer to the Rutgers Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment and accompanying procedures, or contact the university's Office of Employment Equity.

For reports of harassment, discrimination, or other misconduct outside the scope of Title IX against a student, please refer to the Code of Student Conduct or RBHS Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Disciplinary Procedures Policy or contact the Title IX Coordinator at the appropriate chancellor unit/campus.

The university is committed to the principles of academic freedom and believes that vigorous discussion and debate, as well as free inquiry and free expression, are an integral part of the university community. Nothing in the policy shall be construed to abridge academic freedom and inquiry, principles of free speech, or the university's educational mission.