What is Title IX?

Title IX is the federal anti-discrimination law that states:

"No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."  (Title IX, 1972 Education Amendments).

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs, including athletic programs, or in activities that receive federal funding. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment, rape, and sexual assault.

Title IX applies to institutions that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education and requires the University's educational programs and activities to operate in a nondiscriminatory manner. In addition to Title IX, members of our campus community are protected by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and NYS Education Law 129B – regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, part- or full-time status, disability, race, or national origin.

Is this a Title IX Grievance Process Case?

Confidentiality vs. Privacy 

Student employees and employees of the college are mandated reporters. This means that they are legally obligated to report any incident of sexual harassment that they become aware of. When telling a mandated reporter, you are entitled to privacy to the greatest extent possible, and information disclosed will be relayed only as required or allowed by law.

Mandated reporters must inform the Title IX Coordinator of the incident so that they may do a wellness check, offer supportive measures and reporting options, and for the purpose of tracking patterns and spotting systemic issues.  The choice to file a formal report and pursue the Title IX Grievance Process or the Sexual Violence Response Process is entirely the choice of complainant. To file a formal report, you may contact the Title IX Coordinator, fill out the Title IX Incident Report Form, or visit our office in Doty Hall, Suite 303. 

Supportive Measures 

As appropriate, supportive measures may include, but are not limited to: 

  • Counseling 
  • Extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments
  • Modifications of work or class schedules 
  • Campus escort services 
  • Restrictions on contact between parties (No-Contact Orders) 
  • Changes in work or housing locations 
  • Leaves of absence 
  • Increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus 

*Note: You do not need to file a formal report to receive these supportive measures. 

Amnesty Policy 

Policy for Alcohol and/or Drug Use Amnesty in Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Cases states that the health and safety of every student at the State University of New York and its State-operated and community colleges is of utmost importance. SUNY Geneseo recognizes that students who have been drinking and/or using drugs (whether such use is voluntary or involuntary) at the time that violence, including but not limited to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault occurs may be hesitant to report such incidents due to fear of potential consequences for their own conduct.

SUNY Geneseo strongly encourages students to report incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to campus officials. A bystander acting in good faith or a reporting individual acting in good faith that discloses any incident of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault to SUNY Geneseo officials or law enforcement will not be subject to SUNY Geneseo’s student code of conduct action for violations of alcohol and/or drug use policies occurring at or near the time of the commission of the domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault.

Get Involved 

If you are interested in scheduling prevention programming for a club, organization, or sports team that you are a part of, email the Title IX office. Look out for additional programming and events during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October) and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April).