The University of Virginia remains deeply committed to responding appropriately to all allegations of sexual assault or sexual harassment, including those that do not fall within the scope of the new Title IX regulations, which became effective on August 14, 2020.  The University will continue to address reports of sexual and gender-based harassment and violence in a manner that is empathetic, fair, and equitable; effective August 14, 2020, the University revised its Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence (“Sexual Misconduct Policy”) and implemented two new procedures for responding to reports and Formal Complaints under the Sexual Misconduct Policy – the Grievance Process for Investigating and Resolving Reports of Title IX Prohibited Conduct (“Grievance Process”) and the Procedures for Investigating and Resolving Reports of Sexual and Gender-Based Prohibited Conduct (“Procedures”).

More information about the Sexual Misconduct Policy, Grievance Process, and Procedures are available on the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Title IX and Sexual Misconduct website. The Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) will continue to update the Title IX website with additional resources and materials regarding the new policies and procedures. If you have questions, you may contact the Title IX Coordinator at (434) 297-7988 or [email protected]. EOCR will be launching additional training on the policies and procedures through online training modules and presentations over then next month.

In addition, EOCR welcomes continued feedback regarding the revised policies and procedures through the website submission form at https://titleix.virginia.edu/feedback.

On May 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released revised regulations to implement Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. § 1681. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education program and activities that receive federal financial assistance, also called recipients. The University of Virginia, like many colleges and universities, is a recipient and therefore required to comply with Title IX. Since 2015, the University has met this requirement through HRM-041: University Policy on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence (Title IX Policy),  HRM-040: Reporting by University Employees of Disclosures Relating to Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence (HRM-040), and HRM-009: Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment (PADH Policy).

To meet the new Title IX regulatory requirements, the University will be required to revise its current policies and procedures. Pursuant to the regulations, these revisions must be completed and implemented by August 14, 2020. The purpose of this site is to provide the University community information about the U.S. Department of Education’s requirements and the revisions to University policies, as well as providing the University community an opportunity to provide feedback during this process. We look forward to hearing from the University community.

Message to the University Community from President Jim Ryan

The University of Virginia is  committed to creating and fostering a community that is free from discrimination and harassment in any form. As we evaluate what revisions to our current policies and procedures that apply to sexual misconduct are necessary in light of the new Title IX regulations, we are thoughtfully considering feedback from our community as well as taking steps to ensure the University continues to respond timely, compassionately, and fairly to all forms of discrimination, harassment, and misconduct. 

- Emily Babb, Assistant Vice President, Title IX/Title IX Coordinator