Title IX Policies and Resources

Policies

Title IX violations are taken very seriously at RIT. RIT is committed to investigate complaints of sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other sexual misconduct, and to ensure that appropriate action is taken to stop the behavior, prevent its recurrence and remedy its effects.

The policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment is inclusive of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits any person in the United States from being discriminated against on the basis of sex in seeking access to any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.  The U.S. 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 equal access to the university’s educational programs and opportunities.  You can learn more about Title IX applicability here.

Read the full Policy Document: C27.0  Policy on Title IX Sexual Harassment for Faculty, Staff, and Students

All members of the RIT Community shall comply with this Policy. This Policy is considered part of the conditions of employment and participation in RIT sponsored events or programs. This Policy applies to conduct that takes place either on the RIT campus or at university-sponsored events or programs off campus. 

Read the full Policy Document:
Website: https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/policiesmanual/c040

An environment that encourages freedom of expression and inquiry is essential to achieving the educational mission of RIT. It is the responsibility of RIT students, faculty, staff and administrators to work towards the achievement of this educational mission through appropriate actions or behaviors related to P03.0 - Honor Code. When these actions or behaviors are inappropriate, or when these actions or behaviors lead to conflicts, it is the responsibility of RIT to provide a process that informs and educates the RIT community about appropriate behaviors and provides a fair and reasonable manner for the resolution of conflicts. 

Read the full Policy Document:
Website: https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/policiesmanual/d180

RIT is a community that believes the best environment for learning occurs when the community promotes and supports healthy and responsible behavior among its members. Students make their own choices and are ultimately responsible for their behavior. The purpose of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy is to promote individual responsibility and advance the goals and expectations central to the university mission. The Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy applies to all Student members of the university community and their guests. Faculty and staff, and their guests, are governed by a separate policy (C15.2 - Faculty/Staff Alcohol and Drug Policy).

Read the full Policy Document:
Website: https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/policiesmanual/d181

The Student Appeals Process provides students the right to appeal certain outcomes from their original hearings of the Student Academic Integrity Policy (D08.0), the Student Conduct Process (D18.0) and the Student Gender-Based and Sexual Misconduct Policy - Title IX (D19.0.)

Read the full Policy Document:
Website: https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/policiesmanual/d182-student-appeals-process

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”  Additional laws prohibit discrimination in education on the basis of sex, as well as dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.  This Student Gender-Based and Sexual Misconduct Policy is RIT’s Student Title IX Policy. Unless otherwise stated, RIT’s Student Title IX Policy applies whenever any allegation of sex discrimination is made by or against an RIT student. This policy applies equally regardless of an individual’s sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.

Read the full Policy Document:
Website: https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/policiesmanual/d190-interim-policy-student-gender-based-and-sexual-misconduct-policy-title-ix

Integrity and strong moral character are valued and expected within and outside of the RIT community. As members of the RIT campus community, including students, trustees, faculty, staff, and administrators, we will:

  • Demonstrate civility, respect, decency and sensitivity towards our fellow members of the RIT community, and recognize that all individuals at this university are part of the larger RIT family, and as such are entitled to that support and mutual respect which they deserve.
  • Conduct ourselves with the highest standards of moral and ethical behavior. Such behavior includes taking responsibility for our own personal choices, decisions and academic and professional work.
  • Affirm through the daily demonstration of these ideals that RIT is a university devoted to the pursuit of knowledge and a free exchange of ideas in an open and respectful climate.

Read the full Policy Document:
Website: https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/policiesmanual/p030

Education, Awareness, and Prevention Program

Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Campus SaVE Act, universities are required to provide primary prevention and awareness programs for new students and employees, as well as ongoing prevention and awareness programs. The purpose of this form is to create a centralized database to collect and keep track of all sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, and stalking prevention, education, and awareness initiatives on campus. This includes, but is not limited to educational programs, events, lectures, awareness campaigns, and trainings on campus relevant to these topics.

The Prevention Program Tracking Form should be filled out by any member of the university community who would like to make a record of a prevention program hosted by their organization. Please enter one program entry per form. If your organization has sponsored multiple events, please fill out a separate form for each program. However, if your organization has sponsored multiples of the same program in question (e.g. a biweekly support group), one entry will suffice (just be sure to include the total reach and all relevant dates).

To request Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Training please complete the Prevention Program Training Request Form. Please provide as much detail as possible about the target audience and type of training and education required.

If you have any questions, please contact the RIT Title IX Office at titleix@rit.edu.

Community Resources

If you have experienced physical or sexual violence, get to a safe place and seek help. You are not alone. There are many people who can provide medical and emotional support, regardless of whether you choose to pursue disciplinary or criminal proceedings.

RESTOREa program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, leads the community response to sexual violence through advocacy and education, by providing the safety, support and validation that changes the lives of all those affected.

Willow Domestic Violence Center. Services are free and confidential. Safety is paramount. We offer no judgments about whether a person should stay or leave the relationship. Our role is to empower those we serve, not tell them what to do.

IGNITE. IGNITE's main goal is to support the needs of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual violence.

The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, New York. Providing full and meaningful access to justice, to counsel, and to the court system.

Annuity works to help combat financial abuse.

New York Crime Victims Legal Help is an online resource that connects you with legal help on issues related to your housing, family, employment, finances, and more.

Title IX Practitioner Training