October 21, 2025

Essential information on the prevention of sex discrimination

Prevention of sex discrimination

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Dear RIT students, faculty, and staff:

Each academic year, we provide essential information on the prevention of sex discrimination to the RIT community. I want to reaffirm RIT’s unwavering dedication to fostering a campus free from sex and gender-based harassment and discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression, sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking (collectively referred to as “sex discrimination”).

In addition to Title IX protections, New York state law explicitly prohibits gender discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression, which are both protected categories.  You can learn more about this important law here.

RIT’s policies and practices are designed to protect every member of our community. These protections apply both on campus and at any RIT-sponsored off-campus activities, and extend to interactions involving administrators, faculty, staff, students, student organizations, and external partners. Our policies are not only designed to respond to allegations, but also to educate our community, set clear expectations, and hold individuals accountable when those expectations are not met. I urge you to review our key policies, including:

These policies, along with numerous campus resources, are available online and serve as essential tools in our collective efforts to stop, prevent, and address sex discrimination. I encourage you to visit the Title IX website for a comprehensive overview of RIT’s policies, procedures, and available resources. If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to the Title IX Office.

All members of the RIT community are encouraged to report concerns through the available reporting channels, and to seek support through the appropriate campus resources. Retaliation against individuals who reports a concern is strictly prohibited.

Together, through education, accountability, and compassion, we can continue building a campus where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and supported.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue—and for your continued commitment to creating a respectful and vibrant RIT community.

Sincerely,

Bill

William H. Sanders
President
sanders@rit.edu

REPORTING CHANNELS

In an emergency or in cases of sexual misconduct, individuals should contact Public Safety immediately at (585) 475-3333.

In addition, the following individuals are trained to help the campus community with reports or concerns of sexual misconduct, and can help the reporting individual obtain resources to end sexual misconduct discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects:

  • Stacy DeRooy, Executive Director of Title IX and Clery Compliance (Title IX Coordinator), Office of Compliance and Ethics, (585) 475-7158
  • Darci Lane, Assistant Director of Title IX and Clery Compliance, Office of Compliance and Ethics, (585) 475-7383
  • Catherine Farina, Title IX Investigator, Office of Compliance and Ethics, (585) 475-2297
  • Amy Stornello, NTID Deputy Title IX Coordinator, (585) 391-9990(VP) or (585) 709-1120 (text)
  • Lana Verschage, Golisano College of Computing & Information Sciences Deputy Title IX Coordinator (585) 475-7155
  • Jeff Siegel, Athletics and Student Affairs Deputy Title IX Coordinator (585) 475-6389

Reports concerning faculty and staff respondents will be investigated by a trained neutral investigator.  The Public Safety Department will investigate any claims or concerns involving student respondents and campus visitors. In all cases, Title IX and Public Safety work together to support each other’s investigations as appropriate. 

Anyone may also contact external law enforcement in addition to Public Safety.

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

If an individual would like to speak with someone confidentially about an incident or concern, RIT offers several confidential options. Faculty, staff, and students may seek assistance from:

In addition to the foregoing options, students may also seek confidential assistance from: