The Title IX office is responsible for receiving and responding to reports of gender and sex based discrimination which includes but is not limited to sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, and stalking.

• Offering supportive measures and information about confidential on and off campus resources for complainants and respondents
• Investigating formal complaints in a fair and impartial manner that avoids prejudgment of facts at issue, conflicts of interest and bias, and presumes no policy violation has occurred unless proven otherwise by a preponderance of the evidence in a university adjudication process.
• Monitoring reports and complaints to identify any patterns or systemic problems revealed by such reports and complaints.

The office participates in the coordination of the institution’s compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) University policy 1340, 1346, and other applicable laws and policies through tracking the university’s compliance efforts and consulting with and providing support to the university community including by providing support to students who are pregnant/pregnancy related conditions.

Good Faith The Title IX office presumes that all parties participating in programs and procedures coordinated by and offered by Title IX are acting in good faith.

Retaliation is prohibited against a group or individual exercising rights under and/or participating in, or refusing to participate in, any procedures under Title IX, Policy 1340, 1346, or 1324. Retaliation constitutes a form of misconduct and may result in sanctions separate from, and not dependent on, the outcome of any report or formal complaint filed under Policy 1340, 1346, or 1324. Claims of retaliation will be adjudicated under procedures that are prompt and equitable.

Amnesty The university will not pursue alleged policy violations of personal consumption of alcohol or drugs against students who are reporting sexual misconduct on their own behalf or against students who participate as witnesses in procedures under Policy 1340 or 1346, even if these substances were involved. (Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-808(B)) The university will not pursue alleged policy violations for personal consumption of alcohol or drugs against employees, affiliates, or visitors where such disclosure is made in conjunction with a good faith report of an act of sexual violence. (Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-808(B))

Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech Title IX, Policy 1340, and 1346 do not restrict the rights of faculty members and students of the institution to academic freedom or impair the exercise of rights protected under the United States Constitution such as the right to free speech. See Faculty Handbook, Section III.A.1. Academic freedom carries with it responsibilities, including the responsibility to refrain from harassment, discrimination, and misconduct. See Faculty Handbook, Section III.A.8 and Academic Affairs Policy 12, Disruption of Class.