Title IX Coordinator

In addition to prohibiting sex discrimination across educational activities and programs, Title IX requires a school that receives federal financial assistance to designate at least one employee to coordinate the school’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. This person is generally referred to as the Title IX coordinator,¹ and he or she is responsible for ensuring that the school provides equal access to programs and activities free from discrimination on the basis of sex. His or her contact information must be provided to all applicants for admission (and their parents or guardians), students, unions, employees, and applicants for employment.

One responsibility of the Title IX coordinator is to help manage the school’s Title IX notice. The notice generally should state that the school does not discriminate based on sex in the education programs or activities it operates. It should be prominently posted on the recipient’s website, at various locations on campus, and in electronic and printed publications for general distribution. In addition, the notice must be included in any bulletins, announcements, publications, catalogs, application forms, or recruitment materials.

The Title IX coordinator is also responsible for ensuring compliance with grievance procedures for resolving Title IX complaints. A formal grievance process must be used when responding to formal complaints of sexual harassment. The procedures also are required to be published. Visit the “Grievance Process”[hyperlinked to page] section for additional information.

Another responsibility of the Title IX coordinator is to provide training to investigators, decision-makers, and any person who is part of the information resolution process related to Title IX. The training should include understanding the definition of sexual harassment, the scope of the program or activity, how to conduct an investigation and grievance process, and how to serve impartially, which includes avoiding prejudgment of facts, conflicts of interest, and bias.² The training materials also are required to be made publicly available on the school’s website. The format can include slide presentations, PDF documents, or videos, among others.

Additional responsibilities of the Title IX coordinator include:

• Participating in drafting sex discrimination policies and procedures
• Coordinating the educational institution’s response to all complaints, monitoring outcomes, identifying patterns, and assessing effects on campus climate
• Monitoring student participation in athletics and academics to ensure equal access to educational opportunities

References

1. U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Title IX Resource Guide, April, 2015.
2. Part 106 – Nondiscrimination on the Bases of Sex in Educational Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-I/part-106