Title IX: Sex-Based Misconduct

What is Title IX?

The federal law known as Title IX was enacted in 1972 to protect people from discrimination based on sex in education. This includes prohibiting unequal treatment based on sex or gender as well as sexual harassment, gender-based harassment and sexual violence at institutions receiving public funding. It is the mandate of the Office of Compliance and Diversity to oversee Title IX Compliance at the College and help if you or others experience any such issues. Title IX has been essential in preventing and addressing sex-based discrimination in higher education institutions.

On August 1, 2024 CUNY implemented the Policy on Sex-Based Misconduct (SBM).  Formerly known as the Policy on Sexual Misconduct, the new SBM, has some important changes including: 

  1. Providing explicit protections against all sex-based discrimination, which includes discrimination based on gender identity; past, present, or potential pregnancy or related conditions; sex characteristics; sex stereotypes; and sexual orientation are listed as Sex-Based Misconduct under the Policy (Section IV(B)(1-5));
  2. It promotes accountability by expanding reporting obligations of Mandatory Reporters – formerly called “Responsible Employees” (Section VI(B));
  3. Provides pregnancy-related compliance obligations and reasonable accommodation provisions (Section VI(G)) and (Section VII(D)(4)); and
  4. Provides new processes for Informal resolutions (Section VII(G)).

For more information on how the SBM Policy differs from the previous Policy on Sexual Misconduct, please refer to the announcement on CUNY’s website.

Resources

Access Support
Make a Report
Understand and Prevent Sexual Misconduct
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The City University of New York Policy on Sex-Based Misconduct includes policies and procedures related to Title IX sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct. You may access the policy here.   


Our Title IX Coordinator and investigators have professional training in responding to sexual and gender-based harassment and provide vital supportive services

Here’s more information on Title IX at CUNY and the Policy on Sexual Misconduct Training Series.