Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy

Policy Introduction

The Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy is included in the University’s Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Affirmative Action Plan.  You can locate the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy starting on Page 76 – Appendix 7 of this Plan, or by selecting this link Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy.  An introduction to this Policy is listed below.

Together, Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University, and Worcester State University (collectively, “the Universities”) are committed to maintaining safe and healthy learning, living, and working environments that are free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. Consistent with their commitment, the Universities do not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that they operate, and are required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) to not discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in the education program or activity extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX to the Universities may be referred to each respective institution’s Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Office for Civil Rights, or both. This Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy (“Policy”) prohibits sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation as defined under Title IX and outlines the procedures for resolution of reports of these behaviors. The Universities provide educational and prevention programs, services for individuals who have been affected by discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, and accessible, timely and equitable methods of investigation and resolution of complaints. Previously known as the “Sexual Violence Policy,” the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy has been amended, and renamed, to be consistent with the Title IX Regulations that became effective August 14, 2020. Additionally, this policy is intended to comply with the reauthorized Violence Against Women Reauthorized Act of 2018 (“VAWA”), including the Campus SaVE Act, and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”). The Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy replaces and supersedes the “Sexual Violence Policy” previously contained on pages 13-45 of the Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan (“EO Plan”). The Universities prohibit all forms of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. These behaviors are antithetical to the mission of the Universities and, if not covered by this Policy, the Universities ensure that such conduct is prohibited and addressed through the Policy Against Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment, and Retaliation contained in the EO Plan, Student Code of Conduct and/or employee handbooks and collective bargaining agreements.