Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits any person in the United States from being discriminated against on the basis of sex in seeking access to any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. The U.S. Department of Education, which enforces Title IX, has long defined the meaning of Title IX’s prohibition on sex discrimination broadly to include various forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence that interfere with a student’s ability to equally access educational programs and opportunities.

U.S. Department of Education Final Rule under Title IX

On May 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education issued a Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that:

• Defines the meaning of “sexual harassment” (including forms of sex-based violence),
• Addresses how an institution must respond to reports of misconduct falling within that definition of sexual harassment, and
• Mandates a grievance process that an institution must follow to comply with the law in these specific covered cases before issuing a disciplinary sanction against a person accused of sexual harassment.

See, 85 Fed. Reg. 30026 (May 19, 2020). The full text of the Final Rule and its extensive Preamble are available here: http://bit.ly/TitleIXReg

Haverford College (“the College”) remains committed to addressing any violations of its policies, even those not meeting the narrow standards defined under the new Title IX Final Rule, and retains authority to investigate and adjudicate allegations under the policies and procedures defined within this the Haverford College Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Bi-College Policy Development

Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges (“the Colleges”) have a long-standing collaborative relationship which offers students comprehensive access to academics, student organizations, residence hall and dining facilities and social activities on both campuses. A free “Blue Bus” shuttle services makes regular stops at each campus every 30 minutes, providing easy and frequent access to all community members. Some academic programs and departments are provided only on one campus or structured to share resources between the two institutions. In 2016, the Colleges codified the Bi-College (“Bi-Co”) relationship with a Memorandum of Understanding to provide a formalized framework for ongoing collaboration. Due to the complexity of the Title IX requirements, specific language in the Final Rule, and the sometimes-overlapping nature of the Colleges’ Education Program and Activities, Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges will implement Sexual Misconduct Policies which are substantially the same, effective August 14, 2020.  The Colleges will jointly administer the procedures set forth in the Resolution Process of these Policies, as mutually agreed by the Colleges, if a Complainant is a student or employee of one College and the Respondent is a student or employee of the other College, if the Complainant is a student or employee of one College and the location of the alleged Sexual Misconduct is the other College, or if other facts and circumstances set forth in a Formal Complaint or in the investigation of such Formal Complaint suggest the need for joint administration of the Resolution Process.

Sexual Misconduct Policy

The Haverford College Sexual Misconduct web pages provide a full description of the College’s policy and procedures for addressing reports of sexual misconduct, including support and available resources.