Title IX Policy

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It reads:

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX)

Northwestern Health Sciences University is committed to providing a learning and working environment that promotes personal integrity, civility and mutual respect in an environment free of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Sexual discrimination violates an individual’s fundamental rights and personal dignity. Northwestern Health Sciences University considers sexual discrimination in all its forms to be a serious offense. This resource refers to all forms of sexual discrimination, including: sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence by employees, students, or third parties. (Title 20 U.S.C. Sections 1681-1688).

Further information can be found on the website of the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.

Purpose and Notice of Non-Discrimination

It is the policy of Northwestern Health Sciences University (the “University”) to maintain an environment that is free from Sexual Harassment, Sexual Intimidation, Sexual Exploitation, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Harassment, Discrimination, and all other forms of Sexual Violence, including when these crimes are based on actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, familial (or parental) status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status or veteran status or any other protected class defined by law. The University prohibits any form of harassment, violence or Discrimination based on actual or perceived protected class status.

It is a violation of this policy for any Student, Employee, or Third Party to (1) sexually harass another individual through conduct or communication (e.g., physical, verbal, graphic or written) or to (2) discriminate against an individual based on that individual’s actual or perceived protected class status; or to (3) inflict, threaten to inflict or attempt to inflict violence against another individual.

The University is committed to promptly and fairly investigating and addressing incidents of Sexual Misconduct.  Retaliation against a person who makes a Complaint about Sexual Misconduct or who participates in or supports the investigation of a Complaint is also prohibited and will not be tolerated.

This policy applies to all Students, Employees, and Third Parties of the academic and non-academic (extracurricular) programs of the University and will be enforced on University property, owned or leased, including University-hosted social functions, or events sponsored by the University but held at other locations. The policy also applies to conduct that occurs in certain circumstances as defined in this policy in a Non-campus Building or on Non-campus Property or on public property. The policy also applies to any off-campus conduct that causes or threatens to cause a substantial and material disruption at the University, interferes with the rights of Students to be free from a hostile learning environment, or interferes with the rights of Employees to be free from a hostile working environment, taking into consideration the totality of the circumstances on and off campus.  That said, Students, Employees, and Third Parties are encouraged to report any instances of Sexual Misconduct to the University and if such report falls outside this particular policy, the University will assist the Student, Employee, or Third Party in reporting the incident to the proper party or authorities.

The University will also promptly and appropriately investigate all complaints of Sexual Misconduct, Sex Discrimination, and Sexual Harassment—whether formal or informal, verbal or written—based on an individual’s actual or perceived protected class status, and will discipline or take appropriate action against any Student, Employee, or Third Party who is found to have violated this policy.  The University will investigate and, when appropriate, will conduct prompt, fair, and impartial investigation proceedings for complaints of all Sexual Misconduct.

The full Title IX Policy can be found on our website.