What You Should Know About Title IX
Title IX is a critical federal civil rights statute designed to prevent gender-based discrimination in colleges and universities. The law requires educational institutions to prosecute cases of gender-based discrimination once they receive reports.
As such, the rules outlined by Title IX have been vital for many years in curbing injustices and inequalities of all kinds. However, it is essential to note that while the law has broad application, it has mainly become popular in recent times due to its enforcement as regards sexual misconduct allegations.
Discriminatory Practices Covered by Title IX
Title IX prohibits discriminatory practices such as sexual harassment, sex discrimination in educational programmes, admission or hiring practices that discriminate against a particular gender, retaliation for reporting acts of gender-based discrimination have also been included in Title IX’s regulations.
It is worth noting that when schools receive reports of gender-based misconduct committed by staff or students, they are expected legally to investigate promptly and launch disciplinary actions against perpetrators if proven guilty. Schools must also provide support to victims during and after investigations to protect their rights further.
It is common for legal proceedings regarding Title IX regulations to be complicated because rules typically vary from school-to-school; however, with the services of an experienced attorney like Todd Spodek, accused parties can get the help they need.
Role of Employees Under Title IX Procedures
It is critical that colleges emphasize from the outset that they take these procedures very seriously. For college employees who are named accused parties under Title XI processes – which include professors, coaches, teaching or graduate assistants and other staff members – the following rights are accorded:
– Rightful investigation of all allegations levelled against them with results presented promptly;
– Access information concerning sexual misconduct protocols under title ix
– Privacy (within institutional policies);
– Treatment with respect at every point during inquiries;
– Notification about accusations against them;
A fair hearing accompanied by due appeal options should disputes arise;

It is noteworthy that so long as schools are charged with upholding Title IX regulations for their employees, they must strive to comply with the law to avoid any potential litigation.
Failure of Responsible Employees to Report under Title IX
Educational institutions have defined categories referred to as responsible employees, who are obliged to report cases of gender-based misconduct once they gain knowledge of them. This obligation could arise from a student’s confidential statement or an employee noticing gestures which suggest abusive behavior by colleagues.
Should the responsible employee fail in their duty to report such incidents, he/she risks becoming a respondent in a Title IX inquiry. In all actions concerning filings before school authorities or state panels, legal representation options should be explored immediately.
Pennsylvania’s Schools and Their Inquiry Models
Pursuant currently available data on Pennsylvania colleges and universities (although mainly focused on students), every institution has distinct disciplinary templates highlighting specific codes of conduct applicable in sexual misconduct matters. Few examples include:
– Bloomsburg University: At all times, investigations here possess provisions for confidentiality;
-Cedar Crest College: Complaints against faculty or staff members can be made through the college Title IX coordinator; consequences for policy breaches span from suspension without pay and termination;
– Drexel University: Complete anonymity is granted throughout proceedings regardless of complainants’ status;
-La Salle University: Sanctions from Title IX violations range from temporary suspensions and permanent discharges based on advisory board decisions.
For more information about your rights or obligations as a higher education institution employee caught up in these processes, get in touch with Todd Spodek today!