UA Title IX policy is being updated to meet new federal standards

June 7, 2024

The U.S. Department of Education released the long-awaited final Title IX regulations on Friday, April 19, with the objective that no person experiences sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment or sexual violence, in federally funded education. The new regulations will go into effect on August 1, 2024, and apply to complaints of sex discrimination regarding alleged conduct that occurs on or after that date. 

The regulations are over 1,500 pages. Based on these changes the university is working to update Board of Regents Policy 1.04 - Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination Under Title IX . 

While the final regulations have maintained most of the elements from the proposed regulations, they also include some notable changes.

Among other things, the regulations include requirements and clarify the University’s obligation to:

  • Prevent and address all sex discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy status.
  • Prevent and address sex-based harassment, which is a subset of sex discrimination and includes sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, hostile environment harassment, and quid pro quo harassment.
  • Require more employees to inform the Title IX Office of instances of sex discrimination.
  • Provide supportive measures for individuals impacted by sex discrimination.
  • Provide grievance procedures for complaints of sex discrimination, including some required and some optional process steps.
  • Protect educational access for students experiencing pregnancy and related conditions.
  • Ensure all employees complete annual Title IX training.

Over the summer the Title IX Coordinators are working with General Counsel on an accelerated timeline to update necessary university policy and regulation so the Board of Regents will be able to approve revised policy by the deadline.

Here are links to the official announcement and related documents for more information:

More information will be provided to the UA community in the coming months, and training and websites will be updated in advance of the deadline.