New Title IX: Sex-Based Harassment and Misconduct Regulations Released

On April 19, the Department of Education (ED) released the latest Title IX regulations, ensuring protections from sex discrimination in federally funded education institutions. The new rules expand Title IX protections across student populations, alter proceedings for sexual assault allegations, and add full protection from all “sex-based harassment,” broadening the previous definition implemented by former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

On April 25, AASCU held a timely and informative members-only webinar in which education and employment law expert Scott Schneider broke down what the decision means for colleges and universities. AASCU has long engaged with the Department of Education as well as the current and past presidential administrations on Title IX, most recently providing a comment letter in response to the department’s July 2022 notice of proposed rulemaking. With the release of the final rule, ED has promised to work closely with campuses to ensure seamless implementation of the new regulations and has offered a range of procedural guides for campus leaders and faculty that handle Title IX complaints.

We encourage AASCU member Government and Community Relations (GR) professionals to join our online GR Network to engage with our staff and your colleagues on discussions that shape the future of Title IX regulations and enforcement.

Resources

• Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance (September 12, 2022)
• Resource for Drafting Nondiscrimination Policies, Notices of Nondiscrimination, and
  Grievance Procedures under 2024 Amendments to the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX Regulations
• U.S. Department of Education Releases Final Title IX Regulations, Providing Vital Protections Against Sex Discrimination (April 19, 2024)
• Join the AASCU Government Relations Network