General Policy and Title IX Information
Put simply, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender (sex), including sexual harassment. More specifically, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities that receive Federal funds. It states: “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.”
Jennifer Raup is Bloomsburg University’s Title IX Coordinator and can be reach via phone or email at 570-389-4808, jraup@bloomu.edu, or titleixcoord@bloomu.edu. The Title IX Coordinator is the university official responsible for ensuring Bloomsburg University complies with Title IX, including responding to and investigating complaints of gender discrimination (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) at Bloomsburg University.
Title IX refers to Federal Regulations that have specific parameters regarding the definitions of sexual harassment. Bloomsburg University uses the term sexual misconduct because Bloomsburg University’s policies are broader than what is required under the Federal Regulations.
Yes, the policy applies to all on and off campus conduct that is likely to have a substantial adverse effect on any member of the University community.
In most cases the Title IX Coordinator will reach out to a reporting party or complainant to offer the option to discuss supportive measures, rights, and next steps. The Title IX Coordinator will make every effort to respect the wishes of the reporting party or complainant. If a report of misconduct discloses a serious or immediate threat to the campus community, the University will issue a timely warning to the community to protect the health or safety of the community. The timely warning will not include any identifying information about the complainant.
Making a report is different from filing a formal complaint. A report is defined as notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator or designee by any person. A report may be accompanied by a request for (1) Supportive Measures; (2) no further action; (3) filing a Formal Complaint (a request to initiate an informal resolution process); and/or (4) a request to initiate an informal resolution process after filing a Formal Complaint. Filing a Formal Complaint initiates some form of formal action. (See Sexual Misconduct Resolution Process).
All University Officials, Volunteers and Employees (including student employees) are obligated to report incidents of sexual misconduct of which they become aware to the Title IX Coordinator/designee, unless: 1) they serve in a role that makes such reports privileged or are recognized as providing a confidential resource (see Statement on Privacy and Confidentiality); or 2) they are a faculty member and learn of the report from a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as part of a University-approved research project.
PLEASE NOTE: These reporting exceptions do not apply to reports of sexual misconduct involving an individual who was, or is, a child (a person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred. When a report involves suspected abuse of a child (an individual under the age of 18 at the time of the incident(s) as reported), all the University Employees, Officials and Volunteers are required to notify the University police and the ChildLine run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (1-800-932-0313). All other members of the University community are strongly encouraged to report suspected child abuse to law enforcement or the ChildLine.
University Employees designated as Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) under the Clery Act are required to report certain crimes for federal statistical reporting purposes.
When a report involves suspected abuse of a child (an individual under the age of 18 at the time of the incident(s) as reported), all the University Employees, Officials, and Volunteers are required to notify the University police and the ChildLine run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (1-800-932-0313).