UMBC response to Title IX guidance changes

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 11:32:33 -0400
diversityandinclusion

Dear Our UMBC Community,

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) withdrew two documents regarding Title IX: an April 4, 2011 Dear Colleague Letter and 2014 Q&A. These documents had provided guidance for colleges responding to, investigating, and adjudicating issues related to sexual misconduct. In their place, the DoE released an interim Q&A document and indicated it will issue new guidance on Title IX following a comment period. However, Title IX itself remains unchanged, and UMBC’s Sexual Misconduct, Interpersonal Violence, and Other Related Misconduct Policy has not changed as a result of the DoE’s interim guidance.

We are writing to affirm that UMBC remains dedicated to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for all students that is responsive to survivors of sexual assault and committed to the prompt and fair resolution of complaints of sexual assault, harassment, and other forms of sexual misconduct. Guided by our own institutional values and policies, UMBC will continue to take active measures to prevent and combat all forms of sex- and gender-based discrimination and violence.

Information about UMBC’s Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures is available through our website. For additional support, our community members can reach out to the Title IX Coordinator, UMBC Counseling Center, USG Center for Counseling and Consulting, Women’s Center, University Health Services, and other support resources.

We would also like to use this opportunity to thank all of the members of our community who work every day to make UMBC a safe, caring, and inclusive learning community. Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to monitor developments and keep our community updated.

President Freeman Hrabowski and Provost Philip Rous