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Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy upholds protections, support

Updates required for compliance with federal Title IX regulations

| Author: University Communications

Central Michigan University has updated its Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy to comply with recent U.S. Department of Education changes to Title IX, the federal civil rights law that protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs.

"Our core values of education, prevention and a commitment to keeping the university safe have not changed and will not change," said Mary Martinez, CMU Title IX coordinator and interim executive director of the  Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity. "As we reviewed the new Title IX rules, we kept what is best for the CMU community in the front of our minds while ensuring we continued to comply with the law."

The new federal regulations limit the type of complaints that colleges are required to investigate under Title IX, but Martinez said all types of sexual and gender-based misconduct that were prohibited at CMU before the new federal rules took effect remain prohibited now and in the future.

That includes dating violence, domestic or intimate partner violence, gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, stalking, retaliation and other misconduct based on an individual's sex, gender or gender identity.

A  Frequently Asked Question on OCRIE's website covers the updated Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy. Some of the key points:

CMU has always used and continues to use the preponderance of the evidence as the standard to determine whether there was a policy violation.

CMU continues to offer supportive measures to all parties involved, whether or not a formal complaint is filed. Supportive measures may include but are not limited to changing CMU housing assignments; providing a public safety escort on campus; changing academic assignments or schedule, including the ability to take an "incomplete," drop a course without penalty or transfer sections (with faculty agreement); changing work schedules or job assignments; referral for support services such as tutoring or counseling; and instituting a mutual no-contact order.

CMU continues to prohibit sexual and gender-based misconduct not only on campus but off-campus and in Study Abroad programs.

CMU will provide all necessary training of CMU personnel involved in new grievance procedures.

Martinez said all reports are fully investigated to the extent possible.

"CMU remains committed to providing resources and supportive measures for those impacted by sexual and gender-based misconduct," she said.

Reach out to resources

Support is at the heart of CMU's commitment to anyone impacted by sexual and gender-based misconduct. Here's contact info if you need assistance:

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