Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities, including sexual harassment, assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking.

Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex against any person in education programs and activities receiving federal funding. Students have the right to pursue an education, including athletic programs, scholarships and other activities, free from sex discrimination, including sexual violence and harassment. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) requires schools that receive federal financial assistance to take necessary steps to prevent sexual assault on their campuses and to respond promptly and effectively when an assault is reported.

The Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f)), commonly referred to as the Clery Act, requires colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to report annual statistics on crime on or near their campuses–including sexual assault and rape and to develop and disseminate prevention policies. 

The Campus SaVE Act

The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE) was enacted in March 2013 and amends the Jeanne Clery Act, creating additional protections for victims of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, as well as creating more prescriptive requirements for prevention and awareness programs related to these offenses.

Except for Confidential Resources, all University Employees are designated Responsible Employees and thereby mandatory reporters of potential Title IX and Power-Based Violence Policy violations. Responsible Employees include all staff (hourly and salary), faculty, instructors, teaching assistants, graduate assistants and student workers who have supervisory responsibility or responsibility for the welfare of other students and learn of potential violations of this policy in the scope of their employment. Student workers who are Responsible Employees include but are not limited to Residential Living employees, Athletics Team Managers and/or Volunteers, Peer Educators, and Camp Leaders. 

Responsible Employees must report immediately any information about suspected sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, domestic/dating violence, or retaliation regardless of when (both prior to or during their time at Nicholls) or where (both on and off campus) the alleged misconduct occurred. Responsible employees must report retaliation when they are aware of acts consistent with the policy definition of retaliation, and they have reason to believe it is occurring because of a party’s participation in a resolution process, or in order to prevent someone from making a report to the Office of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance or participating in a resolution process. 

Reports must include any known details such as identities of the parties and the date, time, and location of the incident. Confidential Resources who do not have to report potential Title IX and Power-Based Violence Policy violations include those working in the Counseling Center and Health Services.

Power-Based Violence (PBV) includes any form of interpersonal violence where one party exerts power and control over another, such as sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking. PBV is broader than Title IX and reflects Louisiana’s commitment to addressing all forms of violence affecting campus safety.