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Equity & Title IX

Moving forward to address all forms of discrimination.

Attention: Proposed Changes to Title IX Regulations

On June 23, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) issued a proposed rule to amend regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”). You may find these proposed changes here. Please note that any potential changes that must be made to the University’s policies as a result of new regulations would not be implemented until the new regulations formally go into effect (which will not take place until the Department of Education has completed the formal rule-making process).”

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American University strives to be a community where equitable treatment, opportunities, and outcomes prevail. Improving the institutions and processes that serve our community is an important part of the journey to greater equity and inclusion, and the newly established Office of Equity and Title IX will help address the undue burdens on women, people of color, and underrepresented communities, and promote equity and inclusion for all students, faculty, staff, and other AU colleagues. 

The office will oversee all of our efforts to prevent and respond to discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault and serve faculty, staff, and students. Its responsibilities include formal and informal complaint resolution, training, and prevention and awareness programming. Its mission includes furthering the university’s efforts to dismantle structural racism, eliminate gender-based violence, and address barriers that prevent members of our community from full participation and access.

The office is responsible for the implementation of the following two University policies: Discrimination and Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy and the Title IX and Sexual Harassment Policy. The latter policy implements the requirements of the new Title IX rules issued by the US Department of Education that went into effect August 14, 2020.

The Office of Equity and Title IX is a neutral office committed to safety, fairness, trauma-informed practices, and ensuring a transparent and equitable process for resolving matters of discrimination, harassment and sexual violence.

To submit a report, file a complaint, or identify a concern regarding all discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct complaints should be submitted online. If you have additional questions or concerns, you can email the Office of Equity & Title IX at equityoffice@american.edu, or by calling at 202-885-8080. 

For general questions about the new Office of Equity and Title IX, please email equityoffice@american.edu.  For Training Requests, please contact EquityTitle9training@american.edu. 

More information can be found on the FAQ page.