On Friday, April 19, The Department of Education released Biden’s finalized Title IX regulations with an August 1 implementation deadline. After three years of anticipation, Title IX professionals can finally begin their implementation processes.

These regulations signaled a significant shift in how schools handle sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination and who is protected. As Title IX professionals prepare, they must consider who to include in the transition and how to best approach these sweeping changes.

Partners and Stakeholders

Because Title IX applies to everyone within schools that receive federal funding, Coordinators interact with a vast variety of offices, administrators, and external partners. 

As Title IX professionals implement new regulations, who should they include in their planning and conversations? 

School Administrators

Administrators play a crucial role in implementing and enforcing Title IX policies within their institutions. They must be well-versed in the upcoming changes and how their respective areas may be impacted. Examples of administrators who will likely encounter Title IX regulations include Human Resources, the Provost, the Chief Diversity Officer, the President, and principals and superintendents.  Coordinators must consider how Title IX interacts with these roles and the unique perspectives that come with them. 

Students

Students remain at the heart of Title IX regulations and must be involved in the discussion and decision-making process when possible, allowing their voices to be heard and concerns addressed. Title IX Teams should consider which student leaders most interact with their work; Resident Assistants, Orientation leaders, or athletes could be fitting options. While these regulations are considered federal law and cannot change, students can provide insights on areas that are more flexible, such as whether or not schools should utilize live hearings.

Legal Counsel

With the legal complexities surrounding Title IX, involving legal counsel is essential in finalizing policies and procedures. Utilizing this resource ensures that schools remain compliant with federal regulations and navigate any legal challenges effectively.

Advocacy Groups

Organizations dedicated to gender equity and student rights can provide valuable insights and resources to support schools in their Title IX compliance efforts, especially since they work with victims and survivors one-on-one. Their first-hand experience will provide an invaluable perspective when creating fair and accessible policies.

Preparing for the Transition

Once Title IX professionals gather their team of collaborators, they should move forward with a few essential steps:

Education and Training

All involved partners implementing new regulations should complete comprehensive training to ensure they understand rights and responsibilities under the revised law. These topics should include reporting procedures, definitions of sex and gender discrimination, the grievance process, and communicating with reporters, complainants, and respondents.

Policy Review and Revision

Schools must review their existing Title IX policies and procedures in light of the anticipated changes. This involves identifying areas that require updating or modifications to align with the new regulations.

Communication and Outreach

Clear and transparent communication will be key to ensuring that all stakeholders are informed about the upcoming changes to Title IX.  Through open dialogue, transparent messaging, and inclusive decision-making, schools can implement the new regulations in a clear and collaborative way.

How We Can Help

For up-to-date information on all Title IX changes and how they affect you and your institution, join us for Title IX Thursdays on the first Thursday of every month.

For more information about our Title IX consulting services, including advising, policy revisions, investigation, and trainings contact us at info@titleixconsult.com