Title IX

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. — Title IX

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs that receive federal financial assistance. Gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment and acts of sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking are all forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX.

Title IX and the Massachusetts Campus Sexual Violence Law 2021 requires colleges to provide information to the campus community.

If you believe that you have been harassed or discriminated against based on your sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity; race, color, national origin; religion, creed; age; disability; or based on membership in any other class protected by law or by the College's Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policy, you may file a complaint with the College. Likewise, you may file a complaint if you believe you have been retaliated against for reporting harassment or discrimination or for cooperating in an investigation concerning the same.

Policies & Procedures

  • Discrimination complaints, including Title IX complaints, are investigated pursuant to the complaint procedure contained in the Policy on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity; the policy contains both informal and formal procedures with respect to resolving complaints. Hard copies may be obtained in the Human Resources Office. (Archived policy to be used for alleged discrimination occurring before August 1, 2024 can be found here.)
  • The College’s investigations are conducted in a prompt, fair, thorough and impartial manner. The College may take interim actions before the investigation is completed to protect the complainant, witnesses and the integrity of the investigation and to protect the alleged perpetrator from further allegations.
  • During the investigative process, both parties can identify witnesses, present other evidence and can have a personal adviser.
  • Both parties will be notified of the outcome of the investigative process.
  • Where a violation of policy is found to have occurred, the College will act promptly to end the discrimination, remedy its effects, prevent its recurrence, and protect the complainant and others from retaliation.