Commitment to Addressing Sex Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct, and Sexual Violence
The University of the South stands firmly for the principle that its employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs have a right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran/reserve/national guard status, pregnancy and childbirth, and genetic information, and free from sexual misconduct in its educational programs and activities and with regard to employment. The University is committed to sustaining a community in which the dignity of every individual is respected. Key to this value are efforts to nurture an environment of civility and mutual respect and to foster a culture of reporting concerns so that the University can respond promptly and equitably whenever an incident occurs. All employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs also have the right to be free from unlawful harassment and retaliation.
Related Commitments
The University is also committed to free expression. Speech not specifically directed against individuals in a harassing way may be protected by traditional safeguards of free speech, even though the comments may cause considerable discomfort or concern to others in the community.
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) and the Department of Education’s (Department) implementing regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in federally assisted education programs and activities: "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 aid..." In addition, the Supreme Court, Congress, and federal executive departments and agencies, including the Department, have recognized that sexual harassment can constitute discrimination prohibited by Title IX.
The Title IX Coordinator at the University of the South is Dr. Sylvia Gray (931.598.1420, Woods Lab 138, smgray@sewanee.edu or titleix@sewanee.edu). Dr. Gray is charged with monitoring compliance with these laws and regulations. Questions regarding Title IX, as well as concerns and complaints of non-compliance, may be directed to her.
Title IX applies to a wide array of programs within the University, not just athletics. Other areas covered include: Recruitment, Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships; Course Offerings and Access; Counseling; Hiring and Retention of Employees; and Benefits and Leaves.
Individuals with complaints of this nature also have the right to file a formal complaint with the United States Department of Education, the federal governing body in charge of enforcing Title IX:
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline: (800) 421-3481
Facsimile: (202) 453-6012
TDD#: (877) 521-2172
OCR E-mail: OCR@ed.gov
OCR Website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
Non-Discrimination Policy Statement
The University of the South stands firmly for the principle that its employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs and activities have a right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy and childbirth, and genetic information. As required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or other protected categories in the educational programs or activities which it operates. This requirement of non-discrimination extends to admission to and employment in those programs or activities. The University is committed to sustaining a community in which the dignity of every individual is respected. Key to this value are efforts to nurture an environment of civility and mutual respect and to foster a culture of reporting concerns so that the University can respond promptly and equitably whenever an incident occurs. All employees, students, and participants of university-sponsored programs and activities have the right to be free from harassment and retaliation.
Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may be addressed to:
- The University’s Title IX Coordinator at:
Woods Lab 138
(931) 598-1420
Email: smgray @sewanee.edu or titleix@sewanee.edu - The Tennessee regional Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, at:
Atlanta Office
U.S. Department of Education
61 Forsyth Street S.W., Suite 19T10
Atlanta, GA 30303-8927
Telephone: (404) 974-9406
Facsimile: (404) 974-9471
Email: OCR.Atlanta@ed.gov - The Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education at:
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Telephone: 1-800-421-3481
Email: OCR@ed.gov
