Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) is a federal law that states “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.” The law expressly prohibits all forms of sex discrimination, which include sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual violence. More information can be found on the Title IX webpage.
Other Related Policies
Pregnancy and Related Medical Conditions Policy
January 2025 Title IX Update
On January 9, 2025, a federal judge in Kentucky vacated many of the Biden Administration Title IX changes that were in effect from August 2024 until January 9, 2025. As a result, the 2024 rules of the Biden Administration were deemed by the Department of Education as having no efficacy in any jurisdiction and are no longer applicable at Pacific University.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order that narrowly defines gender as either male or female. These two actions mean that the university’s federal Title IX regulations revert back to the 2020 Title IX regulations implemented by the first Trump Administration.
That said, in Oregon sexual harassment (a broad term including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking) includes protections for gender identity and sexual orientation.
Pacific University's Sexual Misconduct Policy, Harassment including Sexual Harassment Policy, and Non-Discrimination Statement have these protections in place and give the university the ability to address sexual harassment incidents under a broader definition. Therefore, Pacific University will continue its work to ensure a safe, healthy, and respectful learning and work environment; one free from harassment.