Title IX

Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination

Point Park University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs, activities, or employment practices. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 106, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities operated by recipients of Federal financial assistance and requires the school not to discriminate.

Statement Regarding Title IX Changes

Point Park’s Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Relationship Violence, and Stalking  has been revised to align with the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and the scope of this policy is limited to conduct that occurs within the United States and conduct that occurs within the University’s education program or activity. Violations that fall outside of the scope of this policy will be addressed through the Student Code of Conduct and the Policy on Discrimination and Harassment.

The University’s goal will remain to respond to formal complaints in a manner that will  stop the prohibited conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remediate any adverse effects of such conduct on campus or in University-related programs or activities. The University will also provide for informal resolution for complaints that do not involve an employee and a student.

The University will continue to address and revise University polices to ensure that all student’s rights are safeguarded, that the processes in place are fair and that the environment is inclusive for all members of the University community. The Title IX office has been working diligently with the Title IX project team to implement new Title IX regulations. In the midst of working on these changes, the shifting legal requirements of Title IX now require Title IX cases to have a hearing. Therefore, the Title IX office is implementing a virtual hearing process with cross-examination for all current cases.

The Title IX office understands that there are a lot of changes in an already uncertain time. However, we can assure you that we are doing everything that we can to implement a process that will provide fairness and safety for all members of the University community.

What is Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment is conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one of the following:

• An employee of the recipient conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the recipient on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e. quid pro quo);
• Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education program or activity;
• Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Sexual harassment is a matter of particular concern to an academic community in which students, faculty and staff are related by strong bonds of intellectual dependence and trust.

Reporting Sexual Harassment

You may contact any of the Title IX contacts listed on this page, under the Title IX Contacts heading, to make a report or you can complete an Online Incident Report. This report may be completed by a victim, a third party or anonymously. This report can be seen by the Vice President of Human Resources, the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Dean of Student Life, the Director of Student Development, and the Title IX & Diversity Specialist. Once a report is received it will be routed to the Title IX Coordinator who will determine what action, if any is required for the conduct that is alleged.

Any inquiries or complaints related to Title IX can be made by contacting, Vanessa Love, Director of Title IX and Diversity at 412-392-3980, vlove@pointpark.edu, or 201 Wood Street, 703 Student Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.