Office of Title IX Programs & Compliance
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits colleges and universities that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. Sexual harassment, which includes acts of sexual assault, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. Title IX provides:
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 of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C §1681, et seq.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges are committed to fostering a welcoming, safe, non-discriminatory and harassment-free educational, living, and working environment for all members of the HWS community. The Office of Title IX Programs and Compliance provides prevention and education programming, and receives reports and complaints of sexual misconduct. We work with all involved parties to connect to support services on and off campus, and oversee a fair and compliant grievance process per the Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy.
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You have the right to make a report of sexual misconduct to Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Office of Campus Safety, local law enforcement, and/or New York State Police or choose not to report; to report the incident to Hobart and William Smith’s Office of Title IX Programs and Compliance; to be protected by the Colleges from retaliation for reporting an incident, and to receive assistance and resources from the Colleges. |
More Information
OPTIONS AFTER AN EXPERIENCE OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
There are many options available to members of the HWS community after an experience of sexual misconduct.
REPORT AN INCIDENT
There are multiple ways in which members of the HWS community can disclose an experience of sexual misconduct.
Title IX, Harassment, and Discrimination Policy
The HWS Title IX, Harassment, and Discrimination Policy prohibits specific forms of behavior that violate Title IX and other applicable state and federal laws, as well as HWS’s Discrimination Policy. Related to Title IX, the policy prohibits all sexual misconduct including: sex or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, physical assault, stalking and retaliation.
RESOURCES FOR COMPLAINANTS
If you have filed a complaint of sexual misconduct, support and resources are available.
RESOURCES FOR RESPONDENTS
If a complaint of sexual misconduct has been filed against you, support and resources are available.
RESOURCES FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Those involved in a Title IX related matter often turn to family and friends for support.
SURVEY DATA AND RESOURCES
Learn about campus climate and resources related to sexual violence prevention and response.
PREVENTION PROGRAMMING/TRAINING
There are multiple ways for HWS members to engage with prevention and education efforts.
BILL OF RIGHTS
HWS upholds the "Students' Bill of Rights" as part of its Code of Conduct.
STAFF
The Office of Title IX Programs and Compliance staff and contact information.
Other Misconduct
Identity-related discrimination, bullying, harassment, or other offenses outside of Title IX-protected sex or gender-based misconduct should be reported using the HWS Bias Incidence Reporting Team (BIRT) report submission portal. Visit our BIRT Protocol page if you wish to file a BIRT report, or want more information about the BIRT reporting process. For more information on HWS policies applicable to non-sex or gender based misconduct, review the HWS Community Standards Handbook. Specific reference is made to the section entitled “Student Conduct Process” (beginning on page 51). Note that, depending on the nature of the offense, the appropriate jurisdiction for resolution may be the VP for Campus Life, the Deans’ Office, the Committee on Standards, or the Vice President for Academic Affairs.