Dear Campus Community:

On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education released its Title IX Final Rule, amending existing regulations. This rule mandates how recipients of federal financial assistance, including post-secondary institutions, must address and remedy sex discrimination and sex-based harassment across all educational and employment activities. These new regulations took effect on August 1, 2024.

Key Updates and Institutional Commitment

The Final Rule outlines essential requirements for addressing sex discrimination in a way that aligns our Title IX Resolution process with both best practices and our community’s values. Our institutional officials have thoroughly assessed the Final Rule to develop a compliance plan that upholds our standards and responsibilities.

While we’ve updated certain procedures, many of our longstanding practices will continue, including:

Written Notice: Allegations and available resolution processes will be clearly communicated in writing.
Presumption of Innocence: Respondents are presumed not responsible until proven otherwise by the evidence.
Equitable Resolution Process: Our process remains fair and transparent, ensuring participants have access to evidence before any final determination.
Supportive Measures: We continue to provide reasonable and appropriate support for all parties involved.
Timely Notifications: Final determinations will be promptly communicated to all parties.
Proportionate Sanctions: Sanctions will reflect the severity of policy violations, considering the respondent’s disciplinary history and any aggravating or mitigating factors.
Trained Title IX Professionals: Our Title IX team is well-trained, unbiased, and free from conflicts of interest.

Enhanced Training and Education

As mandated by the Final Rule, all employees will receive annual training on Title IX, including prohibited behaviors, reporting duties, and information-sharing responsibilities. Students will continue to receive annual education on Title IX, reporting options, and available resources.

New Protections Under the 2024 Regulations

The 2024 regulations introduce several new protections, including:

Updated Definitions: Revised definitions of offenses, including sex-based harassment.
Expanded Supportive Measures: Enhanced support for impacted parties.
Diverse Resolution Processes: Introduction of various resolution processes, including informal resolution.
Continued Mandated Reporting: All employees, except Confidential employees as defined by our Title IX Procedures Policy, are required to report Title IX concerns.
LGBTQIA+ Protections: Clarification of Title IX’s protection of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Intentional misgendering or mispronouning that causes more than minimal harm may constitute a Title IX violation.
Broader Protections for Pregnancy: When a student discloses pregnancy or a related condition, all faculty and employees must provide the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information and inform them that the Title IX Office can assist with reasonable accommodations and ensure equal access to education. A sample response can be found here.
- Title IX Coordinator’s contact information:

Dr. Nicki Veloz

TitleIX@sandiego.edu

619-260-4594

Human Resources - Maher 101

Our Ongoing Commitment

We remain dedicated to maintaining an educational and employment environment free from sex discrimination and sex-based harassment. We will continue to foster a community and culture that is respectful, inclusive, and supportive.

USD’s Title IX Policy Prohibiting Sex Discrimination and Sex-Based Harassment and Grievance Procedures can be found here.

For more details, you can access the full text of the Final Rule and its extensive preamble here. A brief overview of key provisions of the 2024 Title IX Final Rule is also available here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Title IX Office at TitleIX@sandiego.edu.

Sincerely,

Nicki Schuessler Veloz, Ph.D.

Director of Title IX, EEO and Employee Relations