What is Title IX?
Oklahoma State University, as a public educational institution, must abide by Title IX regulations because it receives federal funding though federal financial aid programs used by students. Specifically, Title IX 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 program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Both Title IX and university policy prohibit discrimination in services or benefits offered by the university based upon gender.
Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination and therefore prohibited under Title IX. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature and may include unwelcomed sexual advances, sexual assaults, or requests for sexual favors.
This and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when:
- Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic standing;
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions or academic decisions affecting such individual; or
- Such conduct is sufficiently serious that it has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment. Harassment does not include verbal expressions or written material that is relevant and appropriately related to course subject matter or curriculum, and this policy shall not abridge academic freedom or the university's educational mission.
The following are examples of types of conduct that may constitute sexual harassment:
- Inappropriate touching, patting, or pinching
- Physical assault or coerced sexual activity
- Demands or subtle pressure for sexual favors
- Obscene phone calls, texts, email, or gestures
Any person (student, faculty, staff, or guest) who believes discriminatory practices have been engaged in based upon gender may discuss these concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with the Title IX Coordinator.
It is the policy of this university to provide equal employment and educational opportunity on the basis of merit without discrimination because of age, race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veterans’ status, or disability.
Mandatory Title IX Training
Mandatory reporters, also referred to as “Responsible Employees” are employees with supervisory authority to include but are not limited to unit heads, academic administrators, faculty members engaged in supervising student workers, intercollegiate athletic administrators and coaching staff members. Confidential reporters are professional and non-professional counselors, victim advocates, health care providers and clergy who may maintain a victim’s confidentiality and are not considered mandatory reporters or Responsible Employees. All OSU faculty and staff with the exception of confidential reporters are encouraged to promptly report incidents of sexual harassment, including sexual violence.
We thank you for your commitment in assisting the university in maintaining adherence to these federal compliance mandates and keeping our campus safe.
Below is a list of available online training specific to positions and FTE at OSU. Employees are not only classified as faculty or staff, but also according to their full-time equivalent (FTE).
- Faculty and Staff Appointment of .50 FTE or Greater
You can register for an instructor-led session or complete the online version of Title IX training through your employee Learning Management System.
- Faculty and Staff Appointment of .50 FTE or Less
- Student Employees
If you have any technical difficulties with the online course please contact Talent Development at 405.744.5374 or osu-trng@okstate.edu.
If you have questions regarding Title IX, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at OSU at 405.744.1156 or eeo@okstate.edu.