Update regarding the Dept. of Education’s proposed new Title IX regulations

Dear Kenyon community,

It is widely expected that the Department of Education will soon issue new federal regulations regarding the enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. While we do not yet know for certain what the new regulations will mandate or the date by when the College will be required to comply, we want you to be informed about how the College’s Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy and process might be affected. 

Please read this FAQ, available on Kenyon’s Title IX webpage. Any student or employee with questions about sexual misconduct, intimate partner violence, support options, or the proposed federal regulations is encouraged to contact Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator Samantha Hughes (hughess@kenyon.edu) and/or Civil Rights and Title IX Deputy Coordinator Kevin Peterson (peterson2@kenyon.edu). 

Until new federal regulations are finalized, the College will continue to follow its established policy. The College will inform the campus community and provide opportunities for feedback if any portions of Kenyon’s policy and/or process need to be changed. While Kenyon has confidence in its current policy, which was written during the 2014–15 academic year and adopted in the 2015–16 academic year, some revisions to College policy may be required due to the need to comply with new federal regulations.

Regardless of the content of the finalized regulations, Kenyon is committed to fostering a campus environment that is free from sex- and gender-based harassment, discrimination, and violence. We strive to provide all members of the campus community with the opportunity to learn and work in a setting that is safe and supportive. If an incident of sex- or gender-based discrimination or harassment is reported, the College will work to treat all parties involved with fairness and sensitivity while fulfilling the College’s obligations as outlined in the Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy.  

Sincerely, 

Samantha Hughes

Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator