New Title IX regulations coming to Elon University in fall 2024

The new Title IX regulations will be made available to Elon on August 1, according to an email from Megan Karbley, director of compliance and Title IX coordinator, to the student government. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance, pursuant to sec United States Department of Education website.

Karbley wrote that some key points of the new regulations include increased pregnancy protections, mandatory reporting of harassment and gender-based harassment, and expanded response options.

The enhanced protections will include explicit protections for people against discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions. Mandatory reporting of gender-based harassment means that all faculty and staff will be required to report incidents of gender-based harassment and gender-based harassment, including harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity, to the Title IX office . The expansion of response capabilities means Elon can now consider consolidating its anti-sexual harassment process from two separate processes for a broader response.

These updates come from guidance from the Department of Education published on April 19. These guidelines outline how schools receiving federal funding must respond to harassment and gender-based harassment.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to equity and accountability, these changes are intended to ensure that all Elon members feel supported and empowered,” Karbley wrote in an email to the student body.

Karbley did not respond to Elon News Network’s request for immediate comment.

To make this change, the Title IX Office will work with the Commission on Sexual Assault and Gender Issues and the Center on Gender and LGBTQIA this summer, Karbley wrote. Faculty, staff and students will receive training sessions and information resources to familiarize themselves with the updated regulations, Karbley wrote.