In accordance with Title IX regulations, the university has designated Sarah Olejniczak as the University’s Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator is the designated university official with primary responsibility for coordinating the university’s compliance with Title IX. This includes providing leadership for Title IX activities; providing consultation, education and training; and helping to ensure the university responds appropriately, effectively and equitably to Title IX issues.

For questions, comments or reports:

Title IX Coordinator
540-432-4849

titleixcoordinator@emu.edu

Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972

"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 is about fairness and eliminating any barriers to a quality education at institutions which receive federal funding.  All members of the campus community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. 

Behavior that harms others or threatens campus security and falls under the category of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct is prohibited at EMU under the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy. Sexual harassment involves the unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s educational program or activity.  

Sexual misconduct encompasses sexual exploitation, indecent exposure, and sexual discrimination (definitions provided below). Sexual misconduct may occur through physical violence, the threat of violence, and/or coercion.  An incident of sexual misconduct can consist of a single act or a pattern of acts. Incidents of sexual misconduct can occur separate from or in tandem with incidents of relationship violence.

Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) is committed to establishing and maintaining a community rich in equality and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. As an institution rooted in the values of Christian discipleship, community, service, peacebuilding, and restorative justice.  EMU commits itself to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. Relationship violence and sexual misconduct are prohibited at EMU. Relationship violence and sexual misconduct are community challenges and can only be prevented through active community participation.      

The full relationship violence and sexual misconduct policy is detailed online. Explore the table of contents below.

Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy

Table of Contents

• SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
• SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS
• SECTION 3: SCOPE OF POLICY
• SECTION 4: PROHIBITED CONDUCT
• SECTION 5: CONSENT
• SECTION 6: CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIPS
• SECTION 7: REPORTING
• SECTION 8: RESOURCES AND SUPPORTIVE MEASURES
• Appendix A: Procedures
• Appendix B: Rights of the Complainant
• Appendix C: Rights of the Respondent
• Appendix D: Training and Prevention Education
• Appendix E: Confidential Resources
• Appendix F: Transcript Notation

Download the policy

Policy revised August 2020
Policy revised August 2019
Approved by President's Cabinet, 2017

At EMU, we know that nobody can do everything, but each of us has a role to play in keeping our campus safe. Do your part by learning about available resources, connecting to EMU’s prevention initiatives, and taking action to prevent sexual violence on campus. 

Explore prevention resources through Safer Together. 

In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education's Title IX Regulations, released May 6, 2020,  EMU has trained personnel involved in Title IX processes, and is here publishing a record of such training, along with links to associated training materials. Training has involved a review of the 2020 rule’s definition of sexual harassment and the scope and application of Title IX to university programs and activities, how to conduct formal or informal processes, and how to “serve impartially,” including avoidance of “prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias.”

The Title IX coordinator keeps a record of all training received by staff. 

In compliance with the Department of Education’s Title IX Final Rule released May 6, 2020, EMU completed RVSM policy revisions which were approved by cabinet in August, 2020.  A summary of RVSM policy revisions includes:

General RVSM Framework: The enhanced Title IX regulations of the Final Rule have been folded in to the existing EMU RVSM policy and remains consistent where possible for matters outside the new Title IX definition for Sexual Harassment in a University program or activity in the United States in which EMU controls the context.  However, the RVSM has been cleaned up so that it does not conflict with the new Title IX regs. and to ensure that it addresses the University’s VAWA and Clery obligations.

Prohibited sex based conduct falls into two categories:
1. Sexual Harassment (Dept. of Ed): Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s educational program or activity.  This will constitute a Title IX violation.
2. Relationship Violence & Sexual Misconduct (EMU): All other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature determined by a reasonable person to be severe, pervasive, or offensive.  This will constitute a violation of the RVSM policy.

The new regulations have a more focused definition for what qualifies as a Title IX violation, but as an institution, we still want to address the things beyond that more narrow definition that create harm/sex discrimination within our community.  

The new regulations represent the most basic level of response required, but EMU intends to meet and exceed these standards because we are committed to establishing and maintaining a community rich in equality and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.

Definitions and Terminology 
EMU’s updated RVSM policy incorporates the required new definitions and language (eg. Complainant, Respondent, Recipient, Grievance Process, etc).

Jurisdiction
EMU’s updated RVSM policy recognizes the new jurisdictional guidelines for Title IX matters and will address allegations which fall outside of those guidelines, including those that may happen while students are outside of the United States, through the RVSM. 

Grievance Procedures
While all EMU employees remain mandated reporters, certain administrators are additionally considered Officials With Authority (OWA).  An OWA is an EMU employee who is explicitly vested with the responsibility to implement corrective measures for harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation on behalf of EMU, which means that when they become aware of a situation of sexual harassment or a possible Title IX issue, the university has received "official notice."  The full list of OWA includes:
     University President
     Provost
     Associate & Assistant Provosts
     Dean of School of Social Sciences & Professions
     Dean of School of Theology, Humanities, & Performing Arts
     Dean of School of Science, Engineering, Art, and Nursing
     Dean of Students
     Director of Human Resources
     Title IX Coordinator
     Director of Athletics
     Student Life Directors
     Deputy Title IX Coordinators

EMU’s new RVSM procedures will utilize three separate officials to work through separate pieces of a Formal Title IX Complaint process: a Title IX coordinator; an investigator (internal or external depending on various mitigating factors); and a decision maker.

Standard of Evidence 
EMU intends to retain our adoption of the “preponderance of the evidence” standard.

Informal Procedures
Over the next year or so we will spend time as a community to determine if adaptable resolutions options, including whether some RJ informed procedures would be welcomed by our community.

Training Requirements
EMU will meet or exceed the training requirements.  Training records for all Title IX personnel can be viewed online at https://emu.edu/titleix/ under the drop down entitled ‘Title IX Training for Personnel’

EMU aspires to offer students a safe and happy campus. Your peace of mind is very important to us. Campus security officers patrol grounds daily on foot and by car and are ready to respond in any emergency. Faculty and staff are trained in crisis communication and response. Harrisonburg City Police offer support and timely notifications of issues near campus.

Learn more and download the safety and security report

Know Your Title IX - Mandarin translation

Know Your Title IX - Spanish translation