Greetings all:
It is no secret that Title IX has been in the news for some time now. Two reports issued over the summer noted issues with Title IX compliance across the CSU system.
What follows is the annual message about Title IX -- what it addresses and how reporting can be done. The message will be familiar to those of you who have been with CSU in previous years; as the reports indicated, the relatively high number of Title IX complaints on the SSU campus signifies that our community likely knows how to take appropriate action in this area and what processes to follow.
This year especially, please let your review of the non-discrimination policy not be simply required reading of a long-standing law. Rather, let it be a reminder to all of us that there is always more work to be done in this area. We all have a part to play in ensuring our campus culture is one of acceptance, kindness, and care. As President Mike Lee confirmed in his Convocation address during Welcome Week 2023, "Harassment and discrimination of any kind have no place at Sonoma State. They are inhumane, unjust, and in direct opposition to our mission and values."
The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, which includes sex and gender identity or gender expression, or sexual orientation, in its education programs or activities. In addition, the CSU prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon any protected status, including Age, Disability (physical and mental), Gender (or sex, including sex stereotyping), Gender Identity (including transgender), Gender Expression, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion (or religious creed), Sexual Orientation, and Veteran or Military Status.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation in employment, as well as in all education programs and activities operated by the University (both on and off campus), including admissions. The protection against discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation includes sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating and domestic violence, and stalking.
Any person may report discrimination, harassment, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct that could constitute sex or other protected class discrimination or sexual harassment), in-person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed below for the Title IX Coordinator/DHR Administatator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator/DHR Administatator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) at https://ophd.sonoma.edu/, or by contacting the Title IX Coordinator/DHR Administatator by the means listed below.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX complaints for Sonoma State University:
Julie Vivas, J.D.
Sr. Director and Title IX Officer, Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination
207 International Hall
Email: ophd@sonoma.edu
707-664-2480
https://ophd.sonoma.edu/
Questions may also be addressed to:
Office for Civil Rights
San Francisco Office
U.S. Department of Education 50 United Nations Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 486-5555
Facsimile: (415) 486-5570
Email: OCR.SanFrancisco@ed.gov