Important Title IX updates for faculty and staff

The following message was emailed to faculty and staff on behalf of Penny Rue, vice president for Campus Life, Kami Chavis, associate provost for academic initiatives and Aishah Casseus, director, Title IX Office:

Dear faculty and staff colleagues:

Recently, the U.S. Department of Education made substantial changes to Title IX regulations, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex or gender in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Such programs and activities must respond promptly to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination. As a result, Wake Forest University updated its Title IX policy effective August 14, 2020.

Please understand that the University’s number one priority remains the same: equity, fairness, access, safety and respect for the entire Wake Forest community. Outlined below are some updates and key information to help you better understand the changes.

Required Title IX Training 

The Title IX Office has developed a virtual training module, which will be required for faculty and staff. Colleagues will receive an email directly from our training partner EverFi with a personalized link to complete the training later this week.

Employee Sexual Harassment Policy

All Wake Forest faculty, staff and students are now covered under one policy that prohibits sexual harassment and sexual misconduct on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender expression and gender identity. There is no longer a separate sexual harassment policy for employees. 

Mandatory Reporting

Previously, all Wake Forest faculty and staff were required to report Title IX violations. The updated policy now specifies mandatory reporters, or employees who are required to report information about alleged discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex or gender to the Title IX Coordinator. Colleagues who are not mandatory reporters are still strongly encouraged to report information about alleged discrimination or harassment. A complete list of mandatory reporters is available in the Title IX Policy.

Filing a Title IX Complaint

Wake Forest faculty, staff and students may file a Formal Complaint under the policy by contacting the Title IX Office at titleixcoordinator@wfu.edu.The University encourages anyone who is considering filing a Formal Complaint to also consult a confidential resource. Confidential resources available to faculty and staff include the University Safe Office and the Employment Assistance Program (EAP).

Wake Forest’s Title IX 2020 Implementation Task Force includes five faculty members, survivor and respondent support professionals, representatives from human resources, athletics, the University’s legal department and students. We invite you to read more about how the group has navigated this work since early June.

If you have additional questions or concerns about these changes to the University’s Title IX policies or would like to arrange an appointment with the Title IX office, please email titleixcoordinator@wfu.edu or visit titleix.wfu.edu to learn more.

Sincerely,

Penny Rue, vice president for Campus Life
Kami Chavis, associate provost for academic initiatives
Aishah Casseus, director, Title IX Office