Title IX

Fayetteville State University is committed to fostering safe and respectful university environments that better protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors from incidents of sex-based discrimination.

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION:

Fayetteville State University does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any of its education programs or activities, including in admissions and employment.

Fayetteville State University seeks to comply with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances prohibiting discrimination in public post-secondary education institutions. The University does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of any actual or perceived protected characteristic under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process within the institution or other agency.

Any member of the University community whose acts deny, deprive, unreasonably interfere with or limit the education or employment opportunities of any member of the University community, guest, or visitor on the basis of that person’s actual or perceived protected characteristic(s), is in violation of University policy.

The University will promptly and effectively address any such discrimination of which it has Knowledge/Notice using the resolution process in the Complaint Resolution Procedures and/or Nondiscrimination Procedures.

This Notice applies to all faculty, employees, students, and other individuals participating in or attempting to participate in the University’s program or activities, including education and employment.

The Chief Title IX Coordinator monitors and oversees the university’s compliance with Title IX and related laws in the prevention of sex-discrimination, including the coordination of education and training activities and the response to Title IX complaints. Students, faculty, administrators, staff, or others who participate in Fayetteville State University's education programs and activities with questions, concerns, or complaints about sex discrimination, sex harassment or sexual misconduct are encouraged to contact the Title IX Office.


Related Policies 


Policy Statement on Non-Discrimination

Fayetteville State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and employment and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race,  color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic  information or veteran status. Moreover, Fayetteville State University values diversity and actively seeks to recruit talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. 

Any individual with a concern, grievance or complaint of discrimination or retaliation should utilize the University’s policies listed above or the applicable employment related grievance procedures for faculty and EPA non-faculty employees.

Policy Statement on Non-Discrimination

Prohibited Sexual Conduct Complaint Resolution Process

PURPOSE

The Prohibited Sexual Conduct Complaint Resolution Process (Complaint Resolution Process) serves as a companion to Fayetteville State University’s (University) Prohibited Sexual Conduct policy (Policy).  The Complaint Resolution Process outlines the specific procedures used to resolve Complaints under the Policy.

The University will act on any Notice, Complaint, or Knowledge of a potential violation of the Prohibited Sexual Conduct (“the Policy”) that is received by the Title IX Office or any other Mandated Reporter by applying the Resolution Process below.  

Prohibited Sexual Conduct Complaint Resolution Process

This procedure applies to incidents that occur on or after August 1, 2024.

Prohibited Sexual Conduct (Incidents Occurring on or Before August 13, 2020)

INTRODUCTION


Fayetteville State University (“University”) is committed to fostering a healthy and safe environment free from sex/gender-based discrimination and harassment. As such, the University does not tolerate any kind of gender-based misconduct, which includes sexual misconduct,relationship violence or stalking. In keeping with this commitment, the University has implemented this Policy, the purpose of which is to define prohibited acts of conduct based upon sex/gender, outline the process for reporting violations of this Policy and outline the process used to investigate and adjudicate alleged violations of this Policy.


This Policy only addresses prohibited sexual conduct committed by a student against another student. Students who believe they have been subjected to an act of prohibited sexual conduct are encouraged to report the incident. Upon receiving a report, the University will respond promptly, equitably, and thoroughly. In addition, the University will take steps to prevent the recurrence of the conduct. When used in this Policy, the term “Complainant” refers to a student who may have University Policy: 405 been the alleged victim of any prohibited sexual conduct and the term “Accused Student” refers to a student who has been accused of engaging in prohibited sexual conduct. 


Prohibited sexual conduct reportedly committed by faculty, staff, or third parties against students,  employees or third parties will be addressed in accordance with the University’s Sexual Harassment policy. Prohibited sexual conduct reportedly committed by students against  employees or third parties will be addressed in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct. All such allegations shall be reviewed, investigated and resolved in accordance with the respective policy.

Prohibited Sexual Conduct

Prohibited Sexual Conduct (Incidents Occurring on or After August 14, 2020)

PURPOSE


The purpose of this Prohibited Sexual Conduct Policy (Policy) is to set forth the commitment of Fayetteville State University (University) to maintaining a campus environment free of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, relationship misconduct, and retaliation and to address the University’s obligations for responding to complaints of Title IX Sexual Harassment and Retaliation pursuant to the U.S. Department of Education’s regulations.


This Policy also applies when the University has actual knowledge of Prohibited Sexual Conduct; the Prohibited Sexual Conduct occurred within the University’s Education Programs or Activities; and the Prohibited Sexual Conduct is against a person in the United States.

Prohibited Sexual Conduct

Sexual Harassment

PURPOSE

Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. In complying with Title IX, Fayetteville State University (University) prohibits and will not tolerate sex discrimination.


The purpose of this policy (Policy) to set forth the University’s commitment to maintaining an environment free of sexual harassment and to inform the University community of the process involved in filing and investigating allegations of sexual harassment. The University is committed to investigateing and if necessary adjudicating allegations of sexual harassment in a prompt and equitable manner.

Sexual Harassment

This Policy is effective for incidents occurring on or before August 13, 2020. 

Title IX

INTRODUCTION


Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits educational institutions from discriminating on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities. Fayetteville State University (University) adheres to Title IX and does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, to include admissions and employment.

Title IX also requires such institutions to adopt and publish grievance procedures to resolve student and employee complaints alleging discrimination prohibited by Title IX. To ensure compliance with Title IX and in an effort to ensure that employees and students receive prompt and equitable resolution of complaints involving sex discrimination, the University has implemented policies and procedures that address complaints of sex discrimination. This document summarizes those policies and procedures applicable to Title IX.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX
Coordinator.

Title IX

Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation

PURPOSE

Fayetteville State University (University) is committed to equality of educational opportunity and employment and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. Moreover, Fayetteville State University values diversity and actively seeks to recruit talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.

No person, on the basis of protected status, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any University program or activity. This ensures that only relevant factors are considered, and that equitable and consistent standards of conduct and performance are applied. This Policy provides for the prompt and equitable resolution of reports of discrimination, harassment, and related misconduct.

This policy (Policy) is not applicable to reports of conduct that meet the definition of Prohibited Sexual Conduct under the Prohibited Sexual Conduct policy. Such conduct will be addressed solely in accordance with the Prohibited Sexual Conduct policy and its Complaint Resolution Procedures.


Additionally, employees subject to the State Human Resources Act (SHRA) who allege unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation must first file a report with the University’s Equal University Policy: 409 Employment Office (EEO) housed in the Office of Human Resources. Faculty and non-faculty employees exempt from the Human Resources Act (EHRA) must file reports with the Director of Compliance, Equity and Risk Management and not the EEO Office

Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation

Unlawful Workplace Harassment

PURPOSE

All employees have the right to work in an environment free from discrimination and harassing conduct. No State employee shall engage in conduct that falls under the definition of unlawful workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, and no employment decisions shall be made on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, color, disability, or genetic information.

The purpose of this policy is to establish that Fayetteville State University (the University) prohibits in any form unlawful workplace harassment or retaliation based on opposition to unlawful workplace harassment of employees and has developed strategies to ensure that work sites are free from unlawful workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

Unlawful Workplace Harassment