On August 3, 2020, the University implemented two new policies related to sexual misconduct: the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy and the University Sexual Misconduct policy.

By way of background, in May of 2020, the U.S. Department of Education issued new regulations mandating how colleges and universities must investigate and adjudicate sexual misconduct cases under Title IX, a federal statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity.  Like all educational institutions that receive federal funding, Princeton was required to amend its current policies to implement these new regulations.  As a result, the policies were approved by the full faculty on July 27, 2020, and by the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) earlier today.  These new policies are effective immediately (August 3, 2020).

• One policy, the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy, addresses sexual misconduct that falls within the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX regulations; this policy is limited in its jurisdiction. 
• A second policy, the University Sexual Misconduct policy, addresses sexual misconduct that does not fall within the scope of the U.S. Department of Education’s Title IX regulations.

Princeton continues to take sexual misconduct extremely seriously and is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming educational and working environment for all members of its community.  It is important to know that all conduct of a sexual nature that previously constituted a violation of University policy will continue to constitute a violation of University policy.  However, such conduct may now be adjudicated under different grievance procedures.

We ask that community members review the full text of the new policies; important points from which are summarized in this infographic.  In addition, the Sexual Misconduct & Title IX website and the Sexual Misconduct Investigations website provide additional details regarding the policies and processes.  We will continue to update these materials over the coming weeks.

We want to thank the students, faculty, and staff members who represented the campus community during the processes required to create and approve these policies on short notice.  They include the members of the Faculty Advisory Committee on Policy (consisting of faculty and administrators), the full faculty, the members of the Rights, Rules Committee of the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) (consisting of undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff), and the full CPUC (consisting of undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni).

If you have any questions about the new policies, please contact the Office of Gender Equity & Title IX Administration ([email protected]), and we would be happy to answer questions about the policies, as well as arrange information sessions regarding the new policies for student groups, departments, or offices.  In addition, we anticipate holding meetings with the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), Graduate Student Government (GSG), and CPUC in the fall and hope that you will join these meetings if you have questions regarding the new policies.

This University homepage story has additional, detailed information.