Title IX at Georgia Tech

At Georgia Tech, we want everyone to achieve their potential and this means sustaining an environment where there is equal opportunity for excellence.  Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law designed to ensure women and men are provided equal access to programs and activities at educational institutions that receive federal financial assistance.

Title IX encompasses more than athletics and federally funded research endeavors. It forbids sex discrimination in student services and academic programs as well.

Our policies and practices are the anchors in creating an inclusive campus culture. Every member of the Tech community – students, faculty, staff and administrators – is expected to comply with Title IX and to practice respectful, ethical and equitable treatment of others, regardless of their sex.

Understanding Title IX and the rights it protects is critical to preventing any discriminatory behavior in violation of the law. You can learn more about Title IX compliance by visiting titleix.gatech.edu.

Our collective success and the reputation of the Institute depend on how we treat each other as individuals.

Sexual Discrimination, Harassment or Violence –  Victim Rights:

If you have been discriminated against, harassed or are the victim of sexual violence by a student, you are entitled to an investigation by the Title IX office, in addition to filing charges directly with the GT Police Department.  Title IX investigations can be requested without filing charges with the GT Police Department.  If the conduct was committed by an employee while on campus, you may contact the Office of Human Resources to pursue an investigation.

General Overview of a Student Title IX Investigation:

An investigation typically begins with a claim or complaint.  The person reporting the claim is referred to as the Claimant or Complainant.  This may or may not be the victim in the case. If it is not the victim, an attempt is made to speak with the victim, in addition to the claimant. 

During the meeting with the claimant and/or victim, information about the incident, including the name of the respondent (accused), is collected.  Accommodations and interim measures are also discussed with the claimant and/or victim, to determine if immediate adjustments are needed.  Examples of accommodations and/or interim measures include:

No contact order, alternative housing arrangements (if a student lives on campus), alternative work location or hours, class/testing changes or reassignment of duties.

An investigator is assigned and interviews are set up with potential witnesses, including the claimant and respondent.  In appropriate cases, the Institute may retain the services of an outside investigator to conduct the investigation and interviews. The parties will be notified before an outside investigator contacts them.

Based on what is discovered in the first round of interviews, next steps may vary. A second round of interviews may occur based on new information discovered in round one of the interviews.

General Overview of a Student Title IX Investigation (cont’d):

Once the investigation is complete, the investigator will confer with the Title IX Coordinator regarding the investigation's findings.

In some cases, the Institute's legal counsel may also provide input. Once the investigator's report is final, the respondent and claimant are notified of the findings in separate meetings.

If probable cause exists to believe that a policy violation may have occurred, the allegations are forwarded to the Office of Student Integrity. A Sexual Misconduct Hearing Panel, whose members are thoroughly trained in the conduct of hearings and the Institute's obligations under Title IX, will hear evidence, make a determination as to the respondent's responsibility and, if applicable, impose appropriate sanctions.

The Office of Student Integrity may periodically follow up with the parties to address any ongoing concerns.

If this handout does not answer questions you may have about the Title IX investigation process, please contact the Office of the Title IX Coordinator at 404-385-5583.

Under no circumstances will retaliation be tolerated.  If retaliation should happen, you are encouraged to report it to the Office of the Title IX Coordinator immediately.