On Friday, April 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education published its unofficial version of the final regulations for Title IX which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. The new regulations are effective on August 1, 2024, and also include provisions that expand protections for Penn students, trainees, faculty, and staff who are pregnant or parenting. Learn More
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Title IX
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
The University of Pennsylvania is committed to providing learning, living and working environments that are free from discrimination on the basis of sex for students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. Penn’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and Sexual Misconduct Policies (PDF) are among the policies and procedures that support the University's commitment to inclusive excellence.
The Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Officer is available to provide information about support, resources, and process options regarding Title IX for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. In addition, they will be available to respond to reports and concerns related to Penn’s compliance with its own sex discrimination policy and federal, state or local regulations.
Please visit the Resources page for both confidential and non-confidential resource offices that are available to assist members of the University community and provide support and options counseling.
Rights of Complainants and Respondents
Persons who make a complaint and those who are responding to complaints have the following rights:
- The option to notify law enforcement;
- The option to have an advisor, including an attorney the party has retained, present during interviews that are part of a University-initiated investigation;
- To be notified of counseling and support services available;
- To be notified of options to change academic, living, or work arrangements.
Policy Against Retaliation
University policy expressly prohibits retaliation against faculty, staff, or students who in good faith make a report of a violation of the University's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action or Sexual Misconduct Policies. In addition, knowingly and intentionally making a false report of a violation of University's policy is prohibited. Members of the Penn community who take adverse action against someone who reports a violation of the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy or the Sexual Misconduct Policy, intimidates, threatens or otherwise engages in retaliation is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of their employment or expulsion from the University.
Confidentiality
Conversations with the Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Officer are kept as private as possible, but information about incidents of sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct, must be shared with relevant administrators if the University needs to take action for reasons of community safety. In all cases, the wishes of the person initiating the conversation are given full consideration.
Related Penn Policies
- Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy
- Sexual Misconduct Policy (PDF)
- Principles of Responsible Conduct
Title IX Officer
Michele Rovinsky-Mayer, AVP & Title IX Officer
3901 Walnut Street, Suite 320
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3682
Tel: (215) 898-2887
Fax: (215) 898-3770
titleIXofficer@upenn.edu