Title IX

Paula Varnes Fussell, Vice President for Human Resource Services

The University of Florida has zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking.  In addition, federal laws, specifically Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and 34 C.F.R. Part 106, prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender in education programs or activities.   Sexual harassment of students, staff and faculty–which includes acts of sexual violence–is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX and UF Regulation.

The Office of the Vice President for Human Resource Services has been assigned the responsibility of coordinating Title IX compliance.  To assist with this compliance, Kim Baxley, Director of Employee and Labor Relations, Human Resource Services, has been appointed the University Title IX Coordinator.  Additionally, ten Deputy Title IX Coordinators have been appointed to assist with activities in support of Title IX.  Contact information for Kim and the Title IX Deputies may be found at http://hr.ufl.edu/working-at-uf/support/title-ix-at-uf/, along with other resources, including information about reporting options.

We are also pleased to announce that on September 29 – 30, 2015, the University of Florida will host the second annual workshop that provides investigative training and training for administrators to help them understand and meet Title IX compliance standards. This training will be provided by Brandon Washington and Ande Durojaiye. Mr. Washington previously served as an Investigator with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Washington served as lead or secondary investigator in more than 170 federal civil rights cases. Mr. Washington also successfully mediated cases for OCR, and provided internal and external training on Title VI, Title IX, Title II, and the ADA. Mr. Durojaiye previously served as an Attorney with OCR. Mr. Durojaiye engaged in investigations and other aspects of civil rights enforcement, provided legal guidance and conducted technical assistance. In addition, Mr. Durojaiye was involved in more than 150 civil rights investigations.

The program is ideal for any administrator involved in responding to reports of sexual violence or hearing appeals on campus.  Examples of employees who are encouraged to attend include: legal affairs officers, student affairs officers, judicial affairs officers, campus safety and security personnel, sworn law enforcement officers, equal opportunity administrators, Title IX coordinators, human resources and senior administrators, and administrators who hear appeals. Attendees may document their attendance and include the program in their campus Title IX records of education and training.

For additional information and to register for the training, please visit http://hr.ufl.edu/manager-resources/recruitment-staffing/institutional-equity-diversity/title-ix-conference/ or call (352) 392-2477.