Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex under any education program or activity receiving federal funding. Sexual assault and sexual harassment are forms for sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX.

Mason is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of our community, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in any education or employment programs and activities.  To that end, this policy prohibits specific forms of behavior that violate Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”); and/or the Virginia Human Rights Act.  Such behavior also requires the university to fulfill certain obligations under the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”) and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”).

University Policy 1202 - Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Interpersonal Violence - prohibits Sexual Assault, Sexual Exploitation, Intimate Partner Violence, Stalking, Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment, Complicity in the commission of any act prohibited by this policy, and Retaliation against a person for the good faith reporting of any of these forms of conduct or participation in any investigation or proceeding under this policy (collectively, “Prohibited Conduct”). These forms of Prohibited Conduct are unlawful, undermine the character and purpose of the university, and will not be tolerated.

The university adopts this policy with the intention of:

• Eliminating, preventing, and addressing the effects of prohibited conduct;
• Creating a climate where all individuals are well-informed and supported in reporting prohibited conduct;
• Providing a prompt, fair, and impartial process for all parties; and
• Identifying the standards by which violations of this policy will be evaluated and disciplinary action may be imposed. 

Employees or students who violate this policy may face disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion.  The university will take prompt and equitable action to eliminate Prohibited Conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.  The university conducts ongoing prevention, awareness, and training programs for employees and students to facilitate the goals of this policy.  It is the responsibility of every member of the university community to foster an environment free of Prohibited Conduct.  All members of the university community are encouraged to take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent or stop an act of Prohibited Conduct.  The university will support and assist community members who take such actions.

In addition, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) provides the following policy guidance to educational institutions:

• "Dear Colleague" letter (2017)
• Revised Sexual Harassment Guidance (2001)