Statement from It’s On Us: Ahead of New Title IX Implementation, College Administrators Must Act Urgently

As students return to campus, institutions of higher education must step up education efforts around Title IX

Washington, DC: Tomorrow, Thursday, August 1, the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights will begin enforcement of the new Title IX regulations that impact college and university students who have experienced sexual harassment, including sexual violence, pregnant and parenting students and LGBTQIA+ students.

Tracey Vitchers, Executive Director of It’s On Us, the nation’s largest student organizing program dedicated to college sexual assault prevention, issued the following statement:

“Title IX has been a source of confusion and consternation since the regulatory changes in 2020 made it harder for students to report and obtain justice for sexual assault. Finally, thanks to the tireless work of survivors and advocates around the country, Title IX is returning to its original intent of protecting the civil rights of students in the aftermath of sexual violence.

As the new regulations face legal challenges in states across the country, administrators must do more to ensure that they are proactively educating their students about what Title IX looks like on their campuses. It is critical that every school has a strong sense of how regulations will be implemented and that this information is communicated as clearly as possible to students.

Failing to confront this challenge head-on, or brushing education efforts to the side, will only make our students more vulnerable to sexual violence. Administrators and organizations advocating on behalf of students have the power to combat disinformation, better support student survivors and prevent sexual assault on campuses — and we have an obligation to get it right.”

It’s On Us has long advocated for updated Title IX regulations that prioritize the protection of all students and survivors. Leading up to the implementation of the latest changes, It’s On Us hosted a call with more than 150 student advocates and issued the Title IX Toolkit to help students understand the changes being made to Title IX and hold their administrators accountable.

Press interested in speaking with Tracey Vitchers about Title IX should contact press@civicnation.org.