What is 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.” – Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Basics

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681) is an all-encompassing federal law that prohibits gender- and sex-based discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funds. Title IX is most commonly associated with gender discrimination in sports and is credited with advancing participation of women in athletics. However, the scope of Title IX is much more broad. It prohibits sex- and gender-based discrimination in all college programs and activities.

Title IX protection from discrimination extends to faculty, staff and students. It covers a wide array of sex- and gender-based discrimination, including such things as: sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, gender-identity, gender-expression, and pregnancy. It also prohibits retaliation against anyone who makes or participates in a complaint.

Funnel showing five balls labeled "Pregnant & Parenting Students", "Athletics", "Gender-based Discrimination", "Sexual Harassment", and "Retaliation" funneling down to the words "Title IX"

Related Bellevue College Policies

  1. 1440 Prevention of Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation
  2. 2050 Student Conduct Code

Title IX FAQs