The University and the Law School are committed to creating and fostering a campus environment free from all forms of sex discrimination. Title IX, as well as state law and university policy, protect all members of our campus community who experience sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, interpersonal violence (including dating and domestic violence), stalking, or discrimination on the basis of pregnancy.
The University’s Title IX Office, Office for Inclusion and Equity, and Department of Investigation and Adjudication are responsible for investigating all Title IX reports at UT Austin. The Law School does not have its own Title IX process. Any Title IX incident involving law students, faculty, or staff must be reported to and addressed by the University’s Title IX Office.
Assistant Dean Elizabeth Bangs has received comprehensive Title IX training and is available to provide resources and support. Any student with questions or concerns about Title IX is welcome and encouraged to contact either Dean Bangs or the Title IX office.
Mandatory Reporters
All University employees (both faculty and staff) who are not designated as Confidential Resources are required to promptly report any knowledge of any incidents of sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking “committed by or against a person who was a student enrolled at or an employee of the institution at the time of the incident.” Texas Education Code 51.252. If you disclose a Title IX incident to a faculty or staff member, they are required to report the incident to the University’s Title IX Office. As a student, you always have the option to request a dismissal of the investigation or be a Reluctant Complainant in the investigation process, which means you don’t have to participate in the investigation.
Not ready to file a report?
If you have been subject to or have become aware of a possible Title IX violation, but you are not ready to file a report or pursue the grievance process, the University has designated a number of Confidential Resources. These are staff members who are not required to report Title IX incidents that are disclosed to them. They include the providers at the Counseling and Mental Health Center and trained, professional Advocates in the Student Emergency Services Office. When meeting with a confidential support person, you may share as much or as little as you feel comfortable. Confidential Resources are available to help by:
- Offering a safe and private setting to discuss questions, concerns, and experiences;
- Providing information about your rights and options regarding the Title IX reporting and investigation process;
- Exploring academic, housing, medical, and or/ financial accommodations and remedies; and
- Referring you to other on- and off-campus resources.
File a Title IX Report
If you have been subject to a possible Title IX violation — or are concerned about a possible violation you have witnessed or become aware of — and wish to initiate the grievance process, you may file a report directly with the Title IX Office or meet with Dean Bangs for assistance in filing a report.
Why report?
- The incident has negatively affected your academics or employment.
- You have concerns about your safety or the safety of the community.
- You need someone to confide in or want to seek assistance and support, even if you are not seeking action or do not want to name the Respondent.
- You want the University to pursue disciplinary action against the Respondent.
- You want a No Contact Directive to be put in place between you and the Respondent.
- Reporting an incident informs the University of the incident, which allows the institution to provide support, resources, and accommodations to all the parties impacted by the incident and does not necessarily result in the initiation of a grievance process.
What happens next?
If you choose to file a Formal Complaint (a request that the University initiate an investigation and possible disciplinary action), the Title IX Office will reach out to both parties to discuss next steps and provide information on specific resources and accommodations related to the Formal Complaint. The Title IX Office will then initiate the appropriate Grievance Process.
Confidentiality
All reports are treated with the greatest degree of confidentiality possible. Confidentiality is maintained on a need-to-know basis with respect to the University’s obligations to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and take the appropriate corrective action.
Members of the University community will not be informed of the outcome of a Title IX investigation to which they are not a party.
Consensual Relationships Policy
The University’s Consensual Relationships Policy prohibits consensual relationships between:
- employees (including faculty) or affiliates and any graduate student whom that individual teaches, manages, supervises, advises, or evaluates in any way; and
- student employees and any student whom that student employee teaches, manages, supervises, advises, or evaluates in any way.
Accommodations for Pregnancy, Nursing, and Parenting
Title IX also prohibits discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and parenting status. The University and Law School provide reasonable accommodations due to pregnancy and parenting needs. If you are seeking pregnancy and parenting-related accommodations, make an appointment with Assistant Dean Elizabeth Bangs. You may also contact the University’s Title IX Office.
JON 5.226 and 6.226 and TNH 3.107 are lactation rooms available for student use. (The JON rooms are available only during regular business hours.) Please contact the Student Affairs Office or the Human Resources Office for the door codes.