Announcements

Changes regarding Title IX and Sexual Misconduct policies

Sent on behalf of the Old Dominion University Department of Human Resources

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to inform you of important changes regarding Title IX and Sexual Misconduct policies that went into effect on July 1.

Implementation of ODU 1008 Policy on Title IX and Sexual Misconduct

As an Old Dominion University employee, you are now subject to the Old Dominion University (ODU) 1008 Policy on Title IX and Sexual Misconduct. This policy is designed to ensure a safe and equitable educational environment for all students and employees. You can review the full ODU 1008 Policy on Title IX and Sexual Misconduct at the following link: ODU 1008 Policy.

Training Overview

To support your understanding and compliance with this policy, we are sharing materials that provide an overview of the required training. We strongly encourage all employees to review these materials to familiarize themselves with their responsibilities and the resources available.

Expansion of Mandated Reporters

The adoption of the ODU 1008 policy includes an expansion of the definition of “Responsible Employee.” Under this policy, a Responsible Employee is defined as any employee who:

• Has the authority to take action to redress incidents in violation of this policy (including sexual harassment, sexual violence, dating and domestic violence, and stalking).
• Has been given the duty of reporting such incidents or any other misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator or designee.
• Is perceived by an employee or student as having this authority or duty.

This includes all teaching and research faculty, graduate teaching assistants, graduate research assistants, residential assistants, law enforcement, and campus security authorities. Additionally, all employees in supervisory roles are considered Responsible Employees. This expansion ensures that our community is proactive in addressing and preventing incidents of misconduct.

Upcoming Rollout of New Policy Based on U.S. Department of Education Regulations

In addition to the Day One changes, please be aware that there may an upcoming rollout of a new policy reflecting recent Title IX regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education. On June 17, 2024, a federal court granted an injunction for a Title IX lawsuit filed by multiple states, including Virginia, against the Department of Education and the Office for Civil Rights. This injunction places a pause on the new Title IX Regulations released on April 19, 2024. The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity will use the current policy until further notice. Further details and guidance on these new regulations will be communicated in the coming months.

We appreciate your attention to these significant updates and your commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Title IX Coordinator Kate Couch at titleixcoordinator@odu.edu. 

This is an official integration notification.
For questions, please contact the appropriate business office or the 
Integration Office at imo@odu.edu. 
Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA 23529