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May 2020 update on final Title IX regulations

As you may have heard, final Title IX regulations have been released by the U.S. Department of Education. These regulations outline how the Department of Education expects schools, including Augustana College, to continue to promote sexual equality, and in particular, how to respond to reports of sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct. 

Over the next several months, we will carefully review the new regulations to determine what changes the regulations require to Augustana's policies and procedures. We will then work with the Board of Trustees, the Cabinet, and the Title IX Team in determining how to best implement any required changes. We will aim to preserve the aspects of our policies and procedures that reflect our work as an institution, including contributions from:

o The Title IX Task Force
o The Title IX Team
o The Sexual Health & Wellness Committee
o The Title IX Student Advisory Group

Members of the groups listed above, along with individual community members and those who have participated in a policy complaint, have provided valuable input in our current campus policies and procedures. Equally important is that we have made progress as a community in promoting awareness of prohibited behaviors as well as promoting awareness of the resources available to people on campus who are  victims of sexual misconduct.    

The new regulations are slated to become effective on August 14, 2020. You will be informed of updates to our policies and procedures, and you will be provided opportunities to learn about the changes.  

Please note that our current policies prohibiting sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct, remain in effect at this time and our focus and our commitment are as strong as ever. If you have any questions about current policies, you may reach out to a Title IX Coordinator for help or information. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to promoting the well-being of our campus community. Please take care and be well.

Sheri Curran
General Counsel