Title IX

What is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.  It was passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972.  Title IX states,

“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.”

20 U.S.C. § 1681 & 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (1972)

Title IX Basic Facts:

  • As a recipient of federal financial assistance, Cerritos College is subject to Title IX requirements.
  • On May 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights released new regulations regarding Title IX that were effective on August 14, 2020.  The District’s 2020 Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Procedure is available on the Title IX Policies webpage.
  • Title IX requires colleges and universities to implement measures in attempts of preventing sex discrimination in campus programs and activities.
  • The new regulations have defined sex harassment to include quid pro quo sexual harassment, hostile environment, sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and retaliation.
  • Title IX requires colleges and universities to promptly respond to reports of sex discrimination.
  • Title IX protection extends to a broad array of college programs, benefits, and services, including, but not limited to, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, admissions/recruitment, pregnancy, athletics, employment, recruiting, hiring, extracurricular activities, funding, and access.
  • Once an “Official with Authority” at a college is aware of a sex discrimination, Title IX requires the college to take “prompt and effective action” to stop the harassment, prevent the recurrence, and remedy the effects of the situation.

To learn more about Title IX at Cerritos College, contact Dr. Lauren Elan Helsper, Title IX Coordinator at TitleIXCoordinator@cerritos.edu.

For more information about Title IX and its requirements, visit the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.