Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. To ensure compliance with Title IX and other federal and state laws, Quinnipiac University has developed policies that prohibit discrimination and misconduct on the basis of gender, such as sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking and any other gender-based harassment or misconduct.
Please note: The Title IX policy was revised on August 1, 2024.
For all reports or complaints of sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, or sexual discrimination that occured:
Before August 1, 2024: Please refer to the Title IX policy on the university's catalog website
On or after August 1, 2024: Please refer to the updated 2024 Title IX policy (PDF)
Sexual Harassment: conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
Sexual Assault: An offense classified as forcible or nonforcible sex offense under the uniform crime reporting system of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent. Sexual assault includes forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, forcible fondling, incest and statutory rape.
Dating Violence: Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
Domestic Violence: Includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.
Stalking: Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.
Consent is an active, knowing and voluntary exchange of affirmative words and/or actions, which indicate a willingness to participate in a particular sexual activity. Consent must be freely and actively given. It is the responsibility of the initiator to obtain clear and affirmative responses at each stage of sexual involvement. The lack of a negative response is not consent. A person who is incapacitated by alcohol and/or drugs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily consumed, may not give consent. Neither consent to one form of sexual activity nor past relationships imply consent to future sexual activity.
Incapacitation is a state where a person lacks the capacity to understand or appreciate the fact, nature or extent of a sexual encounter.
Sexual activity with a person who is demonstrably mentally or physically incapacitated (i.e., by alcohol or other drug use, unconsciousness or blackout) constitutes a violation of this policy.
A person whose incapacity results from mental disability, sleep, involuntary physical restraint, or from the consumption (voluntary or otherwise) of incapacitating drugs cannot give consent.
To give consent, a person must be of the legal age of consent. Under most circumstances, the age of consent in the state of Connecticut is sixteen. See Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-120, § 46b-127, § 46b-133d, § 53a-70, § 53a-71, and § 54-76b.
Alcohol-related incapacity results from a level of alcohol ingestion that is more severe than impairment, being under the influence, drunkenness or intoxication.
Evidence of incapacity may be detected by physical cues, e.g., slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, the odor of alcohol on a person’s breath or clothing, inability to maintain balance, vomiting, unusual or irrational behavior and unconsciousness. Context is important in helping to determine incapacitation. Any of these particular cues alone do not necessarily indicate incapacity.
Force is the use of physical violence and/or imposing on someone physically to gain sexual access. Force also includes threats, intimidation and coercion that overcomes resistance or produces consent.
Coercion is unreasonable pressure for sexual activity. Coercion is the use of emotional manipulation to persuade someone to do something they may not want to do, such as being sexual or performing certain sexual acts. Being coerced into having sex or performing sexual acts is not consenting sex and is considered sexual misconduct.
All parties in a Title IX process have a right to supportive measures. Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge to complainant or respondent before or after the filing of a formal complaint or where no formal complaint has been filed. Such measures are designed to restore or preserve equal access to the university’s education program or activity without unreasonably burdening the other party, including measures designed to protect the safety of all parties or the university’s educational environment, or deter sexual harassment. Supportive measures may include counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, modifications of work or class schedules, campus escort services, mutual restrictions on contact between the parties, changes in work or housing locations, leaves of absence, increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus, and other similar measures.
Title IX inquiries may be referred to Patricio Jimenez, Title IX Coordinator, directly at patricio.jimenez@qu.edu or at 203-582-7757.
Parties may submit reports of discrimination and misconduct on the basis of gender, including sexual misconduct, through the online reporting form.
The university will make every effort to maintain the privacy of those involved in Title IX complaints and related processes. Only people who have a legitimate need to know about the matter will be informed, and materials and information prepared or acquired under Title IX procedures will be shared only as required and/or necessary with investigators, witnesses and other relevant parties.
Disclosure of such information also may be made if the university’s Title IX coordinator determines that such disclosure is necessary to protect the health, safety or well-being of the community. While the university’s Title IX coordinator will take into account any requests made by a party for confidentiality or that a Title IX matter not be investigated, the university’s Title IX coordinator will take appropriate steps to respond to the matter consistent with requirements of Title IX and the university’s obligation to the greater Quinnipiac community.
The university does not require, allow, rely upon, or otherwise use questions or evidence that constitute information protected under a legally recognized privilege, unless the person holding such privilege has waived the privilege.
Counseling Services: 203-407-4020, option #1
Student Health Services: 203-407-4050
Office of Religious Life: 203-582-8257
Peter C. Hereld House for Jewish Life: 203-582-8206 or 203-623-0626 (after hours)
Complainants in Title IX processes have the right to an investigation and appropriate resolution of all credible complaints of sexual misconduct, gender-based discrimination and/or harassment made in good faith to the university. Respondents have the right to be presumed “not responsible” throughout the Title IX process.
Below you will find forms, resources and policies that have been established to ensure a safe environment for all members of the Quinnipiac community.