Sexual misconduct is an umbrella term that includes sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, intimate partner violence/dating violence, and/or stalking.

Discrimination is defined as conduct that is directed at an individual because of their protected class and subjects the individual to different treatment so as to interfere with or limit the ability of the individual to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the university or otherwise adversely affects the individual's employment or education. The law prohibits discrimination against members of protected classes in public workplaces and educational institutions. That means employers and schools may not discriminate against people because of their race, color, sex, religious creed, marital status, national origin, ancestry, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disability, learning disability, physical disability, age, genetic information, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation.

Discriminatory harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an individual because of their protected class and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive so as to have the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment.

Discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct are all prohibited at CT State. However, there are two different procedures to address reports. First, the Title IX Grievance Procedure is the process that CT State will follow when there is a report that meets specific criteria under federal Title IX civil rights law: the alleged conduct occurred on or after August 14, 2020, in the United States, in a CT State educational program or activity and that the alleged behavior meets the definition of sexual harassment in the Title IX Grievance Procedure.

The Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Complaint Procedure is the process that CT State will follow when there are reports of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct that do not meet the narrow definition and criteria of the Title IX Grievance Procedure. All definitions can be found within the procedure.

A primary difference between these procedures, outside of the criteria above, is that the Title IX Grievance Procedure requires a live hearing with a cross-examination as part of the process. This is not required in the Sexual Misconduct Complaint Procedure but may be used, if appropriate, in cases where the respondent is a student.

It is not your responsibility to determine which procedure CT State officials will use to process your complaint. Administrators at the CT State Office of Equity and Civil Rights will make that determination once they receive a report and provide information on the procedure that they will follow.

There are a few different ways to make a report. An official from the CT State's Office of Equity and Civil Rights will then contact you for further information and to discuss the next steps in the process. Alternatively, you can report directly to the CT State Title IX Coordinator, any campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator and any official in the CT State Department of Equity and Civil Rights.

Yes, there are a few different options for you. First, you may contact the Deputy Title IX Coordinator on your home campus. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator can answer any questions about the reporting process, the complaint procedure, and possible supportive measures or accommodations that might be helpful for you. However, please note that they are not confidential.You may also contact one of the confidential mental health counselors on your home campus or an off-campus confidential resource by contacting the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Service.

CT State officials will work to support your ability to pursue your education in a safe and equitable environment. At any point in the complaint process, interim measures can be used to address the needs of any involved party (i.e., a change in your class schedule, course-related extensions, no-contact orders and/or increased security on campus). Interim measures are unique to each individual circumstance. CT State officials will work with you to determine any necessary interim measures.

Absolutely. You do not have to make a formal report of discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct to receive support services and/or accommodations. Also, you may contact the Deputy Title IX Coordinator on your home campus for additional accommodations. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator is not a confidential resource but can put in place academic and other relevant regardless of whether you make a report.

Not without your explicit, written permission. Due to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), CT State cannot release any information connected to your educational record, outside of directory information, to anyone. However, if you would like to have your parent/guardian speak directly with the investigator or another CT State official without you present, you can sign a release. The CT State official or the investigator can provide the release at your request.

It varies, depending on the circumstances of the investigation. However, we strive to complete the process within 90 school calendar days when practicable.

Sexual misconduct is an umbrella term that includes sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, intimate partner violence / dating violence, and/or stalking.

Discrimination is defined as conduct that is directed at an individual because of their protected class and subjects the individual to different treatment so as to interfere with or limit the ability of the individual to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the university or otherwise adversely affects the individual's employment or education. The law prohibits discrimination against members of protected classes in public workplaces and educational institutions. That means employers and schools may not discriminate against people because of their race, color, sex, religious creed, marital status, national origin, ancestry, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disability, learning disability, physical disability, age, genetic information, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation.

Discriminatory harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an individual because of their protected class, and is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive so as to have the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.

Discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct are all prohibited at CT State. However, there are two different procedures to address reports. First, the Title IX Grievance Procedure is the process that CT State will follow when there is a report that meets specific criteria under federal Title IX civil rights law: the alleged conduct occurred on or after August 14, 2020, in the United States, in a CT State educational program or activity and that the alleged behavior meets the definition of sexual harassment in the Title IX Grievance Procedure.

The Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Complaint Procedure is the process that CT State will follow when there are reports of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct that do not meet the narrow definition and criteria of the Title IX Grievance Procedure. All definitions can be found within the procedure).

A primary difference between these procedures, outside of the criteria, is that the Title IX Grievance Procedure requires a live hearing with a cross-examination as part of the process. This is not required in the Sexual Misconduct Complaint Procedure but may be used, if appropriate, in cases where the respondent is a student.

It is not your responsibility to determine which procedures State officials will use to process your complaint. Administrators at the CT State Office of Equity and Civil Rights will make that determination once they receive a report and provide information on the procedure that they will follow.

There are a few different ways to make a report. You can make a report through our online form and an intake coordinator from the Department of Equity and Civil Rights will then contact you for further information and to discuss the next steps in the process. Alternatively, you can report directly to the CT State Title IX coordinator and any official in the CT State Department of Equity and Civil Rights.

Yes. You may contact the Office of Equity and Civil Rights to receive more information and ask questions about the complaint process. However, please note that employees in the Office of Equity and Civil Rights are not confidential resources. If you share information with them about an experience of discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct at CT State and they believe there may be a threat to the health and safety of the CT State community and/or another individual, they will have to notify relevant departments and may have to open an investigation.

Absolutely. You do not have to make a formal report of discrimination, harassment and/or sexual misconduct to receive support services and/or accommodations.

The Office of Equity and Civil Rights will work to support your ability to work in a safe and equitable environment. At any point in the complaint process, interim measures can be used to address the needs of any involved party (i.e., a change in your work schedule or location, leaves of absence and/or increased security on campus). Interim measures are unique to each individual circumstance. Staff in the Office of Equity and Civil Rights will work with you to determine any necessary interim measures.

Absolutely. Your union representatives have an understanding of the process and can support you throughout. They may accompany you to any meetings throughout the process.

It varies, depending on the circumstances of the investigation. However, we strive to complete the process within 90 school calendar days when practicable.