Title IX

Title IX Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sex in Education Programs or Activities

The Cleveland Institute of Art is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Title IX of the Education Act Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities operated by recipients of Federal financial assistance. This includes sexual harassment, discrimination based on pregnancy, parental status, sex stereotypes, and gender identity or transgender status. CIA does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its educational programs or in any other activities sponsored by the College. This non-discrimination policy extends to all visitors; applicants for admission to the College; all students who are full- or part-time, matriculated for a degree or not; and all employees.

Title IX Sexual Harassment

Title IX Sexual Harassment is a form of sex discrimination, including sexual violence and sexual assault, and is therefore a violation of Title IX policy. Specific behaviors that are prohibited by Title IX policy include rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual exploitation, non-consensual sexual contact, and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity; stalking; and relationship violence that is gender-based. Many behaviors that meet the definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment also constitute crimes.

Any of the following conduct on the basis of sex constitutes Title IX Sexual Harassment:

An employee of the College explicitly or implicitly conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the College on an individual's participation in unwelcome sexual contact (defined a "quid pro quo" harassment);
Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity; or
Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking (as those offenses are defined in the Clery Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f), and the Violence Against Women Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)).

Protections for Pregnant + Parenting Students

Title IX policy also prohibits discrimination against pregnant and parenting students. Under Title IX, it is illegal for schools to exclude a pregnant student from participating in any part of an educational program. In addition, a school must excuse a student’s absences because of pregnancy or childbirth for as long as the student’s doctor deems the absences medically necessary. When a student returns to school, they must be allowed to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before their medical leave began. Any special services provided to students who have temporary medical conditions must also be provided to a pregnant student. A school may require a pregnant student or student who has given birth to submit medical certification for school participation only if the school also requires such certification from all students with physical or emotional conditions requiring the attention of a physician.

Discrimination Involving Sex Stereotypes, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, or Transgender Status

Discrimination on the basis of sex also includes: (1) discrimination based on sexual orientation; and (2) discrimination based on gender identity. It is impossible to discriminate against a person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity without also discriminating against that person based on sex. For example, prohibiting a transgender person from dressing or presenting consistent with that person’s gender identity would constitute sex discrimination.

REPORTING SEX-BASED DISCRIMINATION

CIA has designated all of its employees (with the exception of any designated confidential resources, such as mental health counselors and medical professionals) as mandatory reporters of sexual misconduct and discrimination within the CIA campus community. Mandatory reporters are required to contact the Title IX Coordinator and report instances of sexual misconduct and discrimination in a timely manner. Any mandatory reporter who is consulted about, observes, and/or witnesses behavior involving a potential violation of Title IX policy has the responsibility to report it to the Title IX Coordinator. In addition, to the extent possible, members of the CIA community should also encourage those directly involved to promptly make a report to the College’s Title IX Coordinator.

Click the button above to submit a report to the Title IX Coordinator.

Reports can be submitted anonymously.

Title IX Coordinator

Amanda Fronek, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Dean of Students, + Title IX Coordinator
Phone: 216.421.7427
Email: titleix@cia.edu

Deputy Title IX Coordinators

Lauren Conway
Executive Director, Center for Career + Workforce Development + Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Phone: 216.421.8073
Email: lnconway@cia.edu

Lisa Schumann
Associate Director of Human Resources + Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Phone: 216.421.7405
Email: lschumann@cia.edu

You may also file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) using OCR’s electronic complaint form at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html.

CIA + COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Cleveland Police Department: 911 | Available 24/7
University Circle Police Department: 216-791-1234 | Available 24/7
CWRU Police Department: 216-368-3333 | Available 24/7
CIA Safety + Security: 216-421-7330
Cleveland Heights Police Department: 216-321-1234 | Available 24/7
East Cleveland Police Department: 216-451-1234 | Available 24/7

Confidential Advisors can take a report of sexual violence but are not required to file a report to anyone else. Confidential advisors provide support and advice to anyone reporting sexual violence. Campus and community resources with confidential advisors available have been noted below.

University Hospitals
- 11100 Euclid Avenue | 216-844-3722
- Emergency Department entrance is located between Cornell and Adelbert Roads.
- Confidential Advisors and SANE nurses (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) available here.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC)
- Main Phone (Call): 216-619-6194 or 440-354-7364
- Crisis + Support Hotline (Call or Text): 216-619-6192 or 440-423-2020
- On campus at CWRU Flora Stone Mather Center on Mondays.
- https://clevelandrapecrisis.org/services/for-college-students/
- Confidential Advisors available here.
CWRU University Health Services
- 2124 Cornell Road, Dental Research Building | 216-368-2450
- https://case.edu/studentlife/healthcounseling/health-services
- Confidential Advisors available here.
CWRU University Counseling Service
- 2124 Cornell Road, Dental Research Building | 216-368-2450
- https://case.edu/studentlife/healthcounseling/counseling-services
- Confidential Advisors available here.
CWRU Flora Stone Mather Center for Women (and Men)
- 11038 Bellflower Road (Tinkham Veale University Center), Suite 248 | 216-368-0985
- https://case.edu/centerforwomen/ or email cwruadvocate@case.edu
- Confidential Advisors available here via CRCC walk-in hours on Mondays.
CWRU LGBTQ Center
- 11038 Bellflower Road (Tinkham Veale University Center), Suite 179 | 216-368-LGBT
- https://case.edu/lgbt/
The Centers Ohio: Behavioral Health Urgent Care Uptown
- 12201 Euclid Avenue | 216-721-4010 extension 5
- https://thecentersohio.org/
- Confidential Advisors available here.
Journey Center for Safety and Healing
- 2806 Payne Avenue | 24-Hour Helping: 216-391-4357
- https://www.journeyneo.org/
- Confidential Advisors available here.

Title IX

Title IX

Title IX Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sex in Education Programs or Activities

REPORTING SEX-BASED DISCRIMINATION

CIA + COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Handouts

Title IX Policy & Procedures

Grievance Process Flow Chart

Resources

TITLE IX STAFF TRAINING MATERIALS