The Cleveland Institute of Art (the “College”) 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, violence, and discrimination. Sex discrimination, sexual misconduct, sex-based crimes, and sexual harassment violate an individual’s fundamental rights and personal dignity. 

The College has a broad non-discrimination policy that exceeds the requirements under current law. As for gender, the College’s policy provides that the College 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, as required by Title IX of the Education Act of 1972 (and its amendments) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This nondiscrimination policy extends to all applicants for admission to the College, as well as all students who are full- or part-time, matriculated for a degree or not, and visiting students. 

In addition, Title IX assigns further obligations upon colleges and universities like the College to investigate and adjudicate complaints by students of sexual misconduct. This policy applies to all such Title IX sexual misconduct complaints by students, or reports of sexual misconduct involving a student. This policy applies to sexual misconduct involving students whether the misconduct is alleged to have been committed by another student, faculty member, or staff member. This policy does not apply to allegations among or between faculty or staff members. Further, this policy does not apply to allegations by students against a non-student or non-employee of the College.  

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, otherwise known as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment, was passed by Congress in 1974. It grants four specific rights to a post-secondary student who is 18 years of age or older:

• To see the records that the institution is keeping on the student
• To seek amendment to those records and in certain cases append a statement to the record
• To withhold the disclosure of a student’s educational records except for situations involving legitimate educational interest or as may be required by law
• To file a complaint with the FERPA Office in Washington

FERPA applies to all educational agencies or institutions that receive funds under any program administered by the US Secretary of Education.
CIA is included by virtue of the financial aid programs through which our students receive funding to support their education.

FERPA governs what may be released, but does not require that any information be released.