To the UMB Community:

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) recently withdrew its 2011 and 2014 guidance on campus sexual harassment and sexual violence. In their place, OCR issued interim guidance on sexual misconduct, which will remain in effect during a comment period and formal rule-making process.

The rescinding of OCR's former Title IX guidance in no way alters UMB's commitment to preventing sexual assault and other forms of sex- and gender-based misconduct. The University will maintain its Title IX training and education programs; we will follow our established procedures to ensure that reported incidents of sexual misconduct are resolved promptly and fairly; and we will continue to assist those who come forward.

UMB's core values of civility, diversity, and accountability stand independent of past and present OCR guidance. We are dedicated to ensuring equal access to the University's academic and workplace experiences and to fighting all forms of sex- and gender-based discrimination and violence. This dedication means that we will continue to offer rich and responsive support for all those affected by sexual misconduct on campus and that we will engage OCR as we advocate for measures that protect students, faculty, and staff here at UMB and at universities nationwide.

The University's sexual misconduct policies and procedures, as well as contact information for UMB's Title IX coordinator, can be found on our Title IX page. Complaints can be made directly to the Title IX coordinator or to UMB's anonymous hotline at 866-594-5220. Confidential support for survivors is available through the Student Counseling Center and the Employee Assistance Program.

I thank all those working to make UMB a safe, caring, and inclusive community, and I pledge that the University's leaders and I will continue our work to ensure that Title IX remains an effective tool for promoting fairness in our policies, equity in our programs, and justice for our people.

Sincerely,

Jay A. Perman, MD
President