It’s time to say eNOugh.

College Students’ Rights

In accordance with federal guidance, all colleges and universities, both public and private, that receive federal funds are required to:

  • Provide prevention education programs to all incoming students and new employees, along with ongoing primary prevention and awareness programs for current students and employees.
  • Address victims’/survivors’ rights and resources for assistance. The response to victims/survivors needs to be timely, appropriate, sensitive, and respectful.
  • Specify their institution’s conduct proceedings, including investigation and adjudication protocols.
  • Develop clear and comprehensive policies related to IPV, sexual violence and stalking.
  • Adequately address victims’/survivors’ privacy concerns and clearly outline the school’s reporting policies.

If you want to learn more about your rights as a student, or if you believe that a school district, college, or university is violating Federal law, you may contact the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, at (800) 421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov. If you wish to fill out a complaint form online, you may do so here.

What is Title IX?

Title IX is part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 that protects students against sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. Title IX compliance falls under the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education, the agency that enforces compliance with this amendment. The OCR evaluates, investigates, and acts upon complaints filed on sex discrimination in colleges and other educational facilities.

Know Your IX

Know Your IX is a survivor- and youth-led project of Advocates for Youth that aims to empower students to end sexual and dating violence in their schools. Know Your IX provides supportive resources, graphics, and updated information about federal Title IX guidance. For more information around Title IX, please feel free to check out their website. 

Resources on Students’ Rights

ModelCampus: Title IX Action Guide (NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2017)

NCCADV created this guide to assist campuses in preventing and addressing intimate partner violence on campuses in a trauma-informed and federally compliant manner. This guide covers the following IPV-related topics:

  • Prevention and education
  • Support services
  • Reporting and privacy concerns
  • Investigation and adjudication
  • Policy development

Guidance and Model Policy Documents (NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2015)

NCCADV has created guidance to help colleges as they develop policies and programs for:

  • domestic/intimate partner violence
  • stalking
  • sexual violence

If you are interested in further information on how NCCADV can assist campuses in preventing and responding to intimate partner violence, contact Taylour Jonson, Campus Services Specialist.