This guidance is entirely on the importance and necessity of a Title IX coordinator.
This is the first expanded guidance on the expectations, responsibilities, training, and authority of a Title IX coordinator.
It reiterates that the position of Title IX Coordinator must be filled at all times, so if a coordinator leaves, another person must be appointed immediately even if it is on an interim basis.
The appointment must be publicized as well, so everyone at the institution is aware of who the Title IX Coordinator is.
This guidance also explains that a Title IX coordinator's responsibilities should be independent from other job related responsibilities that may present a conflict of interest, ideally, the position should be full-time to eliminate these potential conflicts.
It is also recommended that the Title IX coordinator have enough authority to be able to fulfill the duties of the position to the standards of the OCR.
This includes the authority to revise procedures to improve compliance and be able to implement programming or procedures to improve prevention, training, or to promote awareness.
In addition to these recommendations, the guidance once again covers the required visibility of a Title IX coordinator and the need for them to be properly qualified, trained, and knowledgeable to be able to carry out the required duties of the position.
Attached to this guidance release, the OCR also sent a letter specifically to Title IX coordinators (the link to the full document below), as well as a resource guide that explains all the protections of Title IX with a small section on sexual harassment based on previous guidance releases on the topic.
Lhamon, C. E. (2015, April 24). Notice of language assistance Dear colleague letter on Title IX coordinators [Letter]. Washington D.C. Lhamon, C. E. (2015, April 24). Notice of language assistance letter to Title IX coordinators [Letter to Title IX Coordinators]. Washington D.C.