Title IX Program

The Title IX Office at Tuskegee University utilizes a third-party email software called Maxient. It is a secure, web-based application that manages communication from our office, including meeting requests and follow-ups involving conduct and non-conduct issues.

Students receiving an email from Maxient will see a link to the correspondence sent from Tuskegee University.

Within the email’s text, students will be given a link to a log-in screen, by which they can access the correspondence letter or notice our office has sent.

Maxient also allows Tuskegee University to send text messages to students if their cell phone number is on file. This means that our office can send individual texts to students with a link to the communication sent via Maxient.

If you receive an email or text from Maxient, this is a legitimate email from the university, and not part of a phishing scam. Questions? Email TIX@tuskegee.edu

The Title IX Office coordinates the University’s compliance with Title IX and University policies related to sexual misconduct. The Title IX Office oversees the University’s centralized responses to ensure compliance with Title IX and the 2013 Amendments to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA as amended). Responsibilities also include receipt and review of reports and formal complaints, investigating or overseeing the investigation of complaints of alleged sex discrimination or harassment; ensuring that consistent standards and practices apply to all investigations; being available to meet with students and employees who believe a violation of this policy has occurred; and assisting campus security or law enforcement as needed. For further information concerning Title IX, students and employees may contact the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights at (800) 421-3481 or ocr@ed.gov.

Reporting a violation. Any person may report a violation (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim) by using the contact information listed for the Title IX Office. Such a report may be made in person during business hours or at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the listed telephone number, email address, or by mail to the office address. Third-party (including “bystander”) reporting and anonymous reporting (by the person alleged to be the victim or by a third party) triggers response obligations.¹²

What to expect. Upon receipt of a report, the Title IX Office will meet with the reporter, provide a copy of the Title IX policy, and explain:

1. The importance of seeking immediate medical attention for sexual assaults;
2. The importance of preserving evidence;
3. The process of filing a formal complaint;
4. The availability of supportive measures even if no formal complaint is filed;
5. The availability of supportive measures for the complainant and respondent before or after the filing of a formal complaint;
6. The obligation to keep supportive measures confidential unless confidentiality impairs TU’s ability to provide them;
7. The right to report a crime to campus or local law enforcement;
8. The right to not report a crime to law enforcement or file criminal charges;
9. The right to simultaneously file both a criminal complaint with campus security or local law enforcement and a formal institutional Title IX complaint;
10. The right to assistance from TU officials with filing a criminal complaint if assistance is requested;
11. If a formal complaint is filed, initial review by the Title IX Office or a designee to determine whether, if true, the allegations would constitute a violation of Title IX;
12. Options for informal and formal resolution if a complaint proceeds beyond the initial review process;
13. Available health care, victim advocacy, mental health, and legal assistance resources and counseling services available both on and off campus, including the campus health center, other campus resources and sexual assault resource centers, and non-campus resources, including health and crisis assistance;
14. Even if a complainant asks TU not to take any action, the University may be obligated to investigate the complaint; and
15. Prohibitions against retaliation.

Complaints by the Title IX Office. The Title IX Office is officially authorized to initiate a formal complaint. The Title IX Office may, under some circumstances, initiate a formal complaint whether or not the person alleged to be a victim wishes to participate. Such a conclusion can only be reached by the specially trained Title IX Office, and only when specific circumstances justify that action. The Title IX Office will only initiate a formal complaint against a person's wishes if doing so is not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances. The reasons for the decision must be documented.

Temporary removal on an emergency basis. TU is authorized to remove a person from its education programs or activities on an emergency basis, with or without a pending grievance process. In this event, the person must be given post-removal notice and an opportunity to challenge the removal.

Confidentiality. TU will make reasonable efforts to preserve the privacy of all involved parties and will only disclose information regarding reports or complaints under this policy on a need-to-know basis, primarily to persons who are responsible for investigation, evaluation, and reporting requirements. TU cannot require the parties to maintain confidentiality.

About Title IX Training

Title IX training is available to all students and employess. (Click on the icon below to view Training Video). 

Any individual serving as Title IX Office, investigator, or decision-maker, and persons designated by TU to facilitate the formal resolution process must not have a conflict of interest or bias for or against complainants or respondents generally or an individual complainant or respondent. Title IX Office, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates a formal resolution process must receive training on the following:

1. The definition of sexual harassment in §106.30;
2. The scope of the University's education programs and activities;
3. How to conduct an investigation and grievance process, including hearings, appeals, and informal resolution processes;
4. The presumption that the respondent is not responsible for the alleged conduct; and
5. How to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, conflicts of interest, and bias.
   Decision-makers must also receive training on:
6. Any technology to be used at a live hearing; and
7. issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the complainant's sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant.

All training provided by the Title IX Office must be gender neutral and free of any sex bias or sex stereotyping.  Any materials used to train Title IX Office, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates a formal resolution process must not rely on sex stereotypes and must promote impartial investigations and adjudications of formal complaints of sexual harassment.

Other Training Sources

Advisor Training   Alternative Resolutions   Fair Investigations   Hearings Day 1   Hearings Day 2

The following questions are designed to supplement and clarify information made available through the powerpoint and video on this website.

What offenses are prohibited under Title IX ?

ANSWER: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (and gender) in any federally funded education program or activity. This includes:

• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Harassment
• Dating and Domestic Violence
• Gender-Based Discrimination
• Stalking

When is the University required to respond to an allegation of a Title IX violation?

ANSWER: Effective August 14, 2020, a university must respond when:

1.  the university has actual knowledge of sexual harassment; (Notice to the Title IX Coordinator or to any official who has authority to institute corrective measures.);  
2.  that occurred within the university’s education program or activity;
3.  against a person in the United States.

Would Tuskegee University investigate a complaint if the alleged misconduct occurred off campus?

ANSWER: Title IX applies to all students, employees, and volunteers and conduct occurring in locations, events, or circumstances which Tuskegee University (‘TU”)  exercises substantial control over both (1) the respondent, and (2) the context in which the sexual harassment occurs, including on school grounds, any building owned or controlled by a student organization officially recognized by TU; and through technology resources provided by or used at TU or impacting a student or employee at a location owned, leased or controlled by TU or a recognized student organization.

How may an employee or student report a possible violation of Title IX?

ANSWER: Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment in person, by mail, by telephone, or by e-mail, using the contact information listed on the Tuskegee University website (and below) for the Title IX Coordinator, or Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Individuals are encouraged to use our online incident report form located on this website.

Maria Khan
Title IX Coordinator  
Tuskegee University
1200 W. Montgomery Rd.
Tuskegee, AL  36088
Office: 334-727-8422

To schedule an appointment to make an in-person report, contact the Title IX Office at TIX@tuskegee.edu .

Is reporting a possible allegation of a Title IX report the same as filing a complaint?

ANSWER: No.  Reporting is not the same as filing a report. An individual (who is the complainant/victim) who makes a report is not required to file a formal complaint. The university will make indivuals aware of supportive measures. 

Will the initial report of a possible Title IX violation automatically result in a formal investigation?

ANSWER:  Reporting is not the same as filing a report. The initial report may not automatically result in a formal complaint. The Title IX Coordinator must contact the complainant confidentially to discuss the availability of supportive measures with or without the filing of a formal complaint, and explain to the complainant the process for filing a formal complaint.

Will the University wait to investigate a report of a possible Title IX violation if there are criminal charges pending?

ANSWER:  No. The complainant make file criminal charges. Under Title IX, the University will not delay its investigation until pending criminal charges have been resolved. 

What happens during the investigation?

ANSWER: University must provide equal opportunity for the parties to present fact and expert witnesses and evidence. University must send written notice of any investigative interviews, meetings, or hearings. University must send the parties, and their advisors, evidence directly related to the allegations, in electronic format or hard copy, with at least 10 days before hearing for the parties to inspect, review, and respond to the evidence. 

Does Title IX protect individuals from retaliation?

ANSWER: Title IX prohibits retaliation by any person to interfere with any right secured by Title IX. Retaliation prohibited for

• Making a report or complaint
• Participating or refusing to participate
• Filing charges regarding conduct that arises out of the “same facts or circumstances” but does not involve sex discrimination

Do the requirements in the Title IX regulations apply to allegations involving employees and students?

ANSWER: Yes. The Title IX regulations, define “complainant” and “respondent” respectively as “an individual who is alleged to be the victim” and “an individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator.” Any person may be a complainant or respondent, regardless of whether the person is a student, employee, or otherwise affiliated with the university.

If the University is required to provide a party with an advisor, can the provided advisor be an employee of the institution or must such an advisor be independent of the institution?

ANSWER: The Title IX regulations do not preclude the University from providing an advisor who is an employee of the institution to serve as a party’s advisor for purposes of cross-examination, if the party does not have an advisor.

If the respondent does not find a suitable advisor and only wants to be represented by an attorney, does the University have to pay for the party’s attorney?

ANSWER: No. The postsecondary institution is not required to pay for a party’s attorney.

At the live-hearing level, what happens if the complainant or respondent refuse to answer questions?

ANSWER: The Hearing may proceed. Title IX requires universities to hold a live hearing with the opportunity for each party’s advisor to conduct cross-examination of parties and witnesses. Because party and witness statements so often raise credibility questions in the context of sexual harassment allegations, the decision-maker must consider only those statements that have benefited from the truth-seeking function of cross-examination.

Are written statements instead of live testimony permitted?

ANSWER: The prohibition on reliance on “statements” applies not only to statements made during the hearing, but also to any statement of the party or witness who does not submit to cross-examination. “Statements” has its ordinary meaning, but would not include evidence (such as videos) that do not constitute a person’s intent to make factual assertions, or to the extent that such evidence does not contain a person’s statements. Thus, police reports, medical reports, and other documents and records may not be relied on to the extent that they contain the statements of a party or witness who has not submitted to cross-examination.

Are all witnesses expected to appear at a hearing, or do decision-makers have the flexibility to request witnesses as they deem necessary?

ANSWER: Title IX does not require that all witnesses appear at a hearing, although it does provide the parties an equal right to present witnesses. The decision-maker has discretion to permit witnesses to testify at the hearing remotely, using technology.

Are parties allowed to appeal determinations regarding responsibility?

ANSWER:  Either party may appeal a determination regarding responsibility, or from the University’s school’s dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations therein, on based on the following: procedural irregularity, discovered evidence that could affect the outcome of the matter, Title IX personnel had a conflict of interest or bias. Any party may file an appeal within five (5) business days of receipt of the decision. 

What are some supportive resources available to either party involved in a Title IX matter?   

ANSWER: The following on-campus and off-campus supportive resources are available to the Complainant and Respondent.

On-Campus Resources:

Tuskegee University Wellness Center
Services: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: 334-727-8244

Student Health Services
Suite 71-235, John A. Kenney Hall
Phone: 334-727-8642
Fax: 334-724-4437

Chapel (Clergy)
Dean Cecil Duffie, Ph.D.
Phone: 334-727-8702
Email: cduffie@tuskegee.edu 

Tuskegee University Police Department
Location: 1103 W. Montgomery Rd.
Emergency Number: 334-724-4911 (On campus dial 4911)
General Information: 334-727-8757
Confidential Hotline: 334-724-4583

Emergency Medical Service
Phone: 334-724-4911 (On-campus dial 4911)

Dean of Students
Tameka Harper
Tompkins Hall Suite 203
Phone: 334-727-8421

Off-Campus Resources:

New Directions Behavioral Health
Toll Free: 800-624-5544
Website: www.ndbh.com
Login code: Tuskegee University

Crisis Assistance
Phone: 1-800-650-6522
Website: www.acar.org

City of Tuskegee Police
Phone: 334-727-0200

Macon County Sheriff
Phone: 334-727-2500

• Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, Final Rule, 34 C.F.R. Part 106
• Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, 85 Fed. Reg. 30026
• The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, (VAWA), also known as the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE Act)
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended
• The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, as amended