OSU Title IX Program Statement

The Ohio State University is dedicated to providing a learning, living, and working environment that is free from sexual assault and sex discrimination. We are committed to ensuring a safe campus climate for all of our students and the entire University community. Through a comprehensive compliance program, we promote fundamental rights, advance individual and institutional integrity, and uphold the vital aims of Title IX. Title IX is now a part of the OSU Office of Civil Rights Compliance. Ohio State does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education program or activity, which includes employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a manner.

Current information is available through the OSU Title IX website, which is under the auspices of the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, which serves as a streamlined point of contact for students, faculty and staff who need any type of Title IX assistance. The Office of Civil Rights Compliance:

  • Responds to all incidents of sex- and gender-based harassment and discrimination, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence, and pregnancy
    discrimination
  • Provides support resources, investigation options, and interim measures
  • Oversees prevention education and training around sexual misconduct for the university
    community.

Members of the university community, vendors, and visitors have the right to be free from all forms of sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct is conduct of a sexual nature that is nonconsensual, or has the effect of threatening, intimidating, or coercing a person. Sexual misconduct includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, and relationship violence. Sexual misconduct impedes the realization of the university’s mission of distinction in education, scholarship, and service. All members of the university community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others and maintain an environment free from sexual misconduct.

Sexual misconduct violates the dignity of individuals and will not be tolerated. The university community seeks to eliminate sexual misconduct through education and by encouraging everyone to report concerns or complaints, including third parties when the accused is a member of the university community. The university is committed to stopping sexual misconduct, preventing its recurrence, eliminating any hostile environment, and remedying its discriminatory effects. This policy defines expectations for the university community and establishes mechanisms for determining when those expectations have been violated.

Sexual misconduct is conduct of a sexual nature or conduct based on sex or gender that is nonconsensual or has the effect of threatening, intimidating, or coercing a person. This includes sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking. Sexual misconduct is a form of sex- and gender-based discrimination. Additional definitions including those for sexual harassment, sexual and relationship violence, stalking and consent are given in Policy 1.15.

The University Student Code of Conduct states that 'Sexual misconduct in any form is never acceptable.' Students are responsible to know and adhere to the sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and relationship violence policy.

View the full Code of Student Conduct.

Reporting and Complain Procedures

View the Reporting and Resources Brochure.

A report can be made by any individual who is directly involved in, who observes, or who reasonably believes that sexual misconduct may have occurred. This includes allegations by third parties against any individual covered by this policy. Members of the university community have a duty to report such information. All Title IX complaints are ultimately reported up to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Civil Rights Compliance and that office will conduct an investigation.

  • Online – reporting form at titleIX.osu.edu or civilrights@osu.edu
  • Call – 614-247-5838
  • Email – titleIX@osu.edu or civilrights@osu.edu
  • Mail – Office of Civil Rights Compliance, St. John Arena, 410 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210
  • OSU COM medical students may report incidents of sexual misconduct to Dr. Alex Grieco, Dr. Jennifer McCallister or the dean on call (614-685-3059) who will provide immediate support and help the student to make connections with the TitleIX office, resources and investigative bodies. Students may also confidentially discuss issues of sexual misconduct with the COM personal counselor, Lora Eberhard (614-292-3340).
  • Criminal Report: Students who are survivors of sexual assault, stalking, domestic or dating violence are strongly encouraged to report the incident(s) to law enforcement in the jurisdiction in which the incident(s) occurred.
  • In an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
  • Non-emergency contact information for other local police agencies include:
    • Columbus Police Division: 614-545-4545
    • Clinton Township Police: 614-471-1479
    • Upper Arlington Police: 614-583-5150
    • Grandview Heights Police: 614-488-7901
  • To report an assault or other crime to the University Police Division (non-emergency), please call 614-292-2121. Survivors are advised that reporting an assault to the University Police or other law enforcement or campus security authorities does not require filing criminal charges, but provides the opportunity for collection of evidence helpful in prosecution and helps facilitate all support systems to be put in place for the survivor.
  • Complaints or reports against faculty or staff members may also be reported to the The OSU Department of Human Resources, 1590 N. High St., Suite 300, 614-292-1050.
  • Filing a report with the university does not preclude the individual from filing a report with external law enforcement or any other agency nor does it extend time limits with those agencies. Individuals may request assistance from the Title IX coordinator or deputy coordinator to notify such authorities.

All university employees, except those exempted by legal privilege of confidentiality or expressly identified as a confidential reporter, have an obligation to report incidents of sexual assault. Any employee, who becomes aware of information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that sexual assault may have occurred involving anyone covered under this policy, must report such information immediately.

Sexual harassment

Romantic and/or sexual relationships

Resources