Title IX at DU

The Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX at DU, in collaboration with University partners, works to build and maintain a safe, gender-equitable environment for students, faculty and staff in all aspects of educational programming and employment. The Office is responsible for ensuring compliance with the University’s anti-discrimination policies related to sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. In order to carry out these responsibilities, the Office:

  • Receives and reviews all reports of gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence on campus;
  • Keeps records of all reports to evaluate campus needs and to identify patterns that need to be addressed;
  • Coordinates outreach to all identified impacted students, faculty and staff to provide:
    • Resources for emotional support and system advocacy;
    • An overview of options for addressing the discrimination, harassment or violence both on campus and off;
    • Assistance with Supportive Measures to assist impacted parties when needed;
    • Informal Resolution options for non-violent policy violations;
    • Investigations of violations of University Policy related to gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence;
    • Consultation, training and education for the campus community;
    • Coordination of campus partner efforts to address gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence and to engage in prevention and education efforts.
    • Assistance with campus climate survey efforts.
campus in fall

Title IX at DU

Latest Efforts

In 2015 DU announced comprehensive changes designed to enhance our community’s ability to prevent and respond to gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence including sexual violence, relationship (dating and domestic) violence and stalking:

  • Hiring a full-time designated Title IX Coordinator to administer and coordinate University efforts and two civil rights investigators to investigate Title IX concerns and Equal Opportunity concerns;
  • Revising Procedures for investigations to address concerns raised by the University Community;
  • Providing care and support to the survivors of sexual assault and other forms of power-based violence through the Center for Advocacy, Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE) and CAPE’s How to Support a Survivor training;
  • Implementing primary prevention strategies and education including Haven training for incoming undergraduates; a Peer Education program and the B.O.S.S. bystander training.
  • Requiring Mandatory Reporter training for Faculty and Staff; and
  • Conducting biennial campus climate surveys

Recommendations are received from DU’s Title IX Team and from advisors from the Pepper Hamilton Law Firm, and should be viewed as forward-looking. We are implementing emerging best practices and standards in the areas of preventing and responding to sexual assault. These new programs will serve as a model for other colleges and universities.

January 2016 Update: See the Letter from the Chancellor and the Title IX Coordinator and the Audit Report Addendum for a comprehensive list of the most recent changes to the University's Title IX response.

  • History of Title IX at DU

    DU initiated its initial training efforts related to Title IX in 2011, when the first guidance related to addressing sexual violence was issued by the US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. The first Title IX Coordinator, Kathryne Grove, who was also the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, was named.

    DU’s Title IX team was created in 2012, and increased the University’s efforts to strengthen its sexual assault policies, procedures, practices, and training efforts. The Title IX team consists of a variety of University of Denver community members including representatives from Campus Safety, CAPE, HCC, Student Conduct, Graduate Studies, SOS Referral and Academic Services.

    DU’s administration requested an audit of Title IX policies and practices from the national consulting firm, Pepper Hamilton in 2014, in an effort to proactively address the changing guidance on Title IX and the needs expressed by campus partner programs, students, faculty and staff.

    In 2014 re-wrote its Policies and Procedures that address gender discrimination, harassment and violence and started the implementation of initial recommendations from Pepper Hamilton.

drone view of campus

Campus Perceptions of Unwanted Sexual Experiences

This survey studies students' perceptions of sexual harassment and rape culture and how students react to situations where people are being harassed or harmed.

Learn More
campus in spring

Accessibility at DU

This website provides resources and essential knowledge to assist in accommodations requests report accessibility issues in an effort to establish campus-wide accessibility for all.

Learn More
Campus scenics

EOIX News & Events

Read up on the latest news, updates and events impacting the DU campus.

Learn More

Contact