Statement to the Stockton University Community Regarding the 2024 Title IX Regulations
January 21, 2025
Dear Stockton Community,
Stockton University is committed to providing a safe learning and working environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct for our students, faculty, and staff including vendors, guests, and visitors. I would like to share an important recent development concerning Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal civil rights law.
On January 9, 2025, a federal district court issued an order vacating the 2024 Title IX Final Rule. The order applies nationwide. As a result, the 2024 Title IX regulations that were implemented on August 1, 2024, are no longer in effect, have been invalidated, and cannot be enforced. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has indicated that the 2020 Title IX regulations are in effect.
Members of the University’s Title IX Practitioners Group are reviewing and updating policies and procedures to assure compliance in accordance with Title IX and the University’s mission.
We recognize that this decision reverses some of the expanded protections for LGBTQIA+ students under Title IX, and we anticipate additional guidance from the Office of Civil Rights regarding compliance obligations. In the interim, Stockton University remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting and uplifting all members of our community. Our policies, codes of conduct, and core values remain aligned with the pillars of Stockton’s Ethic of Care—Dignity, Respect, Kindness, Compassion, and Civility, and will continue to guide us in fostering a supportive and inclusive campus environment for all.
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Institutional Compliance (OEOIC) will contact parties involved in pending matters affected by this decision and provide guidance on next steps.
We will continue to monitor these developments closely and we will provide updates, training, and additional resources as needed.
On-Campus Confidential Support Services include the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Center, Counseling Services, and Health Services. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding reporting options, rights, responsibilities, and campus resources.
Sincerely,
Tammy M. Saunders
Director of Title IX and EEO/Title IX Coordinator
Office of Equal Opportunity and Institutional Compliance (OEOIC)
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Dear Stockton Community,
Today, August 1, 2024, is the effective date of the recently issued U.S. Department of Education’s 2024 Title IX Final Rule which applies to complaints of sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment and sexual misconduct that occurs on or after this date. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. We are monitoring ongoing litigation that may subsequently impact the implementation and enforcement of the 2024 Final Rule.
Consistent with Title IX and Stockton University’s mission, sex discrimination in any education program or activity that the University operates, including admission and employment, is prohibited. The University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination and Title IX is located on the University website.
The 2024 Final Rule clarifies that sex discrimination under Title IX includes discrimination on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expands protections to students and employees who are pregnant or parenting. It also provides full protection from all forms of sex-based harassment, including sexual misconduct and unwelcome sex-based conduct that creates a hostile environment by limiting or denying a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from a school’s education program or activity. Training related to the 2024 Final Rule will be made available.
To comply with the 2024 Final Rule, a working group of University partners (faculty and staff) provided recommendations which the University has implemented via interim Procedure 6941 “Prohibiting Sex-Based Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct.” Interim Procedure 6941 can be found here. Incidents may be reported using the forms specified for students and employees within interim Procedure 6941.
The Sexual Misconduct Procedure (6940) available here remains in effect for incidents that occurred on or before July 31, 2024.
Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator.
Tammy Saunders, Director of Title IX and EEO/Title IX Coordinator
Office Location: L-214, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205-9441
Email address: tammy.saunders@stockton.edu or titleix@stockton.edu.
