21 2024 ANNUAL SECURITY & ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY REPORT Lehigh University Non-Discrimination Statement and Title IX Notice of Non-Discrimination Non-Discrimination Statement Lehigh University upholds the Principles of Our Equitable Community and adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment and education. The University does not discriminate in its admissions practices, employment practices, or educational programs or activities on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin (including shared ancestry), pregnancy or related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran or military status, except as may be permitted by law. The University also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or harassment or participating in any internal or external investigation or complaint process related to allegations of discrimination or harassment. The University will promptly investigate complaints or incidents of such harassment or discrimination and will take prompt and appropriate measures, including disciplinary action, against individuals found to have engaged in harassment or discrimination. Lehigh University will take action reasonably designed to end a hostile environment if one has been created, prevent its recurrence, and, when appropriate, take steps to remedy its effects. Disciplinary Procedures/Policy Statements Lehigh University has developed fair, prompt and impartial processes, from the initial investigation to the final result, for matters that involve harassment and sexual misconduct (including but not limited to sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and sexual exploitation). When the facts and circumstances indicate that the situation may involve sexual harassment as that term is defined by the federal Title IX regulations finalized in May 2020 (34 C.F.R. 106)3, as incorporated into University policies, (otherwise referred to as “Title IX Sexual Harassment” throughout this section) the process used to resolve these matters typically involves 3 Due to the impact of a July 2024 injunction on the implementation of the 2024 Title IX regulations at the University, Lehigh University continues to incorporate the 2020 Title IX regulations. an investigation by two trained investigators and, absent informal resolution, a live hearing conducted by a panel of three trained faculty and staff members. External consultants also may be hired to serve on these panels and in various other roles in the process. These individuals, and everyone involved in the Title IX Sexual Harassment process, receive annual training on the issues related to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and on how to conduct an investigation and hearing process that protects the safety of the complainant and promotes accountability. If the matter gets to a panel, the panel determines whether the individual violated applicable University policy. The process used to resolve matters involving sexual misconduct or harassment that does not meet the definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment can best be described as a civil rights investigative model. While the investigative process remains the same. While the investigative process remains the same, absent informal resolution, a decision-maker panel of three trained individuals (comprised of a combination of University employees and/ or external consultants) conducts questioning of parties and witnesses via written questions to the investigator(s), who subsequently gathers the answers to these questions and relays them to the panel, which then renders a decision. Processes and Procedures The following is an outline of the process and procedures used by Lehigh University to resolve issues involving harassment and sexual misconduct. The complete information can be found online: Policy on Harassment and Discrimination: https://lehigh.edu/go/harassmentpolicy Student Code of Conduct: https://lehigh.edu/go/codeofconduct These policies are available both online and in print to students, faculty, and staff. Summaries of the policies, including information concerning campus and community support resources, are also available in pamphlet form. Filing a Report with Law Enforcement If a student or employee feels unsafe; has experienced or witnessed dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, sexual exploitation or any other form of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct; or would like to file a report with the police, please contact:
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