Harvard’s Title IX officer discusses new rules
Today, new U.S. Department of Education (DOE) rules on Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funds, took effect. In order to comply with the new federal regulations, Harvard has implemented interim policies and procedures. The Gazette spoke with Title IX officer Nicole Merhill to discuss what has changed and how the University was able to implement these changes in the very short timeline set forth by the DOE, with the input of community members across Harvard. Q&A Nicole Merhill GAZETTE: Would you provide some of the context around the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to issue new Title IX rules? MERHILL: In November of 2018, the DOE published proposed amendments to the Title IX regulations, specifically as applied to sexual harassment, including sexual assault and sexual violence, at elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions. Consistent with the rule-making process, individuals were invited to comment on the proposed regulations. Ultimately,...