Title IX and Sexual Misconduct

St. John Fisher University (the “University”) is committed to maintaining a community in which learning and working can be carried out in an environment of respect, open-mindedness, and integrity. The University stands opposed to all forms of discrimination, harassment, and violence and will work to prevent such behavior within the University community.

Title IX Notice

Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity and provides that:

No person...shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance...

Examples of types of gender-based discrimination prohibited by Title IX include:

  • Sexual harassment occurring in connection with any academic, athletic, extracurricular, or other university program, regardless of the location;
  • Sexual violence/sexual assault;
  • Discrimination against a student based on sex, including in grading, provision of research opportunities, access to classes and academic programs, or access to medical services;
  • Discrimination against an applicant for admission or employment because of sex;
  • Discrimination against an employee based on sex, including in pay or discipline;
  • Failure to provide equitable opportunity for participation in intercollegiate sports; or
  • Disproportionate awards of financial assistance.

The University prohibits sexual or gender-based violence, sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence including dating violence and domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation. These forms of prohibited behavior are referred to in this Policy interchangeably as “Sexual Misconduct” or “Prohibited Conduct.” The University will respond promptly and equitably to reports of Sexual Misconduct and Prohibited Conduct to eliminate hostile environments created by such behavior and provide equal access to educational programs and activities.  The Policy authorizes the University's Title IX Coordinator, or an authorized designee, to conduct an initial review of reported allegations to determine the proper course of the University's prompt and equitable responsive actions.

Among its protections, the University Policy prohibits Sexual Harassment under Title IX. On May 19, 2020, the United States Department of Education issued a Final Rule, effective August 14, 2020, addressing Sexual Harassment as defined under Title IX and amending part 106 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations (“Title IX Rule”). The Policy incorporates by reference and implements the requirements of the Title IX Rule. Upon the University's actual knowledge of Title IX Sexual Harassment as reported to either the Title IX Coordinator or any University official authorized to institute corrective actions, Title IX requires responsive actions by the University (including Supportive Measures) and the implementation of a Grievance Process upon the filing of a Formal Complaint to investigate and adjudicate the reported alleged Title IX Sexual Harassment. Any inquiries about the application of Title IX and its federal regulations to the University (including the Title IX Rule) may be referred to the University's Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education, or both.  The Department’s Office for Civil Rights has published its contact information at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr.

St. John Fisher University recognizes that sexual misconduct affects individuals of all genders, gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. All protections under the Policy are equitably provided to individuals regardless of such status.

Read the full Sexual Misconduct Policy [pdf].

Title IX Coordinator

Pursuant to Title IX and its regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106), the Title IX coordinator is the designated University official with primary responsibility for coordinating compliance with Title IX and other federal and state laws and regulations relating to sex-based discrimination.

Anyone may report sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct or sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim), in person, by mail, by telephone or electronic mail using the below-listed contact information for the Title IX coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX coordinator receiving a verbal or written disclosure or report. The University's Title IX coordinator is available to help students understand their options regarding both receiving support and reporting sexual misconduct. The Title IX coordinator is unable to guarantee confidentiality but they will maintain privacy to the fullest extent. Additionally, the Title IX coordinator is responsible for ensuring compliance with Title IX and its regulations, as well as the New York State Education Law 129-B.

The Title IX coordinator, Meg Flaherty, can be reached Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. by phone at (585) 385-8232, by email at titleix@sjf.edu, or after hours by contacting the residence director on duty, or the Office of Safety and Security.

The Title IX coordinator:

  • Supports those who assist with Title IX compliance;
  • Ensures that the University policies and procedures provide prompt and equitable resolutions to allegations of sexual harassment/misconduct, including mitigating real or perceived conflicts of interest;
  • Annually reviews the University's sexual harassment/misconduct policies;
  • Annually reviews the University's educational programs and opportunities for the campus community regarding the topics of sexual and harassment;
  • Informs campus community members about appropriate reporting processes for sexual harassment/misconduct allegations involving campus community members;
  • Tracks/monitors sexual harassment/misconduct allegations involving campus community members;
  • Ensures that training, education, and prevention efforts with respect to sexual misconduct allegations are provided for campus community members;
  • Provides for mandatory training for those implementing the grievance procedure (Title IX Coordinator, investigators, hearing board members) regarding University policies, formal process procedures, and applicable non-disclosure requirements;
  • Promotes the creation and implementation of policies, procedures, and notifications designed to ensure the University's compliance with Title IX;
  • Acts as a liaison to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights and other state and federal agencies that enforce Title IX;
  • Oversees matters related to the University's compliance with NYS Education Law 129-B.

The Title IX coordinator maintains broad oversight responsibility but may delegate responsibilities under this policy to designated administrators or external professionals who will have appropriate training and/or experience. When used in this policy, the term "Title IX coordinator" may include an appropriate designee.

Department of Education

In addition to the reporting choices below, persons may direct information about their allegations to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.

The OCR National Headquarters is located at:

Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100

Telephone: (800) 421-3481
Fax: (202) 453-6012; TDD: (800) 877-8339
Email: OCR@ed.gov

SUNY Student Conduct Institute Training
Institutional Member of the Student Conduct Institute. The State University of NY.

Federal and State laws require annual training of certain officials who have a role in the review, receipt of, investigation of, adjudication of, and appeal of certain reports of sexual, interpersonal, and related violence. In fulfillment of this requirement, St. John Fisher University is a member of the SUNY Student Conduct Institute. The SUNY Student Conduct Institute trains personnel at public and private institutions of higher education that have a role in receiving reports, investigation, adjudication, hearing, appeal, and advisement. 

The Institute is a joint Project of the SUNY Student Conduct Association (SUNYSCA), SUNY Title IX Coordinators Association (STIXCA), and the Office of General Counsel. The Institute is funded through the New York State "Enough is Enough" grant and from contributions made by member institutions. The Institute is led by the Director, Dr. Gemma Rinefierd, in consultation with the Principal Investigator, SUNY Associate Counsel Joseph Storch, and a steering committee of professionals from SUNY campuses who are members of participating institutions.

Access the training materials used to train St. John Fisher University personnel.

Campus Title IX Training
Campus Climate Study

Fisher administers a Campus Climate Study on Sexual Misconduct every other year, and the results are published on the website when they are available. For questions or a presentation about the survey or results, please contact the Title IX coordinator (contact information above). 

View the Campus Climate Survey 2021

View the Campus Climate Survey 2019 [pdf]

View the Campus Climate Survey 2017