Carnegie Mellon University

I. Policy Statement

The mission of Carnegie Mellon University is to cultivate a transformative educational experience for its students that is committed to promoting and safeguarding their personal health and well-being. In addition, the mission is to create a collaborative environment open to the free exchange of ideas, where research, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship can flourish and where individuals can achieve their full potential. It is the policy of Carnegie Mellon University to maintain an academic and work environment that promotes the confidence to work, study, innovate and perform without fear of sexual misconduct. Such misconduct diminishes individual dignity, is contrary to the values of the university and is a barrier to fulfilling the university’s mission. It will not be tolerated at Carnegie Mellon University.

It is the responsibility of every member of the University Community to foster an environment free of sexual misconduct. All members of the University Community are encouraged to take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent or stop such behavior.

The Interim Sexual Misconduct Policy (“Policy”) prohibits the types of misconduct listed below and defined in Section IX (also referred to collectively as “Prohibited Conduct”):

This Policy is intended to: (1) prevent, eliminate and remedy the effects of Prohibited Conduct; (2) foster an environment where all individuals are well-informed and supported in reporting Prohibited Conduct; and (3) provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for all parties once the university is made aware of possible Prohibited Conduct. While these principles are clear and straightforward, the detailed procedures set forth in this Policy are necessary to assure that these matters are handled in an impartial, thoughtful and thorough manner, consistent with the university’s dedication to the integrity of its process.

Furthermore, on May 19, 2020, the Department of Education issued a Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 with an effective date of August 14, 2020. The Final Rule governs how certain acts of sexual misconduct are defined under Title IX and sets forth the procedures and other requirements for adjudicating claims of such conduct (the “Final Rule”).  For purposes of this Policy, the conduct described in the Final Rule shall be referred to as “Federal Rule Sexual Misconduct.”  Federal Rule Sexual Misconduct is defined as follows:

Faculty, Staff, Students, or third parties who violate this Policy may face, as appropriate, disciplinary action up to and including termination, expulsion, or other actions.

Nothing in this Policy shall be construed to abridge the free expression of ideas that is essential to the university’s mission. The discourse conducted in accordance with the university's Freedom of Expression Policy and with the statement on Academic Freedom and Responsibility enunciated in the Appointment and Tenure Policy, whether in written, spoken, or electronic forms, shall be consistent with this Policy.

This Policy is intended to meet the university’s obligations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”); Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”); the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”), as amended by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”), with respect to its application to sexual misconduct; and other applicable law and regulations.