Carnegie Mellon University

Education

The Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX offers and/or coordinates general educational programs for members of our campus community in a variety of settings including: in-person programs during incoming freshmen orientation, incoming graduate student orientation, and department meetings and staff meetings, and online trainings for staff and faculty, undergraduate and graduate students.  Education and prevention programs are also offered through the Health Promotion team in University Health Services.

Training

The Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX offers and/or coordinates training programs specific to certain roles on campus, including student facing staff (housefellows and college liaisons), student leaders (residential advisors, community advisors, orientation counselors), law enforcement, and health and mental health professionals. 

Annual Training

As required by applicable Title IX regulations, the university must ensure that all university Employees receive training related to their duties under Title IX promptly upon hiring or change of position that alters their duties under Title IX and annually thereafter.

All Employees must be annually trained on:

  1. The obligation to address Sex Discrimination in University Programs or Activities and how to report Prohibited Conduct to the IEX Office;
  2. The scope of conduct that constitutes Sex Discrimination, Sex-Based Harassment, and related Retaliation under this Policy; and
  3. All applicable notification and information requirements, including the Employee’s mandatory reporting obligation with respect to known or suspected Sex Discrimination, and the Employee’s duty to provide certain required disclosures to a Student, as discussed further below, when informed by a Student of that Student’s Pregnancy or related conditions.
Please email instititutionalequity@cmu.edu for more details on training.

Requesting an Educational or Training Program

The Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX is dedicated to providing educational and prevention programming year-round for both students and employees. During the summer months, we focus heavily on training members of our community who are on campus in Title IX and our role within the university. If you are interested in bringing an Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX program and presentation to your area, please complete the form below.

Access Asynchronous Training Resources

The Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX offers valuable online training programs. 

Through these online training programs, we aim to ensure that our campus community is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to incidents of harassment, discrimination, and assault, and to promote a culture of respect and inclusion for all.

ACCESS ASYNCHRONOUS TRAININGS USING THIS LINK

Prevention

The University is committed to preventing incidents of sexual misconduct before they occur wherever possible. These efforts include raising awareness, providing education and training programs, and providing campus safety initiatives including police and security patrols.  

At the individual level, there are practical strategies for reducing risk of sexual misconduct, but it is important to note that no strategy can fully eliminate the risk of sexual misconduct, and that it is never your fault if you are sexually assaulted or otherwise harmed by sexual misconduct.

All incoming first-year students receive sexual misconduct prevention and risk reduction programming as part of Orientation, including online programming by Vector Solutions. 

All incoming graduate students are strongly recommended to take sexual misconduct prevention and risk reduction programming as part of Orientation, including online programming Safer Scotty: Healthy Relationships. 

All new staff receive a short presentation about Title IX and sexual misconduct as part of the New Hire Orientation. 

All incoming faculty and staff are required to take an online harassment prevention program from United Educators within thirty (30) days of hire. 

Throughout the year, the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX (in conjunction with on- and off-campus partners) offers various programs and trainings for students, staff and faculty to attend voluntarily or as requested by a department, student organization, residence hall, or other group, including:

  • Title IX Overview at Carnegie Mellon University: Promoting Equity and Preventing Discrimination is a 50-minute training session where participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of Title IX, its historical context, and its role in promoting equity, preventing discrimination, and fostering a safe and inclusive campus environment.  Training will cover the fundamental principles of Title IX, including the prohibition of sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct within the CMU community. Through interactive discussions, a focus on reporting mechanisms, and investigation processes, attendees will leave with a solid foundation in Title IX regulations as they pertain to CMU and a recognition of their personal role in upholding a campus culture that respects and protects the rights of all individuals.  Note: This training serves as an introductory session and may act as a precursor for more in-depth training on specific aspects of Title IX

  • Consent and Communication: Building Healthy Relationships at CMU is a 50-minute training where participants will explore the critical topics of consent and communication in the context of building healthy relationships. Through engaging discussions, interactive activities, and real-world scenarios, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of consent and the significance of effective communication and boundaries. The training will provide strategies for recognizing and navigating consent-related issues, fostering open and respectful communication, active listening, and setting and respecting personal boundaries. By the end of this training, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and practical tools to promote respectful and consensual interactions, creating a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals at CMU.

  • Reporting and the Reporting Process: Promoting a Safe and Accountable Community is a 30-minute training where participants will gain a thorough understanding of the reporting process and learn how to effectively report incidents related to discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct.  Participants will become familiar with the reporting mechanisms, step-by-step procedures, and available resources By the end of this training, attendees will possess the knowledge and confidence to navigate the reporting process effectively, ensuring that their voices are heard and that appropriate action is taken, while also being aware of the available support resources for those who have experienced or witnessed incidents of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct at CMU.

  • Safeguarding Against Sextortion and Cyber Scams: Building Digital Resilience at CMU is a 30-minute training where participants will gain essential knowledge on safeguarding against sextortion and cyber scams, empowering them with digital resilience. Through informative presentations, real-life examples, and practical tips, attendees will deepen their understanding of the risks associated with sextortion and cyber scams, learning to recognize warning signs, protect their personal information, and avoid falling victim to these schemes. By the end of this training, participants will have practical knowledge and strategies to navigate the digital landscape confidently, contribute to a safer online environment at CMU, and protect themselves against sextortion and cyber scams.

  • Other programs by request.

We are working with key campus partners to build a comprehensive, scaffolded prevention strategy (CDC 2016, UN 2018).