About Title IX
For detailed information regarding the Title IX investigation and grievance process, please refer to the Transylvania University Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy.
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that states:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from sex-based discrimination in education. This includes promoting equity in academic and athletic programs, addressing hostile environments, prohibiting sexual harassment and sexual violence, protecting against retaliation, and ensuring appropriate responses to other forms of gender-based discrimination.
For additional information, please review the University’s Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy or contact the Title IX Office at titleix@transy.edu.
Response to a Report
Upon receipt of a report by the Title IX Coordinator or another Official with Authority regarding an alleged violation of Policy, Transylvania University will initiate one or more of the following responses:
Supportive Measures Only
Supportive measures may be offered when an individual does not wish to proceed with a formal complaint.
Informal Resolution
When appropriate and agreed upon by the parties, the University may facilitate an informal resolution (ex: mediation).
Formal Grievance Process
A formal process that includes an investigation and, where applicable, a hearing.
Reporting
If you are in immediate danger on campus, call the University’s Department of Public Safety at (859)‑233-8118 or dial 911. You may also contact Lexington Metro Police at (859)‑258-3600.
Individuals have the option to file a criminal complaint directly with law enforcement. The Department of Public Safety and the Title IX Coordinator are available to assist with this process if support is needed.
Reports to the University can be made in several ways:
- By email at titleix@transy.edu
- In person
- Through the University’s online reporting system
- By phone at (859) 233-8179.
These individuals are employees of Transylvania University who are obligated by policy to share knowledge, notice, and/or reports of harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation with the Title IX Coordinator.
Transylvania University has designated the following as mandated reporters:
- All cabinet members
- Department supervisors
- Department faculty chairs
- Coaches [academic and athletic]
- Housing and Residence Life staff [including Area Coordinators and Resident Advisors]
- All staff who work for the Department of Public Safety.
Parties reporting sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking should be aware that under the Clery Act, Transylvania University must issue timely warnings for incidents reported to them that pose a serious or continuing threat of bodily harm or danger to members of the campus community.
Erik Emery
Clery Compliance Officer
Department of Public Safety
439 West 4th Street, Lexington KY
eemery@transy.edu
Transylvania University will ensure that names and other identifying information is not disclosed, while still providing enough information for community members to make safety decisions in light of the potential danger.
External reports and concerns can be made to:
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline #: (800) 421-3481
Facsimile: (202) 453-6012
TDD#: (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Department Comment Line: 202-353-1555
Department of Justice Main Switchboard: 202-514-2000
TTY/ASCII/TDD: 800-877-8339
Electronic Contact Form: https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice
Web: https://www.justice.gov/
Title IX Resources
Immediate Steps
If you have recently experienced sexual assault, your safety and well-being come first. You may consider:
- Moving to a safe place where you feel protected
- Calling 911 or campus safety at (859) 233-8118 if you are in immediate danger
- Seeking medical attention to address injuries, and to discuss options related to sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy
- Connecting with 24/7 confidential support for survivors of sexual assault
- Contacting the Title IX Office (titleix@transy.edu) to access supportive measures, including academic, workplace, housing, or other accommodations
Other Actions to Consider
You are in control of what happens next. If and when you feel ready, you may consider:
- Reaching out to a trusted person, support network, or advocate
- Seeking a medical forensic exam (often called a rape kit), if applicable
- Preserving any evidence and documenting what you remember
- Connecting with a confidential resource for emotional or therapeutic support
- Reporting to the Title IX Office (titleix@transy.edu) to explore options, obtain supportive measures, or file a formal complaint
If you want to keep details of your Title IX incident confidential, the following persons/offices can provide confidential support. The listed external, national, and online agencies are commonly used resources and do not reflect endorsement from Transylvania University. Your healthcare provider or therapist may be able to recommend additional resources.
On Campus
- Student Health
Appointment via my.transy.edu – My Health Portal- Melissa Harris mharris@transy.edu
(859) 233-8127
- Melissa Harris mharris@transy.edu
- Counseling Center (for students only)
Appointment via counseling@transy.edu
Tricia Hite, LPCC
thite@transy.edu
External/Off Campus
- Employee Assistance Program
Free and confidential counseling sessions for Transylvania employees
The Woodland Group
info@woodlandgroup.org
(859) 255-4864 - Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center
Free services (e.g. counseling, medical care, legal advocacy)
www.ampersandky.org
1-800-656-4673 - New Vista
Outpatient and residential programs
www.newvista.org
1-800-928-8000 - Green House 17
Intimate partner abuse resources (e.g. emergency shelter, safety planning, legal advocacy)
www.greenhouse17.org
1-800-544-2022 - Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
Assistance with protective orders, and more
lablaw.org/protection-safety
(859) 431-8200
National Crisis Hotlines
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1-800-273-TALK (8255) - 24-hour mental health crisis line
Text or Call 988 - National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text: START to 88788 - RAINN (Rape, Abuse &
Incest National Network)
www.rainn.org
1-800-HOPE (4673)
Online Resources
- LGBT National Help Center
Private hotline, chat, resources.
www.lgbthotline.org
General: 1-888-843-4564 – Coming Out: 1-888-688-5428 - Trans Lifeline
Peer support hotline, Mo-Fr
1PM-9PM
www.translifeline.org 1-877-565-8860 - The Trevor Project
Free counseling for LGBTQIA+ youth 25 and under
www.thetrevorproject.org/get/help
1-866-488-7386 - 1in6
Free and confidential weekly online support for men survivors of abusive sexual experiences
www.1in6.org
1in6@zeroabuseproject.org
1-800-656-4673 - love is respect
Information, support, and advocacy to young people (13-26) and their allies to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence
www.loveisrespect.org
1-866-331-9474
text: LOVEIS to 22522
Title IX
- Title IX Coordinator
titleix@transy.edu - Reporting Option
www.transy.edu/titleix — File a Title IX Report
Campus Safety
- Erik Emery
Clery Compliance Officer
eemery@transy.edu - Department of Public Safety
dps@transy.edu
(859) 233-8118
439 West 4th Street
Text-a-Tip: (859) 351-7343
Off-Campus Safety Resources
- Lexington Metro Police
Police-chief@lexingtonpolice.ky.gov
(859) 258-3600 - Kentucky State Police
Ksp.webmaster@ky.gov
502-782-1800 - Victim’s Advocates – Office of the Fayette County Attorney
www.fayettecountyattorney.com/about/advocates
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Care
- UK Healthcare, Chandler Emergency, Lexington
- Bluegrass Community Hospital, Versailles
- Bourbon Community Hospital, Paris
- Clark Regional Medical Center, Winchester
- Georgetown Community Hospital, Georgetown
Training for Title IX Personnel
Transylvania University ensures that all members of the Title IX team, i.e. Title IX Coordinator, investigators, decision-makers, appellate decision-makers, institution-appointed process advisors, and resolution facilitators receive regular Title. Training topics include but are not limited to the definition of Title IX Sexual Harassment as defined in 34 C.F.R. 106.30(a), the scope of the University’s education program and activity, how to conduct an investigation and grievance process, including hearings, appeals and informal resolution processes, as applicable, and how to serve impartially, including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts at issue, issues of relevance of questions and evidence, conflicts of interest, and biases. Any material used to train the Title IX team must not rely on sex stereotypes and must promote impartial investigations and adjudications of formal complaints of sexual harassment.
In accordance with 34 C.F.R. 106.45(b)(10) of the 2020 Title IX regulations, Transylvania University is publicly sharing all materials used to train its Title IX team. The list will be updated when new trainings have been completed.
The following trainings have been completed recently by members of the Title IX team:
Pregnant and Parenting Students
Transylvania University is committed to creating a welcoming environment for pregnant and parenting students and does not discriminate on the basis of a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom. Under Title IX, pregnant and parenting students have rights as they relate to access to education. The U.S. Department of Education provides a website with relevant information: Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting?
Students may request reasonable modifications as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. Every student’s situation is different and comes with different needs. Together with campus partners, the Title IX Coordinator can help you identify and request appropriate supportive measures.
Modifications may include:
- Excused absences due to pregnancy or related condition
- Access to lectures online if available
- Opportunity to make up field/lab work
- Rescheduling of tests or exams
- Breaks during class or work, as needed
- Additional time to complete assignments
- Breaks and access to lactation space
Please contact the Title IX Coordinator to discuss pregnancy-related modifications. You may find detailed information in the Transylvania University Student Pregnancy & Related Conditions Policy.