University Policy, State and Federal Laws

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Policy & Governance

University Policy
HOP 01-307

HOP 01-307, Title IX, applies to Sexual Harassment, as defined in the policy, that occurs within the university’s education programs and activities and that is committed by an administrator, faculty member, staff, student, contractor, guest or other member of the university community within the university’s jurisdiction.

State Law
Texas Senate Bill 212

Texas Senate Bill 212 is state law that requires all employees (both faculty and staff, full and part time employees) at a public or private post-secondary institution to promptly report any knowledge of any incidents of sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking "committed by or against a person who was a student enrolled at or an employee of the institution at the time of the incident."

Federal Law
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Title IX is federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activity’s receiving federal financial assistance. 

Protections for Pregnant and Parenting Students

Under Title IX, SFA provides for equal educational opportunities for pregnant and parenting students. Federal law prohibits educational institutions from discriminating against students based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions.

Title IX also prohibits schools from applying any rule related to a student's parental, family or marital status that treats students differently based on their sex. This includes school-sponsored extracurricular activities and internships, athletics, financial aid and scholarships, career counseling, and lab and clinical work.