For more information visit: emergency.wvu.edu
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
- Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972
Explore Reporting Options and Resources Access the 2025-26 Title IX Training ResourcesTitle IX applies to institutions that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education, including state and local educational agencies. In addition to WVU, these agencies include approximately 16,500 local school districts, 7,000 post-secondary institutions, as well as charter schools, for-profit schools, libraries, and museums.
Did you know that Title IX isn’t just about equity for students who play sports? In fact, it covers an area that affects employees and faculty members at work, as well. Title IX creates a fair and welcoming environment for faculty, staff, and students. It covers sex-based violence and sex-based discrimination, including stalking, relationship violence, bullying, and sexual misconduct.
The regulations regarding Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, can be found on the Department of Justice website.
WVU’s Title IX obligations touch all areas of the campus community including, recruitment, admissions, and counseling; financial assistance; athletics; sex-based harassment; treatment of pregnant and parenting students; discipline; single-sex education; and employment. WVU and members of the campus community may not retaliate against any person filing a complaint against the University or another campus community member for participating in an investigation of a complaint.
Once a school knows or reasonably should know of possible sex-based discrimination or harassment, including sex-based violence, it must take immediate and appropriate action to investigate.
If a Title IX incident is reported, prompt and immediate steps to end the sex-based violence, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects MUST be taken.
The institution must also:
The institution's grievance procedures must use the preponderance of evidence standard to resolve complaints. This standard of evidence is like saying “50% + a feather”. The institution must also notify both parties of the outcome of the complaint and appeal rights. The Reported Victim and the Respondent both have equal rights to notification, and each are informed of their appeal rights and action of the other person.
Sex discrimination includes discrimination based on pregnancy and such discrimination is prohibited and illegal in admissions, educational programs and activities, hiring, leave policies, employment policies, and health insurance coverage. Title IX requires that pregnant students be treated the same way as a student with any other temporary disability, and they must be given an opportunity to make up missed work wherever possible. Under Title IX, WVU provides reasonable accommodations to those who are pregnant or who experience a pregnancy-related condition.
Should you need assistance in managing an accommodation request, contact WVU’s Director of Compliance Title IX Coordinator, James Goins Jr at (304) 293-8363 or james.goins@mail.wvu.edu or WVU’s ADA Coordinator at (304) 293-5600 or ada@mail.wvu.edu.
For more information about pregnancy in higher education, visit The Pregnant Scholar.
While these numbers are real, it is important to remember that statistics are what is reported, recorded, and reviewed. Many survivors of sexual violence and power-based personal violence do not report their experience for a number of reasons, making the truth behind the numbers less reliable than what individuals actually experience on campuses and in communities across the nation.
Participate in Prevention Programs and Trainings
Staff members across the Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance offer training on a variety of topics, including bystander intervention, mental health awareness, child abuse prevention, stalking awareness, and more.
To check out our offerings and request an in-person program or training, please visit the page below:
Become a WVU Peer Advocate
All students are welcome and encouraged to become a Peer Advocate, and does not need prior advocacy experience to join. Students have the option to take specialized advocate training, notably the West Virginia Sexual Assault Service Training Academy, or SASTA training. Services offered by the WVU Peer Advocates include but are not limited to the following:
Any student interested in becoming a Peer Advocate can attend a meeting, call our office at 304-293-5600 or reach out to peeradvocates@mail.wvu.edu.
Learn More about the WVU Peer Advocate ProgramWhether you are a student or employee impacts how Title IX and BOG Rule 1.6 applies to you. Visit the relevant page below to view common questions for different stages of the reporting and investigation process.
The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for overseeing and monitoring WVU’s compliance to Title IX to promote a non-discriminatory and harassment-free campus community. The Title IX Coordinator oversees investigations of all civil rights-based complaints, including Title IX complaints, and ensuring that access to University programs and activities is not prohibited on the basis of sex.
Director of Compliance, Title IX Coordinator Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance
Read More: James Goins Jr.If you wish to speak to someone anonymously, please call the 24/7 Title IX Anonymous Hotline at 304-906-9930. Someone is available to take your call 24 hours a day. The hotline is operated by the Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance's Prevention Team:
Assistant Director for Prevention, Education, and Youth Protection Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance
Read More: Cortney Simmons
Youth Protection Specialist Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance
Read More: Mason Arbogast
Prevention Education Specialist Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance
Read More: Deborah Blakney
Prevention Education Specialist Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance
Read More: Shelby McCloskey