Title IX

As a recipient of federal funds, UNF is required to comply with TItle IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972,20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. ("Title IX")₁, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities, which includes all forms of sexual misconduct such as bullying, hazing, and other forms of gender-based indiscretions of a sexual nature. UNF is committed to providing programs, service, activities and an educational environment free from sex discrimination. Additionally, as an employer, the university is required to comply with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal and state laws regarding sex-based harassment.

Title IX Committee Coordinators

Student Affairs Title IX Coordinator

Coordinates and provides assistance with Title IX compliance in matters involving undergraduate students in general, police department, student government, student conduct, student ombudsman, women’s center, LGBT resource center and Greek life, including training, education, communication, and investigation of complaints in collaboration with the Title IX Administrator.

Ms. DeeAnne Crookham

Office of Campus Life

(904) 620-5742

d.crookham@unf.edu

Academic Affairs Title IX Coordinator

Coordinates Responsible for Title IX compliance in matters involving faculty and faculty administrators, academic advising, graduate and undergraduate affairs, financial aid, enrollment/admissions, including training, education, communication, and investigation of complaints in collaboration with the Title IX Administrator.

Dr. Lynn Jones

Coggin College of Business

(904) 620-1394

lcjones@unf.edu

Administration and Finance Title IX Coordinator

Coordinates and provides assistance with Title IX compliance in matters involving student housing and resident assistants, including training, education, communication, and investigation of complaints in collaboration with the Title IX Administrator.

Ms. Rocelia Gonzalez

ADA Compliance

(904) 620-2870

rrgonz@unf.edu

Athletics Title IX Coordinator

Coordinates and provides assistance with Title IX compliance in matters involving student athletes, coaches and athletic administrators and staff, including training, education, communication, and investigation of complaints in collaboration with the Title IX Administrator.

Ms. Melissa Baxendine

Athletics, Intercollegiate

(904) 620-2833

m.baxendine@unf.edu

Title IX Committee

Title IX Administrator, Ms. Cheryl Gonzalez
Student Affairs Title IX Coordinator, Ms. DeeAnne Crookham
Academic Affairs Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Lynn Jones
Administration and Finance Title IX Coordinator, Ms. Rocelia Gonzalez
Athletics Title IX Coordinator, Ms. Melissa Baxendine
General Counsel, Mr. Marc Snow
University Police Department, Ms. Tammy Oliver
Compliance, Dr. Joann Campbell
Student Government, Mr. Carlo Fassi (SGA President)
Student Conduct, Ms. Andrea Adams-Manning
Human Resources, Ms. Teresa Sandrock
Student Athlete, Ms. Larkira E. Jones

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in any educational program or activity operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. Sexual harassment, which includes acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX, as is gender-based bullying and hazing.
Who is protected under Title IX?

Title IX covers men and women, boys and girls, staff and students in any educational institution receiving federal funding. These include local school districts, colleges and universities, for-profit schools, libraries, and museums. Vocational rehabilitation agencies and education agencies of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories and possessions are also included. Title IX does not generally cover private educational institutions unless they receive federal financial assistance. In addition, music classes or choruses based on vocal range or quality, sex education classes, and sports involving bodily contact are exempt from Title IX requirements, as are religious institutions if implementation of this law would violate their religious tenets. Title IX also does not apply to admission to private undergraduate institutions.
Does Title IX apply to athletics only?

Although it is the application of Title IX to athletics that has gained the greatest public visibility, the law applies to every single aspect of education, including admissions and recruitment, comparable facilities, access to course offerings, access to schools of vocational education, counseling and counseling materials, financial assistance, student health and insurance benefits and/or services, housing, marital and parental status of students, physical education and athletics, education programs and activities, and employment. Before Title IX was enacted, most colleges and universities emphasized sports only for male students. The educational opportunities of athletic programs were generally limited for women. Title IX has helped focus attention on the legal requirements of federally funded institutions to provide equal athletic opportunities for women. The result has been increased involvement of girls and women in sports at all levels.
Does Title IX benefit only girls and women?

Title IX benefits everyone—girls and boys, women and men. The law requires educational institutions to maintain policies, practices, and programs that do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of gender. Elimination of discrimination against women and girls has received more attention because females have historically faced greater gender restrictions and barriers in education. However, Title IX has also benefited men and boys. Continued efforts to achieve educational equity have benefited all students by moving toward the creation of school environments where all students can learn and achieve the highest standards. "As research continues to show, gender-equitable education supports the teaching and learning of both girls and boys. It is as important for both girls and boys to learn about the contributions of women--from all groups and cultures--as it is to develop cooperative learning skills, or to learn about parenting. . . . Gender equity in education is more than putting girls on equal footing with boys--it’s eliminating the barriers and stereotypes that limit the opportunities and choices of both sexes."
If I notice something in my University that seems unfair or in violation of Title IX, how can I get help?

There are several resources available to help you on campus.

Contact your Title IX administrator or coordinator, and consult with him or her about the specific situation.

Contact the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education. OCR is available to answer your questions or if you wish to file a complaint. To contact the enforcement office for your region, visit the OCR website at www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/ocregion.html

The University is committed to providing an inclusive environment free from discrimination based on sex and provides a number of resources and services to assist students, faculty and staff in addressing issues involving sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct.