University Title IX Policies & Procedures
Learn more about University Policies & Procedures
Policies & Procedures
Harvard University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the University community is, on the basis of sex, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any University program or activity. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination in that it denies an individual equal access to the University’s programs or activities.
Harvard University’s policies prohibiting sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct are designed to ensure a safe and non-discriminatory educational and work environment and to meet legal requirements, including: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in the University’s programs or activities; relevant sections of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in employment; and Massachusetts laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Harvard Policies
Harvard University adopted two policies to address sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct occurring on or after on August 14, 2020. The two policies are called the Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and the Interim Other Sexual Misconduct Policy. Together, these policies continue to prohibit conduct addressed by the University's previous policy, the Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy.
Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy
This Policy is designed to address conduct that falls within Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and other federal and state laws and regulations. This Policy addresses misconduct occurring on or after August 14, 2020.
Interim Other Sexual Misconduct Policy
This Policy is designed to address sexual misconduct that falls outside the jurisdiction of the Interim Sexual Harassment Policy. This Policy addresses misconduct occurring on or after August 14, 2020.
Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy
This policy addresses sexual and gender-based harassment occurring before August 14, 2020.
Procedures for Formal Complaints
The University has designed grievance procedures to provide prompt and equitable methods of investigation and resolution to concerns of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct, remedy any harm, and prevent its recurrence.
Complaints Against Staff
Conduct Occurring On or After August 14, 2020
- Interim Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints Against Harvard Staff Members Pursuant to the Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy (PDF)
- Interim Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints Against Harvard Staff Members Pursuant to the Interim Other Sexual Misconduct Policy (PDF)
- Interim FAS Policies and Procedures Addressing Title IX Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct
Conduct Occurring Before August 14, 2020
Central Administration • Harvard Business School • Harvard Divinity School • Harvard Graduate School of Education • Harvard Kennedy School • Harvard Law School • Harvard Medical School • Harvard School of Dental Medicine • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health • Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
Procedimientos para el Manejo de Denuncias Contra Miembros del Personal (PDF)
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
(includes: Division of Continuing Education • Graduate School of Arts and Sciences • Harvard College • Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences)
FAS Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy and Procedures (PDF)
Graduate School of Design
Complaints Against Students
Conduct Occurring On or After August 14, 2020
- Interim Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints Against Students Pursuant to the Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy (PDF)
- Interim Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints Against Students Pursuant to the Interim Other Sexual Misconduct Policy (PDF)
- Interim FAS Policies and Procedures Addressing Title IX Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct
- HLS Sexual Harassment Resources and Procedures for Students
Conduct Occurring Before August 14, 2020
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
(includes: Division of Continuing Education • Graduate School of Arts and Sciences • Harvard College • Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences)
FAS Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy and Procedures (PDF)
Graduate School of Design
Graduate School of Design • Harvard Business School • Harvard Divinity School • Harvard Graduate School of Education • Harvard Kennedy School • Harvard Medical School • Harvard School of Dental Medicine • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health • Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
Harvard Law School
Complaints Against Faculty
Conduct Occurring On or After August 14, 2020
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
(includes: Division of Continuing Education • Graduate School of Arts and Sciences • Harvard College • Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences)
Graduate School of Design
- Interim Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints Against Harvard Staff Members Pursuant to the Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy (PDF)
- Interim Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints Against Harvard Staff Members Pursuant to the Interim Other Sexual Misconduct Policy (PDF)
- GSD Faculty Handbook
Harvard Business School • Harvard Divinity School • Harvard Graduate School of Education • Harvard Kennedy School • Harvard Medical School • Harvard School of Dental Medicine • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Interim Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints Against Harvard Staff Members Pursuant to the Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy (PDF)
- Interim Procedures for Handling Formal Complaints Against Harvard Staff Members Pursuant to the Interim Other Sexual Misconduct Policy (PDF)
- HMS/HSDM Procedures for Handling Complaints involving Faculty Pursuant to the Harvard University Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Interim Other Sexual Misconduct Policy
Harvard Law School
Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
For complaints against faculty members, the sexual harassment policies and procedures of the School with which they are affiliated apply. Please contact Asma Shariff for the appropriate policy and procedures.
Conduct Occurring Before August 14, 2020
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
(includes: Division of Continuing Education • Graduate School of Arts and Sciences • Harvard College • Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences)
Graduate School of Design • Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Medical School • Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
For complaints against faculty members, the sexual harassment policies and procedures of the School with which they are affiliated apply. Please contact Asma Shariff for the appropriate policy and procedures.
Contact Title IX Compliance
Email: csndr_titleix@harvard.edu
Office phone number: (617) 496-0200
