Equity and Title IX

“No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

-Title VI of the Civil Rights Act

“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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

 –Title IX of 20 U.S.C.A §168

Who We Are

The Office of Equity & Title IX fulfills the legal requirements of an institution that received federal funding by complying with both Title VI & Title IX.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that protects persons from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Accordingly, a recipient of financial assistance (in the form of a grant, cooperative agreement, or other type of assistance) from the Department must provide access to their programs and services on a nondiscriminatory basis. 

Title IX  is a federal civil rights law that applies to educational institutions that receive federal funding, including K-12 and post-secondary public, private, and charter schools in the United States. 

The term “equity” refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances. 

What We Do

Muhlenberg College is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive educational environment for all students, faculty, and staff. The Office of Equity and Title IX supports this commitment in its responsibilities by ensuring that all Muhlenberg community members can equally participate in Muhlenberg’s educational and employment opportunities regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other identity as protected by applicable laws. The Office of Equity and Title IX, in collaboration with campus partners, provides guidance and training to faculty, staff, and students to support diversity, inclusiveness, equal access, equitable treatment, and the prevention of prohibited discrimination and harassment at Muhlenberg College.

The Office of Equity and Title IX oversees response and investigation of all reports and complaints of bias, identity-based discrimination and harassment, sexual misconduct, relationship violence, stalking, and retaliatory harassment as prohibited by College policies addressing such conduct.

Learn more about Title IX at Muhlenberg College and the US Department of Education’s recent changes to Title IX regulations.

Reach Us

To file a report of discrimination, harassment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, or retaliatory harassment, please click on “File an Online Report Now” link on this page. Anonymous reports are allowed, but may limit the College's ability to fully respond. A report may also be filed in person at the Office of Equity and Title IX on the third floor of Haas Building, by phone at 484-664-3562, or by email at [email protected]. 

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, in a present unsafe situation, or in need of immediate medical attention, please DO NOT use the online reporting form and call Campus Safety’s emergency number at 484-664-3110 or “911”.    

Please note that the Office of Equity and Title IX is not a confidential office, though information that is reported to the Office of Equity and Title IX will be treated with careful discretion and consideration. Information about confidential resources on campus can be found by clicking on the “Resources” link.

For detailed information on the areas overseen by the Office of Equity and Title IX, and departments that collaborate with the office, please explore the links provided on this page. Any questions about the office or any of the information on this site may be directed to the Director of Equity and Title IX, Jennifer Storm, at [email protected].

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Muhlenberg College does not discriminate against any person based on age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Inquiries  and/or complaints of discrimination in violation of nondiscrimination policies including complaints made under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex) may be directed to: Director of Equity and Title IX, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA 18104. (484) 664-3562.

Individuals with complaints of this nature also have the right to file a formal complaint with the United States Department of Education: Office for Civil Rights (OCR) http://www.ed.gov/ocr. Employees who believe they have been discriminated against under this policy have
the right to file a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at: https://www.eeoc.gov.