Policies and Procedures

Report Response Process

The Title IX Coordinator and relevant staff review reports to determine whether they fall under the Title IX Policy (AD 85), the Discrimination & Harassment & Related Inappropriate Conduct Policy (AD 91), and whether they are assigned to Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response (OSMRR) or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA).

The applicable policy sets forth certain procedures in case management, investigations, and hearings; however, the vast majority of options and support are identical under all policies. Reports of behavior not defined as sexual misconduct are referred to appropriate offices.

When a complaint is affected by significant time delay, Penn State will typically apply the definition of prohibited conduct which was in place at the time of the alleged conduct and the procedures which are in place at the time of the complaint. Such decisions are within the sole discretion of the Title IX Coordinator and are not appealable.

Penn State’s Policy AD 67 defines protection from retaliation for good faith reports of wrongful conduct.

The Title IX Policy addresses reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking incidents that occurred on campus or at a University owned or controlled location or program within the United States.
Penn State’s Title IX Policy is under AD 85. AD 85 defines prohibited conduct and prescribes procedures for reports, investigations, formal hearings, and sanctions.

Discrimination & Harassment & Related Inappropriate Conduct Policy (AD 91) addresses all other reports of sexual misconduct that are not addressed under the Title IX Policy. Prohibited conduct includes off-campus sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and domestic violence, as well as gender-based harassment and sexual exploitation. If the Complainant, or the victim/survivor, is not participating in a Penn State educational activity, AD 91 also applies. AD 91 defines prohibited conduct and prescribes procedures for reports, investigations, formal hearings, and sanctions.
Penn State’s Non-Title IX Policy is under AD 91. AD 91 defines prohibited conduct and prescribes procedures for reports, investigations, formal hearings, and sanctions.

Reports where the Respondent, or the accused party, is a University employee are managed by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access determines the applicability of the Title IX Policy, Non-Title IX Policy, or other University policies to each case.

Penn State’s Office of Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response (OSMRR) addresses Title IX reports involving students, as well as other reports of student sexual misconduct otherwise prohibited by University policy.

September 8, 2023: Updated text throughout to reflect name changes for OSMRR and OEOA.
January 23, 2023: moved content to new website platform; added information about OSMPR.
August 16, 2022: Updated text throughout to reflect appropriate policy names and links.
March 31, 2022: Updated paragraph text, removed Pre-8/14/20 Policy tab, removed dates from AD 85 and AD 91 tabs, added lower paragraph about time delay, and added a revisions block

Information by Participant

Report Response Process

Information by Participant

Legal Statements