Northern Illinois University
Ethics and Compliance Office
Office of the President

Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures

The university prohibits all students, faculty and staff from engaging in sexual misconduct. This prohibition is consistent with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. ("Title IX"), which provides in part:

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.

The United States Department of Education has advised that sexual misconduct is a form of sex discrimination. This policy and procedure is consistent with Title IX and the implementing regulations, along with applicable state law, to include the Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, 110 ILCS 155/1 et seq., and the Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, 5 ILCS 430/1-5 et seq., to the extent that state law does not conflict with federal laws and regulations.

Questions or concerns regarding sexual misconduct, Title IX or the Sexual Misconduct Policy may be directed to Sarah Garner, ethics and compliance officer and Title IX coordinator at titleixcoordinator@niu.edu.

Types of Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct under the university’s policy includes sexual or gender harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. View the definitions of each of these types of sexual misconduct. 

The Sexual Misconduct Policy applies to all students, faculty, staff and third parties, regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation or any other factor unrelated to professional or educational qualifications.  

Nondiscrimination Statement

Academic and employment decisions based upon sex or gender and/or acts of sexual misconduct are forms of unlawful sex discrimination under Title IX and additional federal and state laws. Such decisions are prohibited under this and other policies of NIU. The university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender or gender identity in any phase of its educational or employment programs; the university is required by Title IX and other applicable laws not so to discriminate.