Policies

“ 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. ”

Title IX and Sex Discrimination (ed.gov)

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. It applies to all aspects of employment and education programs and activities at LSU. 

Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex includes sexual harassment which is defined as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: 

  • Quid pro quo: An employee of the university conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the institution on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct. 
  • Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity. 
  • Sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking as defined in other federal laws (Clery Act and VAWA).

In addition, Title IX covers reports when: 

  • The conduct is alleged to have been perpetrated against a person in the United States; 
  • The conduct is alleged to have taken place within the University’s programs and activities; and 
  • At the time of the filing or signing of the Formal Complaint, the Complainant is participating in or attempting to participate in the University’s programs or activities. 

Title IX also prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender in other ways, including but limited to: 

  • Pregnancy or parenthood 
  • LGBTQI community 
  • Admissions 
  • Academic courses and programs 
  • Athletics 
  • Financial Aid 
  • Housing 

State laws that enforce sexual misconduct exist alongside Title IX in order to implement broader protections and standards, clarify jurisdiction, provide a more localized approach, and address state-specific concerns.

Louisiana state law and the Board of Regents, under Act 472 in 2021, put into effect the Uniform Policy on Power-Based Violence. The policy outlines the steps and rules that public colleges and universities in Louisiana must follow to ensure the safety aprotection of students and employees from power-based violence. 


Permanent Memorandum 73 is specific to LSU and outlines procedures for addressing power-based violence, including sex- and gender-based harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct. These procedures are required by Title IX, Act 472 of the 2021 Louisiana Legislature, and the Board of Regents Uniform Policy on Power-Based Violence. LSU's Title IX Coordinator is responsible for administering this policy at all University locations.