Title IX

Combating Sexual Assault and Other Unwelcome Sexual Behavior

At the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, we are committed to providing a safe and secure academic environment free of sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, and sexual violence of any kind.

In doing so, we are following the tenets of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities at universities receiving federal funds.

We are also complying with New York’s “Enough is Enough” legislation that requires all colleges in the state to adopt a set of comprehensive procedures and guidelines to combat sexual harassment or violence.

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome comments or advances, sexually suggestive written or visual communications, and inappropriate flirtations. Sexual violence includes rape, assault, coercion, or any other unwanted sexual contact.

Harassing conduct may create a “hostile environment” that limits a student’s ability to participate fully in educational activities. Students have the right to reject, report, and request protection from any unwanted behavior of a sexual nature without fear of retaliation.

If you believe you have experienced any conduct prohibited by CUNY’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct and/or CUNY’s Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy, please do so by utilizing the CUNY Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Reporting Form.

This form will be submitted to the Chief Diversity Officer and/or Title IX Coordinator of the CUNY College or school that is implicated. The report will be reviewed and appropriate next steps will be taken, which may include reaching out to the reporting individual for more information or to explore available options. A report may be made anonymously. An anonymous report will be taken seriously and reviewed thoroughly; however, the ability to investigate an anonymous report and pursue further action may be limited.  

Title IX Coordinator, Executive Director of Institutional Equity, & Chief Diversity Officer

Jessica Morak

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Director of Public Safety & Domestic Violence Liaison:

Francis Vargas

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Chief Student Affairs Officer:

Matthew Brown

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Survivors of sexual violence have the right to have emergency access to a Title IX Coordinator or other appropriate official trained in interviewing victims of sexual assault, who shall be available upon the first instance of disclosure by a reporting individual to provide information regarding options to proceed, and, where applicable: the importance of preserving evidence and obtaining a sexual assault forensic examination as soon as possible; an explanation that the criminal justice process utilizes different standards of proof and evidence than the Title IX system; and that any questions about whether a specific incident violated the penal law should be addressed to law enforcement or the district attorney. For more information, please check out our SAFE Guide.

Information on resources and the process for filing a complaint is available on CUNY’s Title IX web page.

Questions about CUNY’s sexual misconduct policy and procedures may be directed to your campus Title IX Coordinator.

TITLE IX RESOURCES

Title IX at CUNY

Title IX Awareness & Reporting

Policy on Sexual Misconduct Training Series

Policy on Sexual Misconduct (2020)

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Policy

Title IX Resources

Speak Up, Speak Out Video:  Consent

Newmark J-School Student Handbook (PDF, 4.2MB)

RAINN – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673)

CUNY’s Drug/Alcohol Use Amnesty Policy

The Federal Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights

  • Survivors shall be notified of their options to notify law enforcement.
  • Accuser and accused must have the same opportunity to have others present.
  • Both parties shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary proceeding.
  • Survivors shall be notified of counseling services.
  • Survivors shall be notified of options for changing academic and living situations.For more information.

CUNY’s Sexual Violence Campus Climate Survey

THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK'S STUDENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

CUNY students who experience campus-related sexual or gender-based harassment or sexual violence, including sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, intimate partner violence or dating violence, are entitled to the following rights:

To report the incident to your campus.

To report the incident to the University or campus public safety department and/or to file a criminal complaint with the NYPD, or to choose not to report.

To receive assistance from your campus or others in filing a criminal complaint, which may include seeking an Order of Protection.

To describe the incident only to those campus officials who need the information in order to properly respond and to repeat the description as few times as practicable.

To request that the campus file conduct charges against the respondent(s). The decision on whether to bring charges rests with the campus.

To be protected by your campus from retaliation for reporting the incident, and to have any allegations of retaliation addressed by the campus.

To receive assistance and resources from your campus, including confidential and free on-campus counseling, and to be notified of other available services on- and off-campus, including, among other resources, the New York State Office of Victim Services.

To receive assistance in seeking necessary medical services or treatment, including a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE exam), on or off campus.

To obtain, where appropriate, changes with respect to campus academic and living arrangements, no-contact orders, and other interim remedial measures to enable you to continue your education without undue stress or trauma.

To have your complaints handled respectfully by the campus, and to be informed about how the campus will protect your privacy and confidentiality.

To have your complaint investigated in a prompt, impartial and thorough manner by individuals who have received appropriate training in conducting investigations and the issues related to sexual harassment and sexual violence, and to be accompanied by a person of your choice at all meetings or hearings related to the process.

To have your complaint against a student adjudicated by individuals who have received appropriate training on issues related to sexual harassment and sexual violence.

To report incidents of sexual harassment or sexual violence that you experience while under the influence of alcohol or drugs without receiving discipline for your alcohol or drug use.

To have the same opportunity as the respondent(s) to participate in a student disciplinary hearing before a faculty-student disciplinary committee, including the right to be present, to be represented by a person of your choice, including an attorney, to present evidence, call witnesses, cross-examine witnesses, have your prior sexual history with persons other than the respondent(s) excluded from the hearing, have your prior mental health diagnosis and/or treatment excluded from the hearing, receive written notice of the outcome of the hearing, and to appeal from the decision.

To participate in the investigative and disciplinary processes of the campus without interference with your civil rights or practice of religion.