Ohio is now home to 211 colleges and universities with an annual student enrollment of roughly 400,000. These and the majority of U.S. institutions are required to maintain compliant with Title IX This is an amendment established in 1972 by the U.S. Department of Education to address sexual discrimination. At the state level, the Ohio Department of Education Compliance monitors changes and serves as a key resource for institutions.
What Does Title IX Prohibit?
- Sexual harassment: Involves any type of unwelcomed sexually-oriented conduct. Examples include unwanted advances or appeals for sexual favors.
- Sexual violence: Involves violent acts of a sexual nature committed against an unwilling victim or one who is unable to consent to participate. Examples include rape, sexual abuse, and coercion.
- Gender-based harassment: Examples may include slurs, stereotyping or gender-oriented threats.
Compliance Overview
Schools are required to name a Title IX Coordinator and implement written policies and processes that relate to Title IX. Federal regulations from the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) do not specify a certain way or structure for filing grievances (complaints). Upon receiving a complaint, the assigned administrator(s) will begin an investigation promptly.
There is a substantial emphasis placed on equality and ensuring there are no conflicts of interest. The accused will be afforded sufficient opportunity to prepare for answering the accusations. Typically, all parties may choose an advisor. The advisor may be restricted to a supportive role based on institutional guidelines.
LGBTQ and Title IX
LGBTQ students have traditionally been one of the more marginalized groups in scholastic group settings. When an LGBTQ student is accused of violating Title IX, such as sexual misconduct, they may feel withdrawn and unclear on how to proceed. Here, retaining experienced legal representation to serve in this advisory capacity is strongly encouraged. Your attorney can ensure you are prepared and that your rights are protected.
Rulings, Sanctions or Penalties
Many institutions summon all the parties to a hearing, which may be somewhat informal. All parties may be accompanied by their advisor in these proceedings. Two potential evidentiary standards may be used to determine if a violation occurred. These include whether the evidence was proven by a preponderance of the evidence or by a clear and convincing standard.
In many schools, this ruling is made by the Title IX Coordinator or another designated administrator. Approximately 14% of institutions employ some type of hearing panel that may be composed of administrators, faculty, students, etc. Sanctions or penalties may be imposed on violators.
OCR guidelines explain that these sanctions may be “based on the severity of the harassment or any record of prior incidents.” The most commonly imposed penalties include suspension or dismissal from the institution. The majority of schools do offer the opportunity to appeal a ruling.
Because of what is involved in such proceedings and also what is at stake, an accused student's interests will be best served when advised by an experienced attorney who protect an accused interests and rights during the investigation, if a hearing is held, and if an appeal is necessary.
Attorney Provides Representation for Students as an Advisor to Title IX Actions
Allegations such as those of sexual misconduct may lead to Title IX disciplinary proceedings that may have significant adverse sanctions or penalties. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has a firm understanding of how to assist students in Ohio in these matters. You are encouraged to contact his office today at (888) 535-3686.
Ohio colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your gay or lesbian student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools
- Allegheny Wesleyan College
- American Institute of Alternative Medicine
- Antonelli College Cincinnati
- Art Academy of Cincinnati
- Ashland University
- ATS Institute of Technology
- Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Baldwin Wallace College
- Beckfield College Tri County
- Belmont Technical College
- Bluffton University
- Bowling Green State University Firelands
- Bowling Green State University Main Campus
- Bradford School
- Brown Mackie College Akron
- Brown Mackie College Cincinnati
- Brown Mackie College Findlay
- Brown Mackie College North Canton
- Bryant & Stratton College Cleveland
- Bryant and Stratton College Eastlake
- Bryant and Stratton College Parma
- Capital University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Cedarville University
- Central Ohio Technical College
- Central State University
- Chamberlain College of Nursing Ohio
- Chancellor University
- Chatfield College
- Cincinnati Christian University
- Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science
- Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
- Clark State Community College
- Cleveland Institute of Art
- Cleveland Institute of Music
- Cleveland State University
- College of Mount St. Joseph
- Columbus College of Art and Design
- Columbus State Community College
- Cuyahoga Community College District
- Davis College
- Daymar College Chillicothe
- Daymar College Jackson
- Daymar College Lancaster
- Daymar College New Boston
- Defiance College
- Denison University
- DeVry University Ohio
- Eastern Gateway Community College
- Edison State Community College
- ETI Technical College
- Fortis College Centeville
- Fortis College Cincinnati
- Fortis College Columbus
- Fortis College Cuyahoga Falls
- Fortis College Ravenna
- Franciscan University of Steubenville
- Franklin University
- Gallipolis Career College
- Gods Bible School and College
- Good Samaritan College of Nursing & Health Science
- Harrison College Grove City
- Heidelberg University
- Herzing University Akron Campus
- Herzing University Toledo
- Hiram College
- Hocking College
- Hondros College
- International College of Broadcasting
- ITT Technical Institute Akron
- ITT Technical Institute Columbus
- ITT Technical Institute Dayton
- ITT Technical Institute Hilliard
- ITT Technical Institute Maumee
- ITT Technical Institute Norwood
- ITT Technical Institute Strongsville
- ITT Technical Institute Warrensville Heights
- ITT Technical Institute Youngstown
- James A Rhodes State College
- John Carroll University
- Kent State University at Ashtabula
- Kent State University at East Liverpool
- Kent State University at Geauga
- Kent State University at Kent
- Kent State University at Salem
- Kent State University at Stark
- Kent State University at Trumbull
- Kent State University at Tuscarawas
- Kenyon College
- Kettering College of Medical Arts
- Lake Erie College
- Lakeland Community College
- Lincoln College of Technology Cleveland
- Lincoln College of Technology Columbus
- Lincoln College of Technology Dayton
- Lincoln College of Technology Franklin LCT
- Lincoln College of Technology Toledo
- Lincoln College of Technology Tri County
- Lincoln College of Technology Vine Street
- Lorain County Community College
- Lourdes University
- Malone University
- Marietta College
- Marion Technical College
- Mercy College of Ohio
- Miami University
- Miami University Hamilton
- Miami University Middletown
- Miami Jacobs Career College
- Miami Jacobs Career College Columbus
- Miami Jacobs Career College Dayton
- Miami Jacobs Career College Sharonville
- Miami Jacobs Career College Springboro
- Miami Jacobs Career College Troy
- Mount Carmel College of Nursing
- Mount Vernon Nazarene University
- Muskingum University
- National College Cincinnati
- National College Columbus
- National College Dayton
- National College Stow
- National College Willoughby Hills
- National College Youngstown
- North Central State College
- Northwest State Community College
- Notre Dame College
- Oberlin College
- Ohio Business College Columbus
- Ohio Business College Sandusky
- Ohio Business College Sheffield
- Ohio Christian University
- Ohio College of Massotherapy Inc
- Ohio Dominican University
- Ohio Mid Western College
- Ohio Northern University
- Ohio State University
- Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
- Ohio State University Lima Campus
- Ohio State University Mansfield Campus
- Ohio State University Marion Campus
- Ohio State University Newark Campus
- Ohio University Chillicothe Campus
- Ohio University Eastern Campus
- Ohio University Lancaster Campus
- Ohio University Main Campus
- Ohio University Southern Campus
- Ohio University Zanesville Campus
- Ohio Valley College of Technology
- Ohio Wesleyan University
- Otterbein University
- Owens Community College
- Pontifical College Josephinum
- Professional Skills Institute
- Rabbinical College Telshe
- Remington College Cleveland Campus
- Remington College Cleveland West Campus
- Rosedale Bible College
- Sanford Brown College Middleburg Heights,
- School of Advertising Art Inc.
- Shawnee State University
- Sinclair Community College
- Southern State Community College
- Stark State College
- Stautzenberger College Brecksville
- Stautzenberger College Maumee
- Terra State Community College
- The Art Institute of Cincinnati
- The Art Institute of Ohio Cincinnati
- The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- The College of Wooster
- The University of Findlay
- Tiffin University
- Tri State Bible College
- Trumbull Business College
- Union Institute & University
- University of Akron Main Campus
- University of Akron Wayne College
- University of Cincinnati Clermont College
- University of Cincinnati Main Campus
- University of Cincinnati Raymond Walters College
- University of Dayton
- University of Mount Union
- University of Northwestern Ohio
- University of Phoenix Cincinnati Campus
- University of Phoenix Cleveland Campus
- University of Phoenix Columbus Ohio Campus
- University of Rio Grande
- University of Toledo
- Urbana University
- Ursuline College
- Vatterott College Cleveland
- Virginia Marti College of Art and Design
- Walsh University
- Washington State Community College
- Wilberforce University
- Wilmington College
- Wittenberg University
- Wright State University Lake Campus
- Wright State University Main Campus
- Xavier University
- Youngstown State University
- Zane State College
Approximately 10% of college students in the United States identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, or questioning according to studies and LGBTQ+ students should not feel alone when accused of sexual misconduct. As importantly, they should they not face such burdens alone or without the necessary support and guidance.
The reason LGBTQ+ students should not go through the Title IX process alone is because, as with all students accused of sexual misconduct, Title IX allegations and charges can change an accused student's life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process. It is critical to have a dedicated and experienced advocate when facing a challenge in life and Joseph D. Lento has more than a decade of experience passionately fighting for the future of LGBTQ+ students at universities and colleges throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead, prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York and serves as a Title IX advisor to students facing Title IX and disciplinary cases in Ohio and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
