The Office of Title IX supports UMW’s commitment to diverse and inclusive working and learning environments free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. We work to eliminate barriers inhibiting individuals from achieving their full potential in education, employment, and other programs at the University.
June 27, 2024
Dear Members of the Community,
As many of you are aware, the University of Montana Western along with the University of Montana has been working diligently since April to implement revised federal Title IX regulations, which were initially to go into effect August 1, 2024. Title IX governs UM’s and UMW’s response to sex-based harassment, sex discrimination, and sexual violence. Since April, 26 states have filed lawsuits to block the implementation of these new 2024 regulations. A lawsuit involving Montana was filed in federal court, and the judge granted a temporary injunction, meaning that the federal court has blocked implementation of the 2024 Title IX regulations until a trial can be held. The trial will not happen before August 1, 2024, thus the implementation deadline for the regulations will pass before this matter is resolved.
In the meantime, the 2020 Title IX regulations remain in effect as they have been for the last four years, and we will continue to train our employees to ensure continued compliance. Amidst evolving legal circumstances, our commitment to you, the members of our community remains unchanged – to maintain a safety and welcoming environment for all. We are closely monitoring the legal landscape and will continue to provide Title IX protections to our community consistent with law. We will provide additional community updates in the future when there is significant news to report. In the meantime, questions about Title IX compliance should be directed to: Pamela Altmaier, Title IX Coordinator, at 406-243-5710 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
Pamela Altmaier, Title IX Coordinator
Nicole Hazelbaker, Title IX Coordinator
Alicia Arant, AVP of Conflict, Resolution, & Policy
April 24, 2024
On April 19, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued new federal regulations governing how universities and colleges, including the University of Montana and the University of Montana Western, must address reported sex-based misconduct under Title IX, which is a federal statute that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funding. Title IX, together with other relevant civil rights laws and prior OCR guidance, form the basis of the University’s current Discrimination, Harassment, & Retaliation Policy and accompanied Grievance Procedures. The new regulations will require UM’s Office of Conflict, Resolution, & Policy (CRP), which includes the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, and UMW’s Title IX office to amend its existing investigatory and adjudicatory processes, but UM’s and UMW’s institutional commitment to stop, remedy, and prevent recurrence of discrimination remains unchanged. The University will continue to prohibit all forms of sex-based misconduct, address such reports in a fair and respectful manner, and provide supportive measures to the parties involved.
UMW along with UM is taking time to examine the new regulations, in collaboration with state and national partners, to determine how best to implement the required changes on our campus. Additionally, UM was awarded a grant through the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) to support effective, comprehensive responses to sex-based misconduct. Given the opportunities of the forthcoming Title IX regulations and the efforts of the OVW grant, CRP will be reviewing and intentionally updating its training offerings, policies and procedures, and response processes prior to August 1, when the final regulations go into effect. CRP will seek input from campus and community constituents as we proceed. UM will keep UMW informed of trainings and updates as well.
Sincerely,
Pamela Altmaier, Title IX Coordinator
Alicia Arant, AVP of Conflict, Resolution, & Policy
