Title IX Compliance
The Office of Title IX Compliance (Title IX Office) supports the University's commitment to providing a learning and working environment free from all forms of sex discrimination through training, education, and prevention programs that promote prompt reporting and response, and that eliminate sex discrimination, prevent its recurrence, and address its effect. Sex discrimination violates the core mission and values of the University and creating an environment free from discrimination is the responsibility of all members of the campus community. If you or a friend experiences sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct, report the incident via the online reporting form or contact the Tite IX Coordinator, Ms. Katsura Kurita, in-person at her office located in the Physical Education Complex (PEC) Room 224, by phone at (410) 951-6543, or by email at TitleIXCoordinator@coppin.edu or kkurita@coppin.edu. Resources, supportive measures, and grievance procedures along with the Notice of Rights and Options will be shared so that individuals can make an informed decision about the next steps.
If there is a conflict between the content on this website and the policies or laws, the latter will govern.
Coppin State University does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.
Questions about Title IX may be referred to Coppin State University’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights), or both. The University’s Title IX Coordinator is Ms. Katsura Kurita, and she may be reached at 2500 West North Avenue, Physical Education Complex Room 224, Baltimore, Maryland 21216, by phone at (410) 951-6543, and by email at TitleIXCoordinator@coppin.edu or kkurita@coppin.edu.
Coppin State University’s nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures related to sex discrimination can be located in the next section under "CSU Sexual Misconduct Policy."
To report about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to the Title IX Reporting Form.
Coppin State University (CSU) is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from sex discrimination including sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. CSU prohibits and will not tolerate sex discrimination. Sex discrimination prohibited by state and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as amended (“Title IX”) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and may constitute criminal activity.
Sexual Misconduct Policy (Incidents Before August 1, 2024)
For more information please refer to:
- Procedures for Allegations of Sex Discrimination and Other Prohibited Conduct - Incidents After August 1, 2024
- Procedures for Investigating and Resolving Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct - Incidents Before August 1, 2024
- USM’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct VI-1.60
- USM’s Policy of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation VI-1.05
There are a number of education and prevention initiatives that are offered to the campus community on an annual basis. The list of initiatives includes, but is not limited to:
- Large group session on sexual assault definitions, reporting options, supportive measures, prevention, and resources (on and off campus) during new undergraduate orientation;
- Online training for incoming undergraduate and graduate students that covers bystander intervention as well as University policy, procedures and resources regarding sexual misconduct;
- Regular training for students serving as resident assistants (RAs);
- Collaboration with student organizations (i.e., Greek Life, Student Government Association, among others), academic departments, and administrative offices for many events, including Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Take Back the Night, the Clothesline Project, and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month;
- Comprehensive passive education programs through digital media, social media, and print media;
- Title IX Coordinator serves as guest lecturer in the classroom and provides information on sexual misconduct definitions, reporting options, resources, and grievance procedures;
- Online training for faculty, staff, and administrators, including information on requirements for "Responsible Employees" on sexual harassment, sexual violence and reporting sexual misconduct;
- Ongoing sexual violence training for faculty, staff, and administrators who serve as investigators, hearing officers, informal resolution facilitators, advisors and Title IX Coordinators within the Title IX Grievance Process (see Training Materials for more information).
A Step By Step Guide For Faculty and Staff
As a Coppin State University faculty or staff member, you may be in a unique position to assist students and employees who have experienced sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, or other forms of sex discrimination. These individuals typically confide in people and colleagues that they trust. If you receive information relating to some form of sexual misconduct, please use the information to respond to and report the disclosure.
What is Sexual Misconduct?
Sexual Misconduct is defined in CSU’s Policy on Sex Discrimination and Other Sexual Misconduct as a broad term that encompasses sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and other forms of sexual misconduct. Sexual Misconduct can occur between strangers or acquaintances, including people involved in an intimate or sexual relationship. Sexual Misconduct can be committed by men or women and can occur between people of the same or different sex.
For the definition of consent and other terms related to Sexual Misconduct, please see the full Sex Discrimination Policy located at www.coppin.edu/hr/title9.
What Is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy and related conditions, and sexual misconduct behaviors that include, but are not limited to, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking in education programs and activities operated by institutions that receive federal funding
If a student discloses sexual misconduct to you:
Step 1: Care for the student
- Ensure they are safe
- Inform them of your duty to report before they share
- Listen and avoid judgmental questions—don’t ask any questions that start with “why”
- Tell the student that you believe them
Step 2: Connect the student with resources
- Center for Counseling and Student Development
- Community Health Center
- Off-campus resources
Step 3: Contact the University's Title IX Coordinator
Ms. Katsura Kurita
410-951-6543
kkurita@coppin.edu
What do I say?
Sexual Misconduct can be a difficult topic to discuss, particularly given your reporting responsibilities. Below is a suggestion for how you might respond to a student’s disclosure:
“I appreciate what you have been able to share with me. Before you tell me more, I want to let you know that I will need to contact Ms. Katsura Kurita, Coppin’s Title IX Coordinator. She helps to support students, can offer resources, and provide resolution options. She cares and will listen.”
Coppin State University Resources and Response
Coppin State University Office of Student Affairs: (410) 951-6399
- On-campus resource for students affected by sexual misconduct.
- Staff can provide support, information, and referrals to counseling services and health care professionals (on and off campus)
- Staff can support students to contact Public Safety or local law enforcement.
Please note that any relevant information disclosed during calls is shared with the Title IX Coordinator.
Sexual Misconduct On Campus: Responding To Students (printable version)
Displayed and listed below are resources for students to use for reporting a complaint of Sexual Harassment or Sex Discrimination. This document is meant to be a pocket resource for quick reference.
When a student or employee reports that they have experienced dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and other forms of sexual misconduct, the University provides a written explanation of their rights and options, whether the incident occurred on or off campus. The document linked below contains information about rights, options, and resources.
