Title IX
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. This law protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that:
“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 applies to any institution receiving federal financial assistance from the Department of Education, including state and local educational agencies. Educational programs and activities that receive federal funds from the Department of Education must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner. Also, a recipient may not retaliate against any person for opposing an unlawful educational practice or policy, or because a person made charges, testified or participated in any complaint action under Title IX.
You can find more information regarding Title IX at Harvard, including policies, procedures, and resources on the Title IX website.
The University’s newly developed Anonymous Disclosure Form provides an additional point of access for students, staff, and faculty.
Title IX Resource Coordinators
Title IX Resource Coordinators serve in a neutral role and support all members of the GSD community. Resource Coordinators have specialized experience in responding to disclosures of sexual and gender-based harassment in the Harvard community. They are also aware that your concerns may be of a sensitive nature and can offer supports to help you continue with your work or studies while maintaining appropriate discretion.
Contacting your Title IX Resource Coordinator is not the same as filing a formal complaint with the Office for Dispute Resolution. When you reach out to a Title IX Resource Coordinator, you are free to share as much or as little information as you feel comfortable.
Title IX Resource Coordinators for GSD Students
Kelly Wisnaskas
Gund Hall 420
48 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
[email protected]
(617) 496-8306
Laura DaRos
Gund Hall 420
48 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
[email protected]
(617) 496-1236
Title IX Resource Coordinators for GSD Staff
Lauren Baccus
7 Sumner Road, Room 203
Cambridge, MA 02138
[email protected]
(617) 495-4322
Sara Wilkinson
7 Sumner Road, Room 203
Cambridge, MA 02138
[email protected]
(617) 495-4322
Title IX Resource Coordinator for GSD Faculty
Pamela Baldwin
Gund Hall 414a
48 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
[email protected]
(617) 495-5409
Caroline P. Newton
Gund Hall 414
48 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
[email protected]
(617)-496-4871
Sexual Harassment/Assault Resources & Education (SHARE) Counselors
SHARE Counselors are a branch of the Office of Gender Equity who provide a range of confidential and privileged services to support individual and community healing from harm, as well as prevention education initiatives designed for Harvard students, faculty, staff, and post-doctoral students. Examples of confidential services provided by SHARE Counselors include:
- Crisis response and support to individuals impacted by harm, including interpersonal violence and abuse, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking
- Short-term counseling
- 24-hour confidential hotline (617) 495-9100 (note: this line connects to BARCC during the summer)
- Psychoeducational support groups
- Restorative practices and education for individuals who have caused harm
To learn more about SHARE services or to book an appointment, you may contact SHARE at:
SHARE Counselors
Smith Campus Center, Suite 624
1350 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
office phone: (617) 496-5636
24/7 confidential hotline: (617) 495-9100
email: [email protected]
Counseling and Mental Health Services
Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is a no-cost support service that works collaboratively across the University to support registered students who are experiencing some measure of distress in their lives.
For more information, please call (617) 495-2042, or (617) 495-5711 after hours.